Grants have been allocated to entities in Abu Dhabi for research in the fields of aerospace, education and social sciences, energy, environment, food and agriculture, health, information and communication technologies and manufacturing. Photo for illustrative purposes only.
Image Credit: Gulf News Archives
Abu Dhabi: A total of Dh40 million in research funding has been awarded to 53 research and development projects in eight key sectors in Abu Dhabi.
The funds were provided by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), which is mandated to shape Abu Dhabi’s research and development strategy and its advanced technology ecosystem. Project funds will be managed by Aspire, ATRC’s technology program management pillar, through its two programs – Aspire Award for Research Excellence (AARE) and Aspire Young Investigator Award (AYIA).
Grants were awarded to entities in the fields of aerospace, education and social sciences, energy, environment, food and agriculture, health, information and communication technologies and manufacturing.
“Exceptionally high level of entries”
Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of ATRC
“As a core priority of ATRC, we are delighted to play our role in collaboration with higher education institutions across the country to incubate research projects that will contribute to the common good and encourage sustainable progress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and beyond. The ATRC congratulates the winners and congratulates all participants on the exceptionally high level of enrollment in Aspire programs this year. “
“Aspire will manage the distribution of grants to our two main research programs which aim to foster a healthy competitive spirit and highlight the most useful and cutting-edge projects. Such projects can now seamlessly move from concept to completion and from lab to market without disruption, to ensure a transformative global impact, ”said Dr Arthur Morrish, CEO of Aspire.
Due weight
Fellows were selected from 370 proposals in both programs. An international group of peer reviewers from leading research institutions around the world reduced the large number of initial proposals based on criteria such as quality and originality of the research, feasibility of the proposal, relevance for the strategic sectors of Abu Dhabi, the qualifications of the candidates, the potential impact on the sector and the development of human capital. In addition, appropriate weighting was given to applications demonstrating collaboration with industry, as well as inter-institutional and educational STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) engagement.
Advance scientific and technological development
The AARE grant was open to all full-time faculty from higher education institutes geographically located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, funding for the AYIA program, which amounted to MAD 1 million, was allocated to six outstanding research proposals in targeted thematic areas. The competitive funding program was open to young researchers from Abu Dhabi who are within six years of graduating from graduation (PhD or equivalent).
Research funded by the two programs is expected to advance scientific and technological development in Abu Dhabi, as well as foster meaningful partnerships between Abu Dhabi scientists and key academic and industrial players nationally and globally.
