ASPIRE Award for Research Excellence (AARE) and ASPIRE Young Investigator Award (AYIA) - competitive funding programmes for outstanding research proposals in targeted areas within Abu Dhabi – have opened the 2021 submissions, with proposals to be submitted by 1 November

From sustainability and aerospace to biotech and education, scientists working in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the emirate who are engaged in research targeted at supporting Abu Dhabi’s development are being invited to apply for research funding programmes supported by ASPIRE, the technology programme management pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).

Innovators looking to turn their ideas into impactful realities can now apply for the ASPIRE Award for Research Excellence (AARE) and the ASPIRE Young Investigator Award (AYIA) – 2021, with submissions officially open and proposals to be submitted by 1 November 2021.

The AARE programme is open to all full-time faculty in HEIs geographically located within the emirate of Abu Dhabi and is growing from strength to strength. The AARE may be up to three years in duration with a maximum budget of AED 1,000,000 for non-education proposals. Budgets in education (STEM focused) may stretch to a maximum of AED 400,000.

The AYIA Programme, on the other hand, is open to researchers who are within six years of obtaining their terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) and currently employed as full-time faculty in HEIs that are geographically located within the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The applicant should also include a suggested faculty mentor as a Co-PI. The AYIA can continue for a two-year duration with a maximum budget of AED 200,000 for non-education proposals. Budgets in education (STEM focused) may stretch to a maximum of AED 100,000.

Dr Arthur Morrish, CEO of ASPIRE, said: “Research is key to driving the innovation cycle and provide significant opportunities to solve real-world local and global challenges for the greater good. With this, the ASPIRE awards aims to a provide a vital steppingstone in aiding researchers and innovators deliver innovative solutions to make our societies green, digital, and healthy.”

“Excellent research needs the best minds from all over the world to work together, and we have to facilitate – through the ASPIRE awards – not only funding but an international dialogue to achieve scientific progress and develop vibrant innovation ecosystems,” Dr Morrish added.

Research funded by the two programmes is anticipated to advance scientific and technological development within Abu Dhabi, as well as foster meaningful partnerships between scientists in Abu Dhabi and leading academic and industrial stakeholders at a national and global level.

The awards are targeted at areas of strategic importance to Abu Dhabi, including the Aerospace, Environment, Food and Agriculture, Energy, Health and Biotech, Materials and Manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Education (STEM focused) sectors.

The key criteria for submissions include novelty and intellectual merit of the proposal, potential impact of the research and the described path to impact, a proved relevance to the Abu Dhabi strategy areas, commitment of HEIs and availability of support and infrastructure, collaboration with industry where possible and training and human capital development.

One electronic copy of the proposal for the ASPIRE Award for Research Excellence (AARE) – 2021 and ASPIRE Young Investigator Award (AYIA) – 2021 must be submitted by 12 noon Monday, 1 November 2021.

Proposals for 2021 funding calls can be submitted via the ASPIRE website on the following pages:

https://www.aspireuae.ae/programmes/aspire-award-research-excellence-aare

https://www.aspireuae.ae/programmes/aspire-young-investigator-award-ayia