Research Centres
Funding

This annual funding program is designed to provide long-term support for establishing multidisciplinary research centres that serve as anchors of excellence in Dubai. The program is highly competitive, and only two research centres to be selected in the first round.

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

Key Dates

Key Dates Timeline
September 1, 2025
Call for Expression of Interest opens
September 12, 2025
Deadline for the submission of the Expression of Interest
October 6, 2025
Open Full proposal submissions
October 30, 2025
Close Full proposal submissions
December, 2025
Selection of funded centres

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

Program Summary

Purpose

To consolidate talent, infrastructure, and partnerships across government, academia, and industry, ensuring continuity, fostering commercialisation, and creating hubs that catalyse innovation clusters aligned with Dubai’s strategic priorities.

Focus Areas

  • Cognitive Cities
  • Health and Life Sciences

Project Duration

  • Funding of two research centres annually, each for up to five years.

Funding Range

  • Support of up to AED 7M per centre per year.

Program Objectives

  1. Establish flagship hubs that reinforce Dubai's position as a globally competitive innovation hub.
  2. Deliver tangible benefits to the community, while advancing both local and international research agendas.
  3. Generate economic impact through diversification, job creation, and the growth of knowledge-driven industries.
  4. Bridge the gap between academic discoveries and real-world industrial applications.
  5. Accelerate the commercialisation of innovations by aligning research with market needs.
  6. Develop proof-of-concept prototypes, pilot systems, and technology validation at a technology readiness level of mid-stage development (TRL 4–7).
  7. Conduct targeted R&D to address specific technical, operational, and strategic challenges facing industry.
  8. Provide industry with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, testbeds, and simulation platforms.
  9. Reduce R&D costs for startups and SMEs through shared resources.

Expected Outcomes

  • Bring new products, services, and technologies to market.
  • Generate papers, patents, licenses, and spin-offs from research outputs.
  • Shorten time-to-market for innovations validated through TRL 4–7 prototypes.
  • Train industry-ready graduates in applied R&D environments.
  • Strengthen retention of skilled talent in priority sectors.
  • Build sustained partnerships between companies and research institutions.
  • Establish co-owned intellectual property (IP) frameworks.
  • Foster trust and knowledge exchange that fuels long-term innovation pipelines.

Key Dates

  • Call for Expression of Interest opens: September 1, 2025
  • Deadline for the submission of the Expression of Interest: September 12, 2025
  • Open Full proposal submissions: October 6, 2025
  • Close Full proposal submissions: October 30, 2025
  • Selection of funded centres: December 2025

Eligibility

  • Led by Dubai-based research institutes.
  • The nominated Director and Principal Investigators (PIs) must be fully affiliated with a Dubai-based Higher Education Institution (HEI), research centre, or institute.
  • The Director and PIs must have a PhD degree in a field relevant to RDI priority areas.
  • The Director and PIs must demonstrate a track record of research excellence.
  • At least 50% of the grant funding must be utilised within Dubai.
  • In-kind contribution must be provided to the centre by the applicant’s lead institute(s).

Evaluation Criteria

Expression of Interest

  • Impact: the scale and significance of the outcomes expected from funding the research centre.
  • Feasibility and Potential for Success: The likelihood that the the research centre can achieve its proposed outcomes.
  • Team quality: the strength, expertise, and relevant experience of the research centre’s team.
  • Relevance to Dubai RDI Priority Areas: The degree of alignment with Dubai’s RDI program ambitions and priority areas.
  • Budget: The adequacy of the proposed budget and its alignment with funding guidelines.

Full Proposal

Institutional Support Requirements

Proposals must be endorsed by the applicant’s institution and demonstrate the following support measures:

  • Reduced teaching load for faculty and research team members leading the project.
  • Fast-tracked procurement processes to facilitate RDI activities.
  • Expedited hiring procedures to support project staffing.
  • Flexibility in recruiting research staff including assistants and engineers.
  • Submission of a Letter of Institutional Commitment.
  • Submission of a Letter of Collaboration.
We look forward to your active participation in this initiative and to co-creating long-term research centres that will help shape Dubai’s future.
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