Abu dhabi: The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), managed by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), has announced the selection of qualified research proposals for the programme's Sixth Cycle grant. This follows the meeting of its International Technical Review Committee, which convened at NCM headquarters in Abu Dhabi on 7th and 8th October 2025.
According to Emirates News Agency, the winning projects and the newly selected awardees will be officially announced in January 2026. The meeting marked the final stage of the Sixth Cycle's evaluation process, during which the panel of international experts assessed 13 full proposals submitted by 58 researchers, scientists, and experts affiliated with 38 institutions in 9 countries including the UAE. The panel evaluated the full proposals based on five key criteria: overall scientific and technical merit, significance, and innovation; research approach; investigator/team; capacity building; and resources and budget.
Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of NCM and President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), remarked that the UAEREP has established a strong global reputation for innovation aimed at addressing global water stress. He emphasized that this achievement aligns with the UAE's commitment to supporting international efforts in climate resilience and sustainable water resource management. As the programme enters its Sixth Cycle, it continues to pursue innovative solutions to mitigate water scarcity through research collaborations, reinforcing UAEREP's status as a global hub for scientific excellence in rain enhancement research.
Alya Al Mazroui, Director of UAEREP, expressed gratitude to the International Technical Review Committee for their dedication and collaboration throughout the evaluation process. She noted that the selected proposals reflect rigorous work and diverse scientific methodologies. The UAEREP is committed to advancing these promising ideas and supporting innovators to translate their visions into solutions benefiting the UAE and communities worldwide.
Since its launch during the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) held in Abu Dhabi in January 2025, the Sixth Cycle attracted 140 submissions, from which 16 innovative pre-proposals were selected following a rigorous review in May 2025. Researchers were invited to submit innovative research proposals by 28th August 2025, aligned with the programme's five priority research areas, underpinning the programme's 10-year roadmap.
The Sixth Cycle drew proposals from prominent institutions such as the University of California, Columbia University, Princeton University, ETH Zurich, Stockholm University, Kyoto University, and several others. Submissions also came from government entities like the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As part of its Sixth Cycle, the UAEREP offers a grant of up to US$1.5 million for each winning project proposal, distributed among up to three innovative research projects over three years. This cycle builds upon the programme's vision to establish UAEREP as the global hub for rain enhancement technologies that contribute to global water security.