National Research Program

Program Purpose

Support R&D institutions to conduct R&D activities that are primarily directed towards solving national challenges and addressing national priorities

Target Audiences:

Local Universities & Research Institutions

Funding Initiatives:

National Research Grant

A 3-year grant that supports applied research and early-stage experimental development projects in priority areas related to specific needs of National research beneficiaries (ministries/government entities)

Bi-lateral Research Grants

A 3-year grant that strengthen ties between the Qatari and the international research communities through addressing a mutual area of interest within Qatar priority areas.

Academic & Corporate Research Collaboration Grants

  • enable faculty, researchers, PhD and Master’s students to collaborate with MNCs on research directly relevant to the industry. Research is primarily basic/fundamental to enable new IP and break-throughs.

Key Success Measures:

  • Increase in Research Scientists & Engineers
  • Enhanced research quality
  • Enhanced research relevance
  • Enhanced Research Collaborations

Key performance indicators:

  • Number of prototypes or early-stage technologies developed
  • Number of research findings/technologies Licensed, as a result of QRDI-C funding
  • Number of projects with industry
  • % of Publications with International Collaborators
  • Publications in top 10% most cited worldwide
  • Average field weighted citation impact of publications resulting from QRDI-C funding
  • % of patent applications granted (resulting from QRDI-C funding)
  • Number of PhDs and postdocs trained through QRDI-C grants

Benefits to Program Recipients:

  • Receive funding that supports internal research activity
  • Build knowledge and understanding within Qatar’s national RDI priority areas
  • Engage in local and international research collaborations
  • Drive potential commercialization of research conducted or enable evidence-based policy making.

Benefits to Qatar

  • Drive short-and medium-term economic and societal benefits
  • Create relevant research outputs that can be used by end-users to develop solutions
  • Support the development of long-term national capabilities in specific domains