The Researcher platform is the first national scientific research-funding platform. Researches are funded under three main programmes: Sandooq Al Watan Fellowship programme, SWARD programme and grants programme.
Researcher.ae is the first national scientific research-funding platform launched by Sandooq Al Watan. It provides the UAE’s researchers with support and funding required for their innovative researches and projects. Researchers can also contact local and international networks of researchers and keep up with the latest discoveries in the global society.
The platform aims to push new ideas and inventions and promote innovation across all sectors. It aims to diversify the UAE’s economy and bring a positive economic and social impact on the UAE and the world.
Researches are funded under three main programmes which are: Sandooq Al Watan Fellowship programme, SWARD programme and grants programme.
Sandooq Al Watan’s Fellowship Programme seeks to support students and innovators in implementing small-scale applied scientific research. It aims to create a cadre of young researchers and enhance the innovation culture. The programme has three categories: independent projects, undergraduate projects and graduate projects.
Independent project
Independent projects will be open to all members of the public and innovators who are interested in scientific research and technology. Creative ideas can come from anyone whether an innovator, an academician, an entrepreneur or a scientist. Sandooq Al Watan's Fellowship Programme encourages the public to take part in building the R&D culture in the UAE.
To be qualified to get an independent project grant, the researcher must:
Only purpose-driven and applied scientific research proposals will be considered.
The average funding for each research will be between 5,000 and 10,000 (five thousand and ten thousand) AED. In certain cases and given reasonable justification, researchers can apply for additional funding of no more than 25,000 (twenty five thousand) AED.
Read about the application process, evaluation criteria, terms, conditions and timeline for applying for an independent project.
Undergraduate project
Undergraduate project will support talented university undergraduates through funding their research projects. The programme is designed to foster UAE talents and encourage university-level students to partake in scientific research projects.
To qualify for the undergraduate project grant, the researcher must:
Only purpose-driven and applied scientific research proposals will be considered. The average funding for each research will be between 5,000 and 10,000 (five thousand and ten thousand) AED. In certain cases and given reasonable justification, researchers can apply for additional funding of no more than 25,000 (twenty five thousand) AED.
Graduate project
The graduate project will specially focus on graduate students to assist the development of their research projects. Sandooq Al Watan is committed to nurturing the R&D culture in the UAE through encouraging graduate students to build on their previous work and advance their scientific research.
To qualify for the graduate project grant, the researcher must:
Only purpose-driven and applied scientific research proposals will be considered. The average funding for each research should be between 5,000 and 10,000 (five thousand and ten thousand) AED. In certain cases and given reasonable justification, researchers can apply for additional funding of no more than 25,000 (twenty five thousand) AED.
The SWARD program seeks to bridge the gap between academia and industry in the UAE to deliver tangible social and economic outcomes to the country. The programme supports medium to large-scale projects across four areas which are: aerospace and defence, water management, healthcare and genomics, and fourth industrial revolution.
Aerospace and defence
The UAE is one of the major aerospace hubs with its national airline Etihad, being at the forefront of the aviation industry. Many of today’s commonly used products were originally military and defence-based research projects. Microwaves, medical scanners, cameras, and navigation devices are some of the examples. Therefore, the UAE seeks to pioneer the aerospace and defence technologies. Funding aerospace and defence researches focus on remote and thermal sensing, composite materials and astronautics.
Water management
Water scarcity is one of the biggest global concerns around the world, particularly in the Middle East region. The crucial need for innovative solutions drove the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy to prioritise the water sector. Funding water researches focus on two sectors: water desalination and wastewater treatment, water reuse and recycling.
Healthcare and genomics
Developing a world-class health system is of a crucial importance to sustain both the social and economic development of a nation. In line with this vision, the National Innovation Strategy prioritised the healthcare sector and promoted innovation in the delivery of healthcare services. Funding health researches focus on genomics and bioinformatics and biomedical robotics and devices.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
The fourth industrial revolution is a global future vision for putting together physical, digital and biological technologies to deliver unprecedented services across various sectors. The UAE’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Strategy was announced with the vision to make the UAE a leading global hub and an open lab for the fourth industrial revolution applications.
Read about the eligibility criteria, proposal preparation, evaluation and timeline for applying for the SWARD program.
The grants programme is a one-stop shop where researchers will find announcements of various funding opportunities offered by other entities in the UAE.
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