DUBAI // Talented biomedical researchers in the UAE are to benefit from Dh8 million in funding from a medical philanthropic organisation.
Al Jalila Foundation is offering the funding in the form of fellowship and seed grants to boost research and education in the subject.
Researchers are being invited to apply for the seed grants, which are worth up to Dh300,000.
The grant will allow them to investigate, in detail, regional health issues through science and applied and clinical research projects.
“This is a big moment for the UAE’s medical research sector as we start contributing to the development of the next generation of biomedical scientists,” said Sehamuddin Galadari, professor of biochemistry and molecular cell biology and academic and research advisor to the Foundation.
“Our funding will support the brightest local minds in biomedical research to study at leading institutions and develop both personally and academically.
“Our aim is to develop home-grown leaders with the ability to produce preventative medical research that is relevant to the region, thereby transforming the UAE’s healthcare sector.”
The grants are available to all nationalities as long as the research is done in the UAE.
Applicants should hold positions at local universities, research institutions or clinics and will be assessed through an international peer-review process.
Only Emirati biomedical professionals are eligible for the fellowship programme.
Successful applicants will be offered the chance to study at internationally recognised institutions with the eventual aim of transferring skills and knowledge to the UAE.
The Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board will look at individual applicants for a place on either the three-month student research elective or year-long research training support programme.
The Foundation hopes the funding will promote regional research into cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and issues related to mental health.
These five health issues have been identified by the Foundation as a focus for the newly-announced Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, which will be the UAE’s first standalone medical research centre.
“Providing talented local scientists with the opportunity to study at world-class institutions and contribute towards global scientific research will help to establish the UAE as a medical research centre on a par with the rest of the world,” said Abdulkareem Al Olama, chief executive of the Foundation.
“We extend our gratitude to our generous donors, who are not only changing the lives of gifted individuals, but will help to better the health of the nation for years to come.”
The deadline for applications to the 2014 fellowship and feed grants is June 15. Fellowship grant recipients will be announced by July 15, while seed-grant recipients will be announced by September 15 of this year.
The foundation was set up in 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and named after his young daughter Jalila.
For more details about the grants and application forms visit the Al Jalila Foundation website.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
