The Canary Islands and Morocco have announced their first joint call for research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) project funding, set to launch by the end of 2025. The initiative will be co-funded by the Government of the Canary Islands and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), supporting scientific and technical projects carried out collaboratively by researchers from both sides, under the supervision of their respective universities. The announcement was made during an official ceremony attended by Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo, the presidents of the Universities of Las Palmas and La Laguna, UM6P President Hicham El Habti, and Higher Education Advisor Migdalia Machín. An agreement was signed to establish the technical and organizational framework for the initiative. Clavijo highlighted the project's significance in strengthening ties with Morocco and fostering a shared «scientific community» to address global challenges. He called for the creation of a prominent hub of cooperation in key fields such as energy, water, food security, and health. For his part, El Habti underscored the value of scientific cooperation in tackling common issues like climate change and agricultural resilience. He noted that joint research projects and student exchanges represent a model of «science diplomacy». The initiative is also designed to open doors for Moroccan and Canary researchers to access additional funding, including programs from the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) in North Africa, while reinforcing the role of universities in generating innovative solutions through cross-border collaboration. This joint effort builds on the momentum of the «Africa Canarias Challenge», a program supporting entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa, including in Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. During the event, a new student exchange program was also announced between the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC) and UM6P. As part of the initiative, four Moroccan students will carry out professional internships this summer at institutions across the Canary Islands.
