Emirates Foundation awards extra research grants

ABU DHABI // The Emirates Foundation has awarded an additional Dh1.5 million in grants to universities to improve the country's research capabilities.

The funding comes just a month after the philanthropic organisation distributed Dh7m in grants to 56 UAE research teams. It was the second year that it awarded up to Dh200,000 each for research in a variety of academic fields.

UAE University, Zayed University and Sharjah University will get an additional Dh500,000 for upgrades to laboratories and classrooms.

"These schools were chosen based on their needs and how their priorities are aligned with the priorities of the Government," said Dr Abdullah Ismail Abdullah, the senior executive adviser to the foundation's science, technology and environment programme. "We would like to do what we can to enhance those labs."

The grants come as UAE researchers await funding from the National Research Foundation. That money has been delayed since last year because the budget has not been approved. As a result, some institutions have taken the initiative on funding.

UAE University awarded Dh12.5m late last year to its researchers. The university will receive additional funding from the Emirates Foundation to enhance laboratories at its faculty of medicine and health sciences, and its college of engineering.

Zayed University will receive a grant to upgrade the lab at its college of arts and sciences, and the University of Sharjah received funding to improve labs at its college of medicine and health sciences.