TransformRAK Research Grants

About

TransformRAK Research Grants fund applied, interdisciplinary research that informs public policy and delivers tangible benefits to Ras Al Khaimah and the wider UAE, with Seed Grants up to AED 75,000 per year and Acceleration Grants up to AED 125,000 per year.

Benefits

• 💰Seed Grants
  Selected Seed Grant recipients receive up to AED 75,000 per year for projects of up to 24 months for early-stage, experimental research
• 🚀Acceleration Grants
  Selected Acceleration Grant recipients receive up to AED 125,000 per year for up to 48 months to scale successful pilots, deepen policy reach, and expand impact
• 🧾Eligible research costs
  Awarded funding may cover eligible research-related expenses, including travel, accommodation, research assistance, data collection, translation, equipment, events, and publication costs, subject to the Applicant Handbook and grant agreement

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants may be based in the UAE or overseas
• All projects must include at least one research site within the UAE and demonstrate a clear benefit to the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah
• The lead applicant (individual or institution) must be affiliated with a highly ranked globally recognized university based on QS or THE rankings, or demonstrate equivalent professional expertise
• The lead applicant must be a current faculty member at an accredited tertiary education institution and hold a doctorate
• The proposed research must include Ras Al Khaimah or the United Arab Emirates as at least one part of the research
• For Acceleration Grants, applicants must demonstrate the successful completion of a pilot or Seed project
• Proposed research must address one of the Foundation’s key areas: education, public health, or urban development, or a closely related social science issue or question
• Proposed research must include documentation confirming submission to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the applicant’s home institution
• Applicants must demonstrate sustainability and clear next steps beyond the grant term to ensure long-term policy or community impact
• Applicants must include a feasible timeline, realistic budget, and clearly defined deliverables
• Preferred: expertise in education, public policy, or closely related fields

Participation Commitments

• Applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online grants portal no later than 15 March 2027, 23:59 GST
• Applicants must create an account in the Foundation’s grant management portal
• Applicants must upload a video presentation (90 seconds maximum), CV, research proposal using the portal templates, letter of recommendation, letter(s) of support if applicable, confirmation of Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission or training, and additional supporting materials if applicable
• Seed Grant recipients must produce a final report of up to 1,500 words, a policy paper or op-ed, and a Research Majlis presentation
• Acceleration Grant recipients must produce a final report of up to 1,500 words, a policy brief, a Research Majlis presentation, a policy paper or op-ed, and a research paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed academic journal
• Following the deadline, evaluation typically takes 8–10 weeks and results are announced by late June
• Grant-funded research projects usually commence between June and September of the same year

Target Region

Applicants may be based in the UAE or internationally; all projects must include at least one research site within the UAE and demonstrate a clear benefit to the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

Target Sector

Education, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Real Estate & Construction, Travel & Hospitality, Other