SFAX UNIVERSITY

Their core work

Sfax University is a Tunisian higher education institution with two distinct research strengths: social sciences addressing radicalization, governance, and cultural heritage in North Africa, and biomedical research focused on epilepsy genetics and the human microbiome. They serve as a key bridge between European research networks and the MENA region, frequently coordinating capacity-building projects that strengthen research infrastructure in Tunisia. Their work spans from community resilience against violent extremism to advanced genomic diagnostics for neurological disorders.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Sfax University entered H2020 in 2017 through social sciences — radicalization, inequality, and cultural heritage in the Tunisian transition context. From 2019 onward, they expanded significantly into biomedical research, coordinating projects on epilepsy genetics (SEED) and the human microbiome (MICAfrica), while maintaining their social sciences work through PAVE. This shift signals a deliberate institutional strategy to build hard-science research capacity alongside their established social sciences base.

Sfax University is pivoting toward genomics and biomedical research infrastructure, making them increasingly relevant for health-science collaborations targeting North Africa.

How they like to work

Sfax University leads more often than it follows — coordinating 3 out of 5 projects, all of which are Widening Participation actions designed to strengthen their own institutional capacity. Their 37 partners across 21 countries indicate a broad, hub-style network rather than a tight cluster of repeat collaborators. This pattern suggests they are effective at attracting European partners for capacity-building but are still developing long-term bilateral research relationships.

Sfax University has worked with 37 unique partners across 21 countries, reflecting a wide but relatively shallow network typical of Widening Participation beneficiaries building their first major European research connections.

What sets them apart

Sfax University is one of the few Tunisian institutions active as a coordinator in H2020, giving them direct experience managing EU-funded projects — a rare asset in the MENA region. Their dual expertise in social sciences (radicalization, governance) and biomedical genomics is unusual and positions them as a versatile partner for interdisciplinary consortia. For any project needing a credible North African partner with EU project management experience, they are a strong candidate.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SEED
  Largest single grant (EUR 351K) and coordinator role — built genomic diagnostics capacity for epileptic encephalopathies, a significant biomedical infrastructure investment.
• MICAfrica
  Ambitious coordinator-led effort to create a North African Human Microbiome Consortium, positioning Sfax as a regional hub for microbiome research.
• DARE
  Multi-country study on radicalization and equality that established Sfax University's credentials in sensitive social science research across Europe and MENA.