Funding opportunity
Qatar National Research Fund launched the second cycle of the annual National Priorities Research Programme, and this year it is looking to increase the number of international applications. In addition, funds are nearly double that of last year, with US$45 million now available.
The main objective is to build human capital for Qatar. Additionally, it is hoped that the research will result in the creation of intellectual property rights and the commercialisation of research. At present 2.8 per cent of Qatar’s GDP is allocated to research.
Presentations of the program and application process, which is open to all researchers will start in Doha. The Fund will tour selected universities in the US, before presenting at Imperial College in the UK. The schedule started at Texas A&M University Qatar, Education City on Monday (9 June).
Last year the fund attracted 47 collaborative research applications involving 33 international institutions. Abdul Sattar Al Taie, QNRF Director explains the drive for more, “We are keen to encourage collaborative research between Qatar’s institutions and established research facilities abroad. The benefits are plentiful. Promoting knowledge and technology transfer in this way builds human capital. This in turn helps our institutions attract, develop and retain top faculty.”
Mohammed Fathy Saoud, President of Qatar Foundation said, “This type of activity is an excellent way of raising Qatar’s profile in the international academic community and we at the Foundation are delighted that QNRF have taken this initiative. It is fully in keeping with Qatar Foundation’s drive to build a knowledge-based society and make Doha the intellectual capital of the region.”
In 2007 NPRP invested $25 million. This year the program has $45 million, and will award grants ranging from $20,000 up to $350,000 per year, for up to 3 years.
The NPRP funds research in natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences and humanities. The programme is administered using international standards, including a peer review process.
The Qatar National Research Fund was established in 2006. As part of its overall strategy it aims to foster collaborations within academia, and through public/private partnership, inside and outside of Qatar. The fund actively seeks internationally recognised researchers to study topics of global importance; however it is primarily dedicated to funding research in the national interest and fostering improvements in the health, environment and security for the people of Qatar and the region.
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