Dubai Future Foundation opens 2nd cycle of RDI Grant for bold research projects

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum started an important program in 2024 to support new and brave research projects in Dubai.

Now, the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has opened the second round of its Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Grant. This program asks universities and research centers in Dubai to send in their best ideas. These ideas should help improve technology, the economy, society, and innovation in the city.

The program works with both local and international schools and research groups. It supports projects that match Dubai’s goals and plans for the future.

This time, the program focuses on two big areas: Cognitive Cities and Health & Life Sciences. Each area has four topics that use the newest technology.

The first area, called "Cognitive Cities," supports research on smart ways to move around the city, new building designs, city systems that help fight climate change, and ways to use health data to keep people well.

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The second area, "Health & Life Sciences," focuses on four topics: discovering new biological information, improving healthcare methods, creating new health technologies, and making biological products using science.

Experts will look at the proposals based on many things. These include how well the ideas match Dubai’s goals, how they can build new partnerships, how they help people learn and grow, how new and useful the ideas are, the effect on different sectors, and if the budget makes sense.

Applications are open until Friday, June 13, 2025, at www.dubairdi.ae. After the first review, some applicants will be asked to send detailed plans. The projects picked will get money to work on their research for one to three years.

In the first round, the program gave money to 24 projects from 13 universities and research centers. These projects were chosen from 374 proposals sent by 41 academic groups. A total of 219 researchers at different stages of their careers took part. The focus was on Future Cities and Health & Life Sciences, especially projects involving artificial intelligence and robotics.

This program was started in September 2024 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation. It is part of a bigger plan called the Dubai Research and Development Programme. The goal is to fund brave, future-focused research and help Dubai become a leader in innovation worldwide.

Khalifa Al Qama, the Executive Director at Dubai Future Labs, said the program helps researchers and creators in Dubai by giving them money and support. This makes it easier for them to bring new and exciting ideas to life.

He also said that the program helps create a strong system that encourages scientific research and new ways of thinking. This will help Dubai stay a global center for creative minds.

Recently, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan approved the second phase of the Dubai Research and Development Programme. He set aside AED 750 million to speed up this work. The goal is to build a strong and diverse digital economy and make Dubai more competitive in important future industries.

The Dubai RDI Programme, managed by the Dubai Future Foundation, aims to create smart, tested solutions to problems faced both locally and globally. It works to improve different sectors, support new industries, and make Dubai’s economy stronger and ready for the future.