$200 million budget approved for next phase of Dubai RDI
Dubai RDI aims to add $5.5 billion to GDP, creating 120,000 jobs by 2033
#UAE #R&D - Dubai has allocated AED 750 million ($204 million) to the next phase of the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation (Dubai RDI) Programme, which aims to transform the emirate into a global innovation hub. Led by the Dubai Future Foundation, the programme will contribute AED 20 billion ($5.45 billion) annually to GDP by 2033, creating 120,000 jobs, and supporting the formation of 600 startups. Dubai RDI also plans to launch a Dubai Institute for Future Research.
SO WHAT? - Launched in 2022, Dubai RDI will support the emirate’s economic growth by providing a comprehensive framework for research, development and innovation. The programme’s mandate includes research, development, innovation, governance of projects, R&D initiatives, research funding and legislation. By aligning public-private partnerships, scaling R&D investments, and targeting high-growth sectors, Dubai aims to set a benchmark for urban innovation and economic transformation. Although a number of R&D initiatives have been launched, this is the first budget that has been publically announced for Dubai RDI.
Here are some more details about Dubai RDI and the budget announcement:
A new budget was announced for Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) this week following a meeting of The Executive Council of Dubai, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. Dubai RDI was one of the items on the council’s agenda.
The Executive Council approved the objectives for the next phase of the Dubai RDI Programme, allocating a budget of AED 750 million ($204 million) for the next three years.
Managed by the Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai RDI was launched in 2022 with a brief to position Dubai as a leading global hub for innovation and R&D. By 2033, the programme aims to contribute AED 20 billion ($5.45 billion) annually to Dubai’s GDP, create 120,000 new jobs, and support the formation of 600 innovative startups.
During its next phase, Dubai RDI will focus on forging partnerships with global universities and research centres, increasing private sector R&D spending to 50% of total investments, and raising the innovation sector’s contribution to GDP to 2.5%.
Dubai RDI will also launch the Institute for Future Research to strengthen collaboration with academic and research institutions worldwide.
In September, the Dubai RDI Grant Initiative was announced to support up to 20 research projects focusing on two RDI priority sectors: Cognitive Cities and Health and Life Sciences, leveraging AI and robotics systems.
Dubai RDI’s strategic prorities are:
Health and Wellbeing
Environmental Technology
Smart Built Infrastructure
Space and Augmented Human-Machine Intelligence
ZOOM OUT - Although R&D is a new focus for the Dubai Government, some leading state-owned organisations in Dubai already have research programmes in place. For example, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) officially opened the DEWA R&D Centre in 2020 at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Focused on energy and water resources, and related technologies, the centre has 40 researchers. Meanwhile, the Emirates Group has a variety of research, development and innovation programmes. These include The Innovation Majlis (an R&D platform launched last year) and collaborative initiatives such as the Emirates Centre of Excellence for Aviation Robotics (ECEAR), which is being developed together with Dubai Future Foundation.
Read more about national R&D strategy:
Dubai RDI announces research grants (Middle East AI News)
R&D moves up Abu Dhabi's agenda (Middle East AI News)
Making R&D a national priority (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi's latest R&D milestone (Middle East AI News)
UAE puts R&D on the national agenda (Middle East AI News)