Dubai Resilience
Challenge Fund

Upcoming 2026 Round of the Dubai RDI Grants Initiative

We are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the first Challenge Fund under the Dubai RDI Grants Initiative.

The theme of this round will be Resilience.

This notice is issued in advance so that Dubai-based universities and research institutions can begin preparing and forming the required partnerships before the formal Call for Proposals is released. The application window is expected to open in Q2 2026 (final dates will be confirmed in the formal Call).

Upcoming Due Dates

Call for Application:

15th April 2025

Workshop introducing the program:

22nd April 2025

Submission deadline:

30th May 2025 18:00 KST(Korea), 00:00 GST (UAE)

Announcement of selected projects:

September 2025

Theme: Resilience

This round will fund projects that strengthen Dubai’s ability to:

bullseye-arrow
Anticipate pressures
Absorb shocks
Adapt operations
Maintain continuity and productivity across critical systems

Projects must clearly demonstrate how they improve real-world resilience in Dubai.

Mechanism: Challenge Fund

This round will use a Challenge Fund mechanism.

The Challenge Fund is a problem-led grant model. DFF will define priority challenges aligned with Dubai’s strategic goals, and proposals must respond directly to those challenges.

Unlike traditional investigator-led research grants, this fund is focused on:

  • Deliverable solutions
  • Testing in real operational environments
  • Clear pathways to adoption, scaling, or commercialization

This round is not intended to fund research for publication alone. Projects must show a clear pathway to practical use, operational uptake, or commercial development.

Thematic Focus

Resilience proposals must fall within one of the three RDI focus areas:

Cognitive Cities
Health & Life Sciences
Environmental Science

Specific challenge statements under each area will be detailed in the formal Call.

Projects that do not clearly align with Resilience within one of these three areas are unlikely to be competitive.

Collaboration – Partnership is Essential

All proposals must be led by Principal Investigators (PIs)* who are fully affiliated with a Dubai-based university or research institution.

Projects must be developed and delivered through a consortium that includes:

  • Government entities and/or
  • Industry partners

In many cases, three-way partnerships (University + Government + Industry) are expected. In other cases, University + Government or University + Industry may be more appropriate where involving a third party would not add clear value.

Partnerships must be active and substantive. Government and/or industry partners are expected to help define the problem, co-develop the solution, and enable testing in real operational settings.

Proposals without meaningful partner involvement in design and testing are very unlikely to be prioritized.

What Happens Next

The formal Call for Proposals will be issued in Q2 2026 and will include:

  • Detailed challenge statements
  • Funding structure
  • Application process
  • Assessment criteria and timeline

How to Prepare

Universities and research institutions are encouraged to:

  • Assess internal strengths within the three focus areas
  • Identify relevant government and industry partners
  • Begin shaping practical, solution-oriented concepts
  • Consider pathways to deployment or commercialization

*Principal Investigators (PIs)

  • PIs must have a PhD degree in a field relevant to RDI focus areas.
  • PIs must have a track record of research excellence.
  • PIs who applied in the previous rounds are eligible apply.
  • PIs who were awarded previously are eligible to submit.