TransformRAK Acceleration Grants

TransformRAK Acceleration Grants are a high-impact funding stream administered by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. This grant program is designed to expand the scale and deepen the impact of proven pilot projects that address urgent public policy challenges in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the broader United Arab Emirates. The Foundation, known for its commitment to applied research and evidence-based policymaking, developed the TransformRAK initiative to transition academic research into real-world solutions with tangible societal benefits. Through Acceleration Grants, the Foundation aims to strengthen long-term sustainability and policy influence by supporting projects with demonstrated success and clear pathways to scale. The Acceleration Grants offer up to AED 125,000 annually for up to 48 months (four years), enabling researchers to enhance policy reach, broaden geographic scope, and build stronger partnerships with government and community stakeholders. The grants support applied, interdisciplinary research with a strong emphasis on implementation, impact measurement, and sustainability. Funding may be allocated to a wide range of research-related expenses, including personnel, travel, accommodation, equipment, data collection, translation, dissemination, and policy engagement activities. To be eligible for an Acceleration Grant, applicants must demonstrate the successful completion of a prior pilot or Seed project, providing documentation of results and the intervention model. The proposed project must be relevant to one of the Foundation’s key areas: education, public health, urban development, or closely related social science issues. In addition, applicants must hold a doctorate, be currently affiliated with an accredited tertiary institution, and come from a top 200 globally ranked university or have equivalent professional standing. All projects must include a research site within the United Arab Emirates, with priority given to those directly benefitting Ras Al Khaimah. Deliverables for Acceleration Grants are structured to ensure public relevance and scholarly rigor. Each project must produce a final report (up to 1,500 words), a policy brief, a policy paper or op-ed, a scholarly article suitable for peer-reviewed journals, and a presentation at the Foundation’s Research Majlis. These outputs are intended to inform policy audiences, community stakeholders, and academic peers, thereby reinforcing the research’s practical utility and long-term influence. The application process is managed via the Al Qasimi Foundation’s online grants portal. Interested applicants must create an account and complete the online application by the deadline of April 1, 2026 (23:59 GST). Required documentation includes a research proposal using provided templates, a 90-second video presentation, curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation and support, confirmation of IRB submission or training, and other relevant materials. Submissions are evaluated through a multi-phase process, including administrative review, external peer evaluation, and final approval by senior Foundation leadership. The TransformRAK Acceleration Grants are awarded competitively, and successful applicants are notified by late May 2026. Funded projects are expected to commence between June and September of the same year. As part of a recurring annual cycle, this program continues the Foundation’s legacy of fostering innovative, community-centered research that informs policy and delivers measurable benefits to the people of Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE.

Applicants must demonstrate completion of a successful pilot, policy relevance, feasibility, and stakeholder engagement.