Source : WAM
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced its support for 26 research projects led by 14 universities and academic institutions in Dubai, marking the conclusion of the second cycle of the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Grant Initiative.
The initiative is part of the Dubai RDI Programme under the Dubai RDI Ecosystem, established following directives from H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the DFF Board of Trustees.
Managed by DFF, the Ecosystem serves as an integrated platform to advance research, development, and innovation across the emirate.
The funded projects were selected from 358 submissions received from universities and research institutions across Dubai. After a multi-stage evaluation, 73 projects advanced to the final stage, with the top proposals receiving funding of up to AED1.5 million each.
The second cycle involved 172 researchers from the UAE and abroad, alongside collaborations with 44 institutions across the UAE and 12 countries, including Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the USA.
Submissions were assessed based on alignment with Dubai’s priority RDI areas, potential for partnerships, contribution to capacity building, innovation in methodology and outcomes, expected impact across strategic sectors, and budget efficiency.
This cycle focused on two main areas: Future Cities, and Health and Life Sciences. Future Cities research addressed smart mobility, next-generation built environments and infrastructure, climate-resilient urban systems, and the use of urban health data to enhance quality of life. Health and Life Sciences research focused on biological discoveries and systems science, clinical and applied health, health innovation and biomedical engineering, as well as biomanufacturing and synthetic biology.
Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Research, Development and Innovation at DFF, said the strong participation reflects the growing momentum of scientific research and innovation in Dubai and highlights the emirate’s commitment to supporting researchers and innovators.
He added that the initiative plays a key role in funding high-impact research and pioneering ideas that address critical sector needs, contribute to a diversified and sustainable digital economy, and enhance Dubai’s competitiveness in strategic future sectors.
The funded projects involve a diverse group of academic institutions in Dubai, including the University of Birmingham Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, American University in Dubai, University of Dubai, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Zayed University, Emirates Aviation University, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, Canadian University Dubai, Amity University Dubai, and the Higher Colleges of Technology.
The Dubai RDI Programme aims to develop evidence-based, test-driven solutions to local and global challenges, enhance productivity across priority sectors, and create new pathways that drive economic value.
