TransformRAK Research Grants
TransformRAK Research Grants support researchers conducting applied studies and pilot projects to inform public policy and deliver practical benefits for communities in Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE.
Funder: Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research
Due Dates: March 15, 2027 (2026/2027 cycle) | March 1, 2027 (Handbook annual deadline) | April 15, 2027 (Funder annual deadline)
Funding Amounts: Seed: up to AED 75,000 annually for 24 months; Acceleration: up to AED 125,000 annually for 48 months
Summary: Supports applied, interdisciplinary research and pilots that inform policy and deliver practical benefits for Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE.
Key Information: Lead applicants must hold a doctorate and a current faculty appointment; every project must include a UAE research site.
Description
TransformRAK: Research for Tangible Impact is the Al Qasimi Foundation’s competitive program for applied, interdisciplinary research addressing public policy priorities in Ras Al Khaimah and the wider United Arab Emirates. It supports original empirical research with practical implications for policy, communities, and social, economic, and sustainable development. Applicants may be based in the UAE or internationally.
Seed Grants support early-stage experimentation, including prototypes, data-gap exploration, and pilot interventions. Acceleration Grants scale successful pilots, extend policy reach, and strengthen sustainability through partnerships. For 2027, four thematic areas are open simultaneously: education and skills, social conditions and participation, sustainable social impact, and cultural and ecological heritage. Applicants select one primary theme and may identify a secondary theme for interdisciplinary work.
