Egypt’s ITIDA Opens Round 41 With EGP 5M ICT Funding

Egypt’s ITIDA has opened the ITAC CFP Round 41, offering up to EGP 5M in ITIDA ICT funding for product development projects. Applications for this round close on October 29, 2026.

Applications for the active Product Development Projects (PDPs) category are open until October 29, 2026. ITIDA says the program is designed to move products from proof-of-concept or prototype stages toward commercially ready products.

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Understanding ITIDA ICT Funding Opportunities

ITAC connects Egypt’s ICT industry with universities and research institutions. This gives companies access to research capabilities while creating a pathway for academic research to reach the market.

The program supports two types of Collaborative Funded Projects: Preliminary Research Projects (PRPs) and Product Development Projects (PDPs).

PRPs are intended to turn ideas into proof-of-concept projects. University faculty can lead one-year PRPs, with funding of up to EGP 700,000 for projects expected to result in a startup and EGP 350,000 where the project ends at the proof-of-concept stage.

Round 41 PDP Requirements

Round 41 is currently accepting PDP applications. It targets projects that already have a proof of concept or prototype and require further development before commercialization.

Under Round 41, PDP funding can reach EGP 5 million, with projects expected to be completed within 18 months. ITIDA defines a proof of concept as evidence that a technology or methodology works, which can include published research, a patent, or promising preliminary research results.

A prototype, meanwhile, is a functioning but potentially incomplete product that may require further research, additional features, or customization. The intended outcome of a PDP is a finished product that meets commercial specifications and is ready for the market. (ITID

Eligible Technology and Strategic Areas

Proposals must fall within ITAC’s technology-trend or strategic areas.

Technology areas include artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data analytics, virtual and augmented reality, cloud and quantum computing, blockchain, wireless technologies, cybersecurity, hyper automation and robotics, IoT, electronics, and embedded systems.

Strategic areas include ICT applications in health, agriculture, disability services, education, energy, transportation, and digital transformation.

That broad scope means the funding is not limited to conventional software products. Projects can apply emerging technologies to sectors where digital tools could address specific commercial or societal needs.

Application Guidelines and Next Steps

Companies applying for ITAC funding must be registered in ITIDA’s Companies Database. Proposals must also be led by a principal investigator with a strong research background capable of executing the proposed research plan.

The program’s structure is intended to strengthen research capabilities within Egyptian companies while bringing universities and research institutes closer to commercial product development.

ITIDA has previously described the program as a pathway that moves products from ideas through proof of concept and prototyping to market-ready solutions.

The immediate opportunity for Egyptian ICT companies is Round 41’s PDP window, which opened on September 1 and closes on October 29, 2026.

The next milestone will be the projects selected from the round and the technologies they bring closer to commercialization. AI, cybersecurity, IoT, robotics, cloud computing, and digital transformation are among the areas where successful projects could contribute to Egypt’s growing technology ecosystem.

ITAC also organizes WriteIT seminars and webinars ahead of CFP rounds to help prospective applicants understand the program, address questions, and prepare their proposals.

For Egypt’s ICT sector, the significance of Round 41 goes beyond the funding itself. By linking companies with researchers and directing support toward products that can move toward commercialization, ITAC is helping build a pipeline of locally developed technologies with potential applications across both the technology sector and the wider economy