Dubai RDI announces research grants
Dubai RDI announces research grants
Dubai RDI to offer grants for AI, robotics, smart cities & life sciences
#UAE #R&D - His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has approved the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Grant Initiative. The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) initiative will provide funding for up to 20 research projects in sectors such as AI, robotics, cognitive cities, healthcare and life sciences. The initiative aims to enhance Dubai's position as a global leader in scientific research.
SO WHAT? - Dubai formed the Dubai Research and Development Programme in 2022 together with a council to oversee its activities. The programme has four priorities: health and well-being, environmental technology, smart built infrastructure, and space and augmented human-machine intelligence. However, many investors in the region are hesitant to invest in R&D and so government-backed funding is vital to nurture and progress local research. The new grant initiative aims to not only boost research projects in priority areas, but also foster collaboration between public and private sectors towards building Dubai’s R&D ecosystem
Here are some key points regarding the announcement:
Dubai has announced the Dubai RDI Grant Initiative, as part of the Dubai Research and Development Programme, launched in 2022 under the Dubai Future Foundation.
The initiative will support up to 20 research projects in its first phase, prioritising technology research in cognitive cities, health and life sciences.
Cognitive cities research will include projects on smart mobility, traffic management, smart grids, and proptech.
Health and life sciences projects will explore precision medicine, preventive genetic sequencing, and cell-cultured foods.
The new grant programme will encourage technology research in artificial intelligence and robotics systems, with applications such as fintech, natural language processing, and innovative robotic solutions for logistics and construction.
Dubai Future Foundation will collaborate with local and international partners, including universities, research institutions, and private companies, to drive research projects under the programme.
The initiative aims to position Dubai as a destination of choice for regional and global scientists.
The grant supports Dubai’s economic sectors by promoting high-impact research that addresses both local and global challenges.
ZOOM OUT - Dubai has historically been known as a leading international entrepôt serving the Middle East and Africa with cargo, logistics and services. As an established hub for global technology companies, in recent years it has proved to be very successful in attracting AI and other emerging technology startups from all over the world. However, R&D is a new focus for the emirate. Meanwhile, neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi has invested billions of dollars in R&D over the past seven years, attracting thousands of researchers from all over the world. Whilst Abu Dhabi relies on government funding to drive its growth R&D, Dubai is likely to focus more on public-private sector partnerships to fund research.