The Institute of Middle East for Public Policy IMEPP Nonresident Fellowship
The Institute of Middle East for Public Policy (IMEPP) Nonresident Fellowship Program supports researchers, analysts, and emerging experts interested in economics and public policy from a liberal perspective, with a focus on producing practical knowledge and policy solutions that contribute to building more just, transparent, and efficient societies across the Middle East and North Africa region.
The program launches its first phase in 2026 with a particular focus on Egypt, driven by the belief that economic issues cannot be separated from the core sectors that shape citizens’ daily lives, including healthcare, education, housing, food security, and social justice. The fellowship seeks to support a new generation of researchers capable of developing economic approaches and public policy solutions grounded in economic freedom, institutional efficiency, and sustainability, while linking economic reform to broader social and developmental needs.
Each year, the program brings together a cohort of fellows to work on policy papers and analyses addressing the region’s most pressing challenges, while providing opportunities for training, mentorship, and engagement with experts and institutions working in public policy and governance. The program also aims to contribute to deeper public discussions on economics and policymaking in the region and to amplify emerging research voices capable of bridging academic analysis with practical realities.
While the fellowship begins with a focus on the Egyptian context, the Institute of Middle East for Public Policy aims to expand the program in the future to cover additional countries and issues across the Middle East and North Africa, fostering regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and shared policy learning.
Ahmed Maher
A civil engineer and researcher in international relations with over 20 years of experience in construction project management, as well as network infrastructure, water treatment, and recycling projects. He has been actively engaged for more than 15 years in supporting democratic transition and human rights and has participated in numerous initiatives related to environmental justice and addressing climate change. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, along with several specialized diplomas in political science, civil society, and NGO management. He was a co-founder and coordinator of the April 6 Youth Movement and a member of the Coalition of Revolutionary Youth. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in international relations at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Alexandria University.
Saneya Elfiky
Researcher at the Economic Unit of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies. She previously worked as a researcher at the Alternative Policy Solutions Center; a research initiative affiliated with the American University in Cairo. Her research interests focus on public policy and development issues, as well as Egypt’s international economic relations with Africa. She has authored numerous articles and studies on health, education, and poverty policies in Egypt, in addition to economic and trade relations with Nile Basin countries.
Ahmed El-Tir
is a real estate and investment professional with a strong focus on finance, policy, and cross-border capital flows. He holds a Master of Science in Commercial Real Estate Finance & Investment from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Trinity College. Ahmed has worked in roles involving underwriting, financial modeling, and asset-level analysis within real estate and investment, with experience spanning both U.S. and Middle Eastern markets. He is particularly interested in the intersection of public policy and capital markets, including how regulatory frameworks, housing policy, and investment structures shape real estate development and economic growth.
Omar Ezzelarab
A healthcare and public policy leader with over a decade of experience in health systems reform, hospital operations, digital transformation, and quality improvement. He is currently pursuing a master’s in public administration at Harvard Kennedy School as an Edward S. Mason Fellow and is a participant in the Child Protection Program at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights. His work has focused on advancing healthcare delivery, accreditation, and digital transformation across major public and hospital systems in Egypt
Mahmoud Saeed
A research and evaluation professional working at the intersection of development economics, public economics, and evidence-based policymaking. His work focuses on generating and applying rigorous evidence to inform policy design, implementation, and evaluation, with particular emphasis on how data and empirical methods can improve the effectiveness and accountability of public interventions. He has contributed to many impact evaluations and policy-relevant research in the MENA region and collaborated with international partners and engaged in applied policy analysis. Mahmoud holds a master’s degree in public policy and dual bachelor’s degrees in economics, which have provided him with a strong foundation in economic analysis and quantitative methods. His experience spans impact evaluation, data analysis, and policy research, reflecting a consistent interest in advancing data-driven approaches to public policy that are both methodologically sound and contextually grounded.
