MINISTERE DE L'ENSEIGNEMENT SUPERIEUR ET DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

Their core work

Algeria's national ministry responsible for higher education and scientific research policy, acting as the governmental gateway for EU-Africa research cooperation. In H2020, the ministry channels Algerian scientific capacity into joint EU-African research initiatives on food security, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy. It plays a policy and coordination role — setting national research priorities, co-funding joint calls through ERA-NET mechanisms, and connecting Algerian universities and research institutions to European consortia. Its value lies in opening access to North African research ecosystems and aligning national funding with EU programme objectives.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

The ministry's early H2020 engagement (2015-2018) centred on building EU-Africa research infrastructure — networking, coordinated funding mechanisms, and policy support through projects like RINEA and LEAP-AGRI. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted toward concrete thematic research on climate change, food security, and renewable energy through larger programmes like FOSC and LEAP-RE. This reflects a maturation from framework-building to active participation in substantive research partnerships.

Moving from policy scaffolding into thematic research delivery, especially at the climate-food-energy nexus — expect continued engagement in applied EU-Africa programmes.

How they like to work

Exclusively a participant, never a coordinator — consistent with its role as a national ministry joining large multilateral programmes rather than leading technical research. With 137 unique partners across 45 countries, it operates within very large consortia (typically ERA-NET or CSA formats involving dozens of national agencies). This makes it a reliable institutional partner for programmes requiring governmental buy-in and national co-funding, rather than a hands-on research contributor.

Exceptionally broad network of 137 partners across 45 countries, reflecting participation in large ERA-NET and CSA programmes that bring together national ministries and funding agencies from across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Geographic reach spans the EU-Africa corridor with particular strength in multilateral North-South partnerships.

What sets them apart

As Algeria's science ministry, it provides direct governmental access to the country's research system — something no university or private partner can offer. For consortium builders targeting North Africa or needing national co-funding commitments for ERA-NET calls, this is one of very few Algerian entities with a proven H2020 track record. Its participation signals institutional commitment and can unlock Algerian national research funding as matching contribution.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FOSC
  Largest funding share (EUR 129,628) and most ambitious scope — linking food systems and climate across three continents through 2025.
• LEAP-RE
  Long-running EU-AU renewable energy partnership (2020-2026) that evolved from the preparatory PRE-LEAP-RE, showing sustained institutional commitment.
• RINEA
  Their earliest H2020 project — established the EU-Africa research policy network that likely enabled all subsequent participations.