CRDF Global

Since 1995, CRDF Global has implemented global science and technology collaborations with governments and institutions in Eurasia, the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia. The growing network of CRDF Global's programs and services currently reaches more than 30 countries.

CRDF Global has an excellent track record administering programs and activities in the Azerbaijan Republic. As a nonprofit, we have earned a reputation in the country as a disinterested catalyst for advancing the general state of science and tech-driven innovation while supporting the development of its next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs. We work in partnership with the Azeri government and key scientific institutions to promote science-industry linkages, build infrastructure through equipment grants; encourage regional collaboration and develop human capital.

In 2002 CRDF Global has established the Azerbaijan National Science Foundation (ANSF) in cooperation with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) in 2002 to promote a competition-based, fully transparent method of distributing S&T funding in the country. We also have offices in the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Jordan and partner organizations CRDF Global helped establish in Armenia and Georgia.

CRDF Global draws on a deeply experienced staff and over 18,000 scientists, technology and innovation consultants to implement our programs. We have established efficient mechanisms to disburse funds to individuals and organizations in Azerbaijan, assist with equipment procurement, logistics, travel support, conference planning, and governmental authorizations. CRDF Global provides these same program management and administration services to commercial, governmental and non-governmental clients at a fraction of the cost of building their own network. Our modest size and local affiliate permit quick and flexible responses tailored to our clients' needs.

CRDF Global has allocated over $3 million to its Azerbaijan programs, with tangible results:

• Organized and hosted a major national conference on building a knowledge-based economy that brought government decision-makers together with international experts for two days of discussions about Azerbaijan's national priorities and strategic directions;

• Conducted a number of business skills training sessions and offered seed funding to promote ties between local innovative scientists and businesses and help them commercialize technologies;

• Made eight $10,000-seed grants to promote early stage collaborations between Azerbaijani scientists and local companies. Azerbaijan Ministry of Economic Development, Azerbaijan Ministry of Communications and IT and ANAS partnered with CRDF Global to implement this program and offer applied research grants to the competitively-selected business-science teams.

• Supported thirty-six research collaborations valued at $1.7 million between scientists and engineers of Azerbaijan and the U.S., $1.1 million of which were co-financed on a 50/50 basis with the Government of Azerbaijan;

• Funded six scientific equipment grants-four of which were cosponsored with ANAS-to modernize Azerbaijani research laboratories to world-class standards;

• Made an award to Baku State University to establish a modern, well equipped, interdisciplinary center to integrate environmental science research into the academic curricula and provide new opportunities for young investigators in biology, chemistry and geology (co-funded with the Ministry of Education).

• Supported ANSF's initiative aimed at establishing a Scientific Center of Innovative Research (SCIR) in cooperation with CRDF Global-funded Azerbaijan Ecological Laboratory (AzEcoLab), which is a laboratory located at the Institute of Radiation Problems of ANAS. The value of the project is approximately $230,000 with funding provided by the Government of Azerbaijan and CRDF Global. The SCIR has become a modern center with state-of-the-art scientific equipment, in which leading Azerbaijani scientists are working to solve renewable energy, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental and other significant issues in the country. The scientists employed at the Center are able to take on purchase orders from local and foreign organizations (including the Government of Azerbaijan and local major businesses) to conduct much needed applied research and analytical lab work. The Center also offers entrepreneurship and commercialization trainings as well as IPR protections and tech transfer advice to local scientific community.

Company website: www.crdf.org