The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council has announced the launch of a newly revamped research programs portfolio funded by its division, the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).
The new suite comprises three primary programmes: the Academic Research Programme, the National Research Programme, and the Research Talent Programme, a statement said Monday. This initiative is part of the QRDI 2030 Strategy to enhance scientific research and foster RDI talent.
Engineer Omar Ali al-Ansari, Secretary-General of the QRDI Council, remarked: “Launching this newly revised scientific research programs’ portfolio embodies our dedication to sustaining competitive research funding. This is critical as we seek to maintain and bolster the community of scientific research talent and capabilities in Qatar.”
The Academic Research Programme, focuses on supporting R&D institutions in conducting research that generates new knowledge and advances scientific understanding while promoting the cultivating of scientific researchers.
The National Research Programme, the second initiative, supports research activities that contribute to addressing long-term national challenges and priorities. This programme currently includes three jointly funded calls: Path Towards Precision Medicine (PPM), a joint call with the Qatar Genome Programme; Food Security Call, a joint call with the Ministry of Municipality-Qatar; QNRF-TÜBITAK Academia-Industry Cooperation Call, a joint call with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK).
The third programme, the Research Talent Programme, aims to develop, retain, and attract a strong base and pipeline of research talent in Qatar. Recipients of this fund will have the opportunity to pursue research-related careers and acquire the skills necessary to succeed in an innovation-based economy. This program currently has two open calls: Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) and The Undergraduate Research Experience Programme (UREP).
GSRA enables local eligible institutions to support prospective faculty and researchers through a competitive sponsorship programme, to undertake research-based graduate studies toward masters or doctoral degrees through two tracks: GSRA local and GSRA international.
The UREP is designed to cultivate a research culture and develop research capacity by allowing students to gain experience working with faculty members, research staff, and other students through their one-year involvement in the UREP grant.
Riham Daher, RDI Programme Director at the QRDI Council, said: "The new portfolio has been shaped with input from our research community over the past year."
Details about the three new programmes are available on the QRDI Portal, where applications can be submitted. The QRDI Portal, with new versions released annually, adapts to the changing needs of stakeholders within the research and innovation ecosystem. Each phase introduces new features and functionalities. The first phase, launched in 2021, included User Registration, Entities, Facilities, Equipment, and Services. The second phase recently launched with RDI Projects, RDI Publications, and Collaboration Opportunities.
QRDI Portal V3 plans to add more features covering Sectorial Communities, Talent Profiles, Data Sets & IP, and Events this year, the statement added.
Engineer Omar Ali al-Ansari
