Seed Research Grants

Overview

<p>The Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research was established in 2009 to aid in the social, cultural, and economic development of Ras Al Khaimah, a northern emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Established through Emiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Foundation is considered a non-profit, quasi-governmental organization.</p> <p>The Al Qasimi Foundation seeks to generate a world-class body of research on Ras Al Khaimah and the broader UAE, develop local capacity in the public sector, and engage the community in its work. Initially focused on education, the Foundation has expanded its priority areas to include health and wellness, urban and community development, and arts and culture. Signature initiatives include competitive international research grants, teacher and student professional development programs, and the annual Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival.</p> <p>His Highness seeks to ground policy decisions firmly in relevant bodies of research that reflect the best thinking in the world as well as the local Ras Al Khaimah and UAE contexts. To this end, the Al Qasimi Foundation serves as a bridge between the research and policymaking communities—bringing to scholars’ attention public policy questions important to Ras Al Khaimah, and, in turn, disseminating research findings to promote innovative policy tools and models that will impact positive social change. The Al Qasimi Foundation approaches its work collaboratively and aims to establish relationships with talented scholars and world-class universities, innovative public policy research centers, established government institutions, and strategic partners in the private and non-governmental sectors.</p> <p>The Al Qasimi Foundation has three research priority areas that serve as the primary guide for all research activities sponsored or directly undertaken by the Foundation through 2023:</p> <ul> <li>Education Quality and Impact</li> <li>Community Development</li> <li>Health & Well-Being</li> </ul> <p>Although these three areas form the central focus of the Al Qasimi Foundation’s research activities, the organization still values and provides for research that may fall beyond their scope. In such instances, the research must demonstrate clear relevance to policy issues and concerns facing the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and broader UAE.</p> <p>The Al Qasimi Foundation’s Seed Grants provide modest start-up funding (maximum 50,000 AED) to conduct applied research or to pilot initiatives that fall beyond the scope of its Doctoral and Faculty Research programs. Individuals and organizations in the United Arab Emirates and overseas are eligible to apply, and proposals are welcomed from a wide range of disciplines and professional fields. Grant funds are allocated based on the proposal’s budget and may be used for a variety of purposes.</p> <p>While the call for proposals is broad, anticipated outcomes should benefit the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in tangible ways. Long-term sustainability may also be considered based on the specified project goals. Up to two Grants are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to write one to two policy papers at the conclusion of their project.</p> <p><strong>Grant Objectives</strong></p> <ul> <li>Provide opportunities for individuals or organizations to conduct applied research or pilot initiatives that will have a positive impact on the Ras Al Khaimah community</li> <li>Encourage interdisciplinary thinking and solutions to public policy issues</li> <li>Foster high-quality research and development projects that strengthen the local capacity of Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates</li> <li>Promote collaboration among individuals, businesses, academic institutions, and other government and non-government entities in Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates, and overseas.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Selection Criteria</strong><br>If applicants meet the minimum eligibility criteria noted above, they are encouraged to apply for a Seed Grant. The Grant is awarded based on merit as measured by a proposal’s relevance and overall strength. General sustainability and potential for impact are also considered in the evaluation process. The Al Qasimi Foundation Directors and Advisory Board serve as the evaluation and selection committee. The Grant review process is competitive. While the Al Qasimi Foundation receives many excellent and high-quality proposals, a maximum of two Seed Grants are available each year. The proposals chosen for funding represent the innovative ideas that align best with the Al Qasimi Foundation’s overall mission to aid in the social, economic, and cultural development of Ras Al Khaimah.</p>