Abu Dhabi: Zayed National Museum has invited researchers from around the world to apply to the 2025 Zayed National Museum Research Fund. The Research Fund, which amounts to a total of AED1 million, supports research projects contributing to the preservation and advancement of knowledge and understanding of the United Arab Emirates' heritage and culture, as well as that of the wider region.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Research Fund is inspired by the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father, through its commitment to ambitious and rigorous research that preserves and revives the UAE's deep heritage, while fostering knowledge, innovation, and resilience. The fund provides both large and small grants, targeting seasoned researchers as well as those at the beginning of their careers, whose work aims to deepen our collective understanding of the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates and wider region.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, stated that the nurturing of the generation of knowledge and creativity supports their commitment to preserve and promote the treasured cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The Research Fund empowers researchers to push the boundaries of discovery which shape our understanding of the past and inform our collective future. These insights not only provide new knowledge but also inform the present, fostering pride and a stronger sense of cultural identity.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of representatives from Zayed National Museum and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, as well as external subject matter experts. The research projects will be assessed against criteria such as research methodology, experience, outcomes, and alignment with the museum's mandate.
Dr. Peter Magee, Director of Zayed National Museum, highlighted that each year, the Zayed National Museum Research Fund enables researchers and academics to dig deeper into the past, revealing valuable insights into the history, heritage, and traditions of the United Arab Emirates and the region. By supporting original scholarship, the Research Fund contributes to a growing body of knowledge that informs the present and preserves cultural continuity.
The key themes of the Research Fund include the life and achievements of the UAE's Founding Father, the archaeological and intangible history of the UAE, the archaeology and history of the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia, and conferences and invited lectures that revolve around these themes.
Since its launch in 2023, Zayed National Museum's Research Fund has supported 18 projects from countries including China, Egypt, India, Italy, France, Oman, Poland, UAE, UK, and USA. The projects supported by the fund represent a variety of topics and fields, such as the rock art of Southern and Eastern Arabia and Sheikh Zayed's legacy.
Shaped by the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the Zayed National Museum will be the most comprehensive source of information on the nation's history and culture, tracing the story of this land from ancient times to the present day. Through immersive exhibitions, active research, and engaging public programming, the museum builds on Sheikh Zayed's vision, upholding the values he stood for, including progress, collaboration, and the preservation of heritage.