Dubai RDI Grant Initiative second funding round opens: Key details businesses should know

• The Dubai Future Foundation has opened applications for the second funding round of the Dubai RDI Grant Initiative.
• Grants range from AED 500,000 to AED 1,500,000, depending on proposal quality and budget.
• The initiative supports research and innovation and has funded 24 projects from 13 institutions in its first cycle, which was launched in 2024.

The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has officially opened applications for the second funding cycle of the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Grant Initiative. The program was launched in 2024 by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Crown Prince, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF.

As a key pillar of Dubai’s more expansive R&D ecosystem, the program has engaged over 200 researchers from different disciplines and successfully funded 24 research projects from 13 academic institutions in its first cycle. This development has enhanced its appeal to global talent and to those looking to do business in Dubai.

2025 updates: RDI Grant program in its second cycle

This year, Dubai-based academic and research institutions are invited to submit innovative proposals that align with the emirate’s long-term development goals. The application deadline is set for Friday, June 13, 2025. Key details are as follows:

• Universities and research institutions based in Dubai can apply
• Projects can span a duration of 1 to 3 years
• Grants will be between AED500,000 and AED1,500,000 per project, depending on proposal quality and budget rationale
• The annual allocation per project should not go beyond AED 500,000
• Principal Investigators must hold a PhD in relevant RDI priority areas

In addition, interested entities should ensure that proposals clearly show strategic alignment, opportunity for cross-sector collaboration, and long-term socio-economic impact.

Focus areas of research

The second cycle of the Dubai RDI Grant Initiative targets the Cognitive Cities and Health & Life Sciences disciplines, which are structured to promote interdisciplinary research that advances innovation and practical application.

A. Cognitive Cities

This domain focuses on using advanced technologies and human-centred structures to transform urban life. Research proposals may cover:

• Smart mobility solutions
• Next-generation built environments and infrastructure
• Climate-neutral and resilient urban systems
• Urban health intelligence for proactive well-being

Projects in this category are expected to support smarter, more adaptive urban environments, which are essential in facilitating business operations in logistics, construction, real estate, and sustainability-driven sectors.

B. Health & Life Sciences

Focused on breakthroughs in health and biotechnology, this domain helps researchers enable the growth of bio-industrial innovation. Key topics include:

• Biological discovery and systems science
• Clinical and translational health
• Health innovation and engineering
• Biomanufacturing and synthetic biology

As healthcare becomes a major part of the region’s innovation economy, this field also strengthens the ecosystem for medical and biotech enterprises doing business in Dubai.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be carefully reviewed based on these key points:

• How well they align with Dubai’s RDI priority sectors
• Their level of innovation and ingenuity
• The potential for building local and international partnerships
• Their impact on specific sectors and how feasible they are
• Their focus on building skills and developing talent
• How effective and scalable the budget is

Only submissions that are well-aligned with strategic goals and have a forward-thinking approach will move on to the full proposal stage and be eligible for funding.

In conclusion

The Dubai RDI Grant Initiative is a flagship program of the larger Dubai Research and Development Program (introduced in September 2022). The latter program recently moved into Phase Two in 2025, with AED750 million in funding approved by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. This financing is intended to advance national R&D priorities such as the expansion of new industries, digital transformation, and knowledge-based economic resilience.

During @TECofDubai‘s meeting today, we approved a budget of AED750 million for the next phase of the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation Programme aimed at establishing Dubai as one of the world’s leading cities in this field by 2033. We also approved the Dubai Resilience… pic.twitter.com/LXx8Mqcqy5

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) November 28, 2024

With the second cycle currently underway, the initiative reaffirms the emirate’s commitment to “becoming one of the world’s top cities in supporting researchers and scientists by offering the necessary funding, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to drive progress in the research field.” Endeavours like these are significant to opening up new avenues for people doing business in Dubai and sustaining its competitiveness in the long run.