QNRF HOLDS INFORMATION SESSION FOR GSRA AWARDEES

Awardees learned about QNRF’s policy and guidelines regarding their scholarships during the session

Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) – a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) – has announced the awardees of the 6th cycle of the Graduate Sponsorship Research Award (GSRA).  
GSRA, part of QNRF’s capacity-building initiative, is highly competitive, both financially and in terms of the standards of excellence required. This year, 32 applicants out of a total of 76 were selected for the GSRA award, including 20 students for master’s programs, and 12 for PhD programs.
Out of the awardees, 15 students will pursue their studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 13 at Qatar University, one at Texas A&M University at Qatar, and three at universities abroad. Under the 6th cycle of GSRA, a total of 12 Qatari nationals have been awarded to pursue their graduate research-based studies at local and international institutions.
Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director of QNRF, said: “The GSRA reflects Qatar Foundation’s commitment to support talented students to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to contribute to Qatar’s efforts of achieving the aims set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030.
“We congratulate all the successful applicants and commend them on their hard work and commitment towards further advancing their education. Upon completion of their degrees, these students will be a valuable resource in helping Qatar tackle the Grand Challenges, and in developing it as a regional and international research hub.”
The GSRA program receives applications that demonstrate a commitment to pursue research into the four pillars of the Qatar National Research Strategy. This year, thirteen proposals were awarded for Energy and Environment, eight for Health, ten for Computer Science and ICT, and one for Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
Raghad Al Ishaq, a GSRA awardee, said: “After graduation from Qatar University in biomedical sciences, I joined Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar as a national intern to pursue a career in research. During my time there, I was introduced to different ancillary aspects of research in the field of microbiology and decided to pursue my higher education in this field. Getting awarded with GSRA is my first step in the path of pursuing the goal of becoming a respected scientist in the field of molecular microbiology.”
QNRF held an information session on 4 September 2019 to brief the GSRA awardees about the program policy and prefunding requirements. For more information about QNRF’s programs, visit www.qnrf.org.