Rabat – A new partnership signed in Rabat will fund 50 doctoral scholarships in energy transition and sustainable development.

Signed by Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali and Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation Azeddine El Midaoui, the program aims to strengthen Morocco’s research capacity and train the next generation of sustainability experts.

Benali described it as “an investment in Morocco’s future and its youth,” noting that it will fund around 50 PhD researchers working on renewable energy, energy transition, and climate change. 

The initiative aligns with Morocco’s long-term vision to embed sustainability at the core of its scientific research and innovation policies, which in turn are in line with the National Sustainable Development Strategy 2035, she said.

Benali added that this partnership reflects Morocco’s strategic approach to prioritize human capital in advancing the country’s energy transition goals. 

“Morocco needs highly trained specialists capable of designing and implementing the solutions that will drive its transition,” the minister added.

El Midaoui welcomed the signing of the agreement, emphasizing that “youth are the backbone and one of the strategic levers for accompanying Morocco’s technological and scientific transformations.”

He underlined the importance of training qualified researchers to contribute to the country’s major national projects, including technological autonomy, digital transition, and environmental sustainability.

Running from 2026 to 2028, the program will be financed entirely by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, with a total budget of MAD 63 million ($6.1 million). 

The National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) will oversee the implementation and monitoring of beneficiaries.

The initiative aims to expand Morocco’s pool of specialized researchers as well as to encourage doctoral students to develop innovative solutions addressing the country’s most pressing environmental challenges, ranging from renewable energy and green hydrogen to the circular economy and climate resilience.