Dubai Launches Major Initiative to Boost Research, Development, and Innovation

Dubai’s commitment to becoming a global hub for research and innovation took a major step forward with the announcement of a new initiative under the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Program on Sunday, September 15.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, unveiled the initiative on social media platform X. He highlighted the program’s focus on funding and supporting research, development, and innovation, aimed at transforming Dubai into one of the world’s leading cities for scientific progress.

“Research and development are fundamental to the success of cities, nations, and economies,” Sheikh Hamdan stated. “Our vision is for Dubai to become one of the world’s top cities in supporting researchers and scientists by offering the necessary funding, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to drive progress in the research field.”

The initiative will provide grants and essential resources to help bring groundbreaking projects and ambitious ideas to life in Dubai. It is expected to attract contributions from academics, researchers, and institutions both from the UAE and internationally. This aligns with Dubai’s broader goal of fostering a thriving ecosystem for innovation and scientific discovery.

The Dubai RDI Program outlines the emirate’s key priorities in research and innovation. It will regulate projects, initiatives, and legislation while also directing funding and investment in this critical area. A key aim of the program is to increase domestic spending on R&D projects and maximize private sector involvement in launching and financing research endeavors.

This initiative supports Dubai’s future vision of creating knowledge-driven solutions to address both local and global challenges. By focusing on innovation, Dubai aims to enhance the productivity of existing sectors and pave new paths to boost economic value. The program will also identify and address significant changes on the horizon, enhancing the city’s readiness to accommodate emerging sectors that have the potential to strengthen Dubai’s economic resilience.

Sheikh Hamdan expressed high expectations for the initiative, emphasizing the crucial role that researchers and institutions, both national and international, will play in contributing to Dubai’s ambitious goals. The initiative reflects the emirate’s commitment to positioning itself as a leader in global research, development, and innovation.