Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) launches 3rd cycle

Doha, 9 June 2009 – QNRF launched the 3rd cycle of National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) with a presentation to prospective researchers at Education City on 8th June.

Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, QNRF Director, reviewed the previous NPRP cycle and outlined important changes to the Program at the presentation, which was held at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and attended by over 60 researchers. Funds amounting to US $68 million will be available in the 3rd cycle.

During his presentation, Dr Abdul Sattar said:
“The 2nd cycle was an exceptional success and far more applications, of a very high caliber, were received than anticipated. As NPRP goes from strength to strength we look forward to an even greater wealth of proposals in the 3rd cycle. But of even more importance, looking farther ahead I anticipate Qatar making great gains from fostering this research culture.”

An important change that Dr Abdul Sattar announced was that the criteria of exceptional proposals had been removed as in future such projects were to be funded by a new separate program specifically aimed at funding research proposals requiring longer period and/or greater amounts than the maximum limits of NPRP. Details of this fund will be announced at a later date.

The purpose of the presentations, aside from announcing the new cycle of funding, is to respond to researcher’s queries and encourage dialogue. In keeping with this, following Dr Abdul Sattar’s presentation the floor was opened up for questions. Dr Abdul Sattar was joined for the Q&A by Dr Nabeel Al Salem, QNRF Deputy Director and NPRP manager, Mahmoud Talaat, Support Services Manager and David Moore, Finance Manager.

Two further presentations will be held; the first at 12.00, Wednesday 10th June, at the Education Center, Hamad Medical Corporation and the second, 10am, 16th June, the Administration Building, Qatar University.

Letters of intention for funding applications must be received by 15th October.

The NPRP is an annual program with grants ranging from $20,000 up to $350,000 per year (up to 3 years). It funds original, competitively selected research and is the largest funding activity of the QNRF.  The fund is open to both Qatari and non-Qatari citizens, within and outside the country and accepts proposals from across academic fields. The program is administered using international standards including a peer review process.

ID : 885
Published:  06/09/2009