Qatar National Research Fund launches sixth cycle of funding Program for ground-breaking projects

Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, has launched the sixth cycle of its competitive, flagship program, the National Priorities Research Program (NPRP), which funds research projects of national importance.

Over the past five cycles, the Program has attracted some of the world’s most renowned scientists and funded 567 original and competitively selected research projects. Twenty-nine Qatari research institutions have collaborated on the research projects with 323 international institutions from 48 countries across the globe, helping to advance scientific innovation nationally and strengthen Qatar's position within the global academic community.

The NPRP was created to bolster the nation's growing research culture and, through its sixth cycle, will help establish the strategic pillars of Qatar's research development.

QNRF will hold public presentations in Doha on Thursday, the 11th of October, as well as broadcast two webinars covering the launch of the NPRP sixth cycle. The presentations and webinars, scheduled for the convenience of international applicants based in different time zones, will outline the application process and highlight changes in the sixth cycle of NPRP. A comprehensive question and answer session will also follow.

Online submissions of the Letter of Intent commenced on the 7th of October 2012, with final proposals to be submitted by the 8th of January 2013. The research projects will have an implementation timeframe of one to three years, and applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with the Qatar National Research Strategy, which is aimed at building the nation's research capacity to directly support its transition to a knowledge-based economy.

Applicants must comply fully with the requirements listed in the NPRP sixth cycle ‘Request for Proposal (RFP), available to download at http://www.qnrf.org/ , to ensure their submissions are complete.

Dr Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director of QNRF, commented, “What distinguishes this cycle is its emphasis on the research areas identified in the 2012 Qatar National Research Strategy, as well as granting up to two bonus points for collaboration between local stakeholders within Qatar.”

Noor Al-Merekhi, NPRP Program Manager, said, Through the public presentations and webinars we have scheduled in the coming week, I will highlight how applicants should approach the major changes introduced in this cycle.

NPRP schedule of presentations open to the public
Thursday, the 11th of October 2012, from 12.30-2.00pm and 6.30–8.00pm at QNRF's offices on the 5thth floor of the Tornado Tower, West Bay, Doha.

NPRP schedule of webinars

Saturday, the 13th of October 2012, from 9.00-10.30pm and Monday, the 15th of October 2012, from 12.00-1.30pm.