MINISTERE DE L'ENSEIGNEMENT SUPERIEUR, DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE ET DE L'INNOVATION

Their core work

Morocco's Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation is the national authority responsible for research and innovation policy across the country. In H2020, it acts as Morocco's institutional gateway for EU-Africa and EU-Mediterranean research cooperation, channeling participation in joint programming initiatives on food security, renewable energy, ecosystem restoration, and innovation governance. The ministry facilitates Moroccan research institutions' integration into European research networks and helps shape shared research agendas between the EU and Mediterranean/African partner countries.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Early participation (2016–2018) centered on building institutional frameworks: joint research agendas, innovation ecosystem design, and smart specialization strategies for the Mediterranean region (4PRIMA, 5TOI_4EWAS). From 2019 onward, the ministry shifted toward thematic participation in large-scale ERA-NET and RIA projects tackling concrete challenges — climate-food security, renewable energy, and biodiversity restoration across Africa and Europe. The trajectory moves from policy architecture toward applied, cross-continental research coordination on environmental and climate themes.

The ministry is increasingly positioning itself as a bridge for EU-Africa joint research on climate, energy, and ecosystems — expect continued focus on cross-continental environmental cooperation.

How they like to work

Exclusively a participant, never a coordinator — consistent with its role as a national ministry facilitating access rather than leading technical research. It joins very large consortia (171 unique partners across 60 countries), acting as Morocco's institutional anchor in broad multilateral frameworks. This means partnering with them provides a direct channel to Moroccan research policy and institutional support, but technical work will be done by other consortium members.

Remarkably wide network for just 5 projects: 171 unique partners across 60 countries, reflecting participation in large ERA-NET cofunds and CSA coordination actions that span EU member states, African Union countries, and Mediterranean partners.

What sets them apart

As a national ministry rather than a university or research center, this organization provides something most partners cannot: governmental legitimacy and policy-level access in Morocco. For any consortium needing North African government engagement — whether for renewable energy deployment, agricultural policy alignment, or environmental governance — this ministry is the institutional entry point. Morocco's position as a key EU-Africa bridge country makes this particularly valuable for projects spanning both continents.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 4PRIMA
  Foundation project that shaped the PRIMA partnership — one of the largest EU-Mediterranean research initiatives, directly influencing the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the region.
• LEAP-RE
  Flagship long-term EU-African Union renewable energy partnership running through 2026, positioning Morocco in continental-scale energy research cooperation.
• BiodivRestore
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 51,571) and broadest environmental scope — covering terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystem restoration across multiple continents.