Latest news with #UAEResearchProgramforRainEnhancementScience
Mid East Info
17-04-2025
- Science
- Mid East Info
National Center of Meteorology Announces Conclusion of UAEREP's 6th Cycle Submission Period - Middle East Business News and Information
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has announced the conclusion of the submission period for the Sixth Cycle of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). This cycle has attracted 140 innovative research proposals, marking a 47% increase from the Fifth Cycle. Pre-proposal submissions opened on 28 January 2025, coinciding with the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), and closed on 20 March 2025, spanning 52 days. The Sixth Cycle drew proposals from 96 research teams and 44 individual researchers from 48 countries across five continents. Key participants included the UAE with 29 submissions, the United States with 23, India with 22, Nigeria with 9, South Africa and Pakistan with 6, Australia, Egypt, Russia, Kenya and Rwanda with 5, China and Jordan with 4. The submitted research proposals covered the Sixth Cycle's five core research areas, with 49 proposals focusing on optimized seeding materials, 71 on novel cloud formation and rain enhancement systems, 42 on autonomous unmanned aircraft systems, 63 on limited-area climate interventions, and 75 on advanced models, software, and data. UAEREP will evaluate these pre-proposals based on their alignment with the program's core research thrust areas, scientific excellence, potential impact, the expertise of the proposers, and the extent of multidisciplinary collaboration. Successful applicants will be notified of their initial pre-proposal evaluation results and invited to submit full proposals by 20 May 2025, with final submissions due by 28 August 2025. Following a rigorous two-stage merit review process, the winners of the research grants will be announced in January 2026. His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of NCM and President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said: 'UAEREP continues to play a pioneering role in advancing the science and technology of rain enhancement, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in this vital field. With global water security at the forefront of international climate action and sustainability agendas, the strong response to the program's Sixth Cycle underscores the growing recognition of the UAE's commitment to exploring innovative approaches for addressing water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions. By leading a collaborative research approach, we aim to develop impactful solutions that support sustainable water resource management worldwide.' Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP, said: 'As we conclude the 6th Cycle submission period, we extend our sincere appreciation to all participants who have contributed their innovative ideas and pioneering research proposals. Moving forward, we will identify projects that align with UAEREP's vision and roadmap – projects that introduce ground-breaking ideas, build on past progress and achievements, and move us closer to achieving tangible operational impact in the field of rain enhancement. Our aim is to support research that accelerates technology readiness, fosters new scientific insights, and enhances the effectiveness of rain enhancement strategies to address global water security challenges.' As part of its 6th Cycle, UAEREP offers a grant of up US$1.5 million (AED5.511 million) for each winning project proposal. The grant will be distributed among up to three innovative research projects over three years, with a maximum annual amount of $550,000. The program's Sixth Cycle attracted participation from several leading universities and research centers within the UAE and worldwide. Key academic institutions submitting proposals included Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the American University of Sharjah, Emirates Aviation University, Abu Dhabi University, UAE University, GAL (Global Aerospace Logistics), the University of California (Irvine and Los Angeles), Columbia University, Princeton University, Victoria University, ETH Zurich, Stockholm University, Kyoto University, Tsinghua University, Politecnico of Milan, and York University. The program also drew proposals from renowned government entities including the National Center of Atmospheric Research Center (NCAR), Weather Modification Centre China Meteorological Administration, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences – South Korea, Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Egyptian Meteorological Authority, Pakistan Meteorological Department, and Kenya Meteorological Department. UAEREP's Sixth Cycle was officially launched during the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), held from January 28 to 30, 2025. This cycle builds upon the program's newly defined vision that aims to establish UAEREP as the global hub for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of rain enhancement technologies and operations that contribute to global water security.
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Science
- Zawya
National Center of Meteorology announces conclusion of UAEREP's 6th Cycle submission period
Abu Dhabi-UAE – The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has announced the conclusion of the submission period for the Sixth Cycle of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). This cycle has attracted 140 innovative research proposals, marking a 47% increase from the Fifth Cycle. Pre-proposal submissions opened on 28 January 2025, coinciding with the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), and closed on 20 March 2025, spanning 52 days. The Sixth Cycle drew proposals from 96 research teams and 44 individual researchers from 48 countries across five continents. Key participants included the UAE with 29 submissions, the United States with 23, India with 22, Nigeria with 9, South Africa and Pakistan with 6, Australia, Egypt, Russia, Kenya and Rwanda with 5, China and Jordan with 4. The submitted research proposals covered the Sixth Cycle's five core research areas, with 49 proposals focusing on optimized seeding materials, 71 on novel cloud formation and rain enhancement systems, 42 on autonomous unmanned aircraft systems, 63 on limited-area climate interventions, and 75 on advanced models, software, and data. UAEREP will evaluate these pre-proposals based on their alignment with the program's core research thrust areas, scientific excellence, potential impact, the expertise of the proposers, and the extent of multidisciplinary collaboration. Successful applicants will be notified of their initial pre-proposal evaluation results and invited to submit full proposals by 20 May 2025, with final submissions due by 28 August 2025. Following a rigorous two-stage merit review process, the winners of the research grants will be announced in January 2026. His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of NCM and President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said: 'UAEREP continues to play a pioneering role in advancing the science and technology of rain enhancement, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in this vital field. With global water security at the forefront of international climate action and sustainability agendas, the strong response to the program's Sixth Cycle underscores the growing recognition of the UAE's commitment to exploring innovative approaches for addressing water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions. By leading a collaborative research approach, we aim to develop impactful solutions that support sustainable water resource management worldwide.' Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP, said: 'As we conclude the 6th Cycle submission period, we extend our sincere appreciation to all participants who have contributed their innovative ideas and pioneering research proposals. Moving forward, we will identify projects that align with UAEREP's vision and roadmap – projects that introduce ground-breaking ideas, build on past progress and achievements, and move us closer to achieving tangible operational impact in the field of rain enhancement. Our aim is to support research that accelerates technology readiness, fosters new scientific insights, and enhances the effectiveness of rain enhancement strategies to address global water security challenges.' As part of its 6th Cycle, UAEREP offers a grant of up US$1.5 million (AED5.511 million) for each winning project proposal. The grant will be distributed among up to three innovative research projects over three years, with a maximum annual amount of $550,000. The program's Sixth Cycle attracted participation from several leading universities and research centers within the UAE and worldwide. Key academic institutions submitting proposals included Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the American University of Sharjah, Emirates Aviation University, Abu Dhabi University, UAE University, GAL (Global Aerospace Logistics), the University of California (Irvine and Los Angeles), Columbia University, Princeton University, Victoria University, ETH Zurich, Stockholm University, Kyoto University, Tsinghua University, Politecnico of Milan, and York University. The program also drew proposals from renowned government entities including the National Center of Atmospheric Research Center (NCAR), Weather Modification Centre China Meteorological Administration, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences – South Korea, Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Egyptian Meteorological Authority, Pakistan Meteorological Department, and Kenya Meteorological Department. UAEREP's Sixth Cycle was officially launched during the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), held from January 28 to 30, 2025. This cycle builds upon the program's newly defined vision that aims to establish UAEREP as the global hub for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of rain enhancement technologies and operations that contribute to global water security.
Hi Dubai
29-01-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science Opens 6th Cycle for Innovative Proposals
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has officially launched its 6th cycle for research proposals, offering grants of up to US$1.5 million (AED 5.511 million) for up to three winning projects. Each proposal can receive up to US$550K annually for a maximum of three years. The announcement was made at the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) in Abu Dhabi, which runs from January 28-30, 2025, at Conrad Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers. The forum brings together experts to discuss solutions for water security challenges exacerbated by climate change. UAEREP invites proposals in five core research areas: Optimised Seeding Materials, Novel Cloud Formation Systems, Autonomous UAS, Limited-Area Climate Interventions, and Advanced Models and Data. Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) and President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), emphasized the importance of this cycle in addressing global water scarcity and advancing sustainable climate action. Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP, highlighted the program's global impact, aiming to position the UAE as a leader in rain enhancement research. She also noted a focus on projects demonstrating clear progression in Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and alignment with the program's research priorities. The registration deadline for proposals is March 13, 2025, with pre-proposals due by March 20, 2025. Full proposal submissions will be invited by May 20, 2025, with final selections announced in January 2026. The 7th IREF coincides with UAEREP's 10th anniversary, underscoring its decade-long commitment to enhancing water security through innovation. To date, the program has invested AED 82.6 million in 11 research projects, yielding 8 patents. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE can get up to 25% more rain with new technologies, says expert
The UAE has the potential to boost rainfall by up to 25 per cent with new technologies that could emerge from the upcoming sixth cycle of its rain enhancement programme, a top official said on Tuesday. 'Studies show that using new technologies can increase rainfall by 10 to 25 per cent, depending on factors such as atmospheric conditions," said Alya Al Mazrouei, director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). "The results improve with cleaner atmospheres, advancements in materials, and enhancements in techniques and methodologies. By focusing on these elements, we can significantly increase the effectiveness of our operations.' Al Mazrouei was speaking on the sidelines of the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), which kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The UAEREP has officially opened its 6th cycle for submissions of innovative research proposals. Winning projects are eligible for grants of up to $1.5 million (Dh5.511 million) each. The programme invites innovative research proposals focusing on five key areas: Optimised seeding materials Novel systems for cloud formation and rain enhancement Autonomous UAS Localised climate interventions Advanced models, software, and data analysis 300% increase in large water droplets Currently, the country is using nanotechnology-based cloud-seeding materials, which have proven to be highly effective. The use of these materials — exclusively manufactured at the National Centre of Meteorology's (NCM) Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory — has led to a 300-per-cent increase in large water droplets compared to conventional seeding techniques. The country is now moving towards the commercialisation phase of this technology. Discussing the breakthrough, Al Mazrouei added: 'Traditionally, we used hygroscopic materials, which were a natural choice. The nanomaterial stands out due to its composition, containing a 10-per-cent concentration of titanium dioxide, which enhances its effectiveness. ' She reiterated that through this cycle, the UAEREP's goal is to build on the significant achievements of previous cycles, enabling various rain enhancement initiatives to enhance their strategies, streamline their operations, and achieve better precipitation results. 'Unlike conventional materials that require burning flares to optimise droplet size, the new nanomaterial is a fine powder — only 250g per flare — that is dispersed once, making it more efficient in both operations and material usage. This innovation is a tangible outcome of our efforts, now ready for practical application, and it has significantly improved the effectiveness of cloud-seeding operations,' she added. Addressing global water security Aiming to expand global water security by promoting best practices and collaboration in rain enhancement research, the programme continues to identify scientifically verified and sustainably implementable methods of enhancing rainfall in the UAE and beyond. Today, cloud-seeding operations are conducted by a permanent unit at the NCM's meteorological department, which conducts operations across the UAE. No harmful chemicals are used in these operations. When asked why cloud-seeding is now considered a more attractive idea, with reduced scepticism and resistance, Mohammed Mahmoud, CEO and founder of the Climate and Water Initiative (CWI) said: 'It is because the world — and especially this part, and the Middle East, North Africa region — is desperate to secure its water resources to meet the growing demands of its population … whether it's human consumptive needs for drinking water, water for food, agriculture, which consumes the most amount of water, whether it's for industry and manufacturing. "Even in terms of energy, you need water to help not just to generate energy and renewable energy ... but [to run] regular power plants need. So, if there's anything we can pull out of our tool logs to increase our potential water supplies, why shouldn't we go for it? This (cloud-seeding) is just one such thing.' The UAE programme has made "remarkable progress in advancing rain enhancement technologies and providing innovative solutions to address water scarcity", said Abdulla Al Mandous, director-general of the NCM and president of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 'I would like to express our deepest gratitude to our wise leadership, whose continuous support has been the driving force behind the success of the UAEREP over the past 10 years," Al Mandous said. "I am proud to highlight that the UAE's leadership in fostering international research collaboration has earned global recognition for its impactful role in transforming local communities and shaping the global dialogue on water sustainability.'
Zawya
28-01-2025
- Science
- Zawya
UAEREP announces call for submissions for Sixth Cycle Grant
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has opened its 6th cycle for submissions of innovative research proposals, offering a grant of up US$1.5 million (AED5.511 million) for each winning project proposal. The grant will be distributed among up to three innovative research projects over three years. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) which commenced today in Abu Dhabi. The program welcomes innovative research proposals that prioritize five core research areas: Optimized Seeding Materials, Novel Cloud Formation and/or Rain Enhancement Systems, Autonomous UAS, Limited-Area Climate Interventions, and Advanced Models, Software, and Data. His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) and President of WMO, said: "UAEREP's sixth cycle presents a vital opportunity for the global scientific community to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address the growing water security challenges. This effort aligns with the UAE's continued commitment to accelerating climate action and building resilience against climate change's impact." Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP, said: "The UAEREP latest cycle aligns with NCM's strategic vision to position the program as a globally recognized model for rainfall enhancement research and operations, advancing water security in the UAE and worldwide. Through this cycle, we aim to build on the impactful achievements of previous cycles, which have empowered numerous rain enhancement initiatives to optimize their strategies, refine their operations, and achieve improved precipitation outcomes." Registration of proposals is open till 13 March 2025, and pre-proposals should be submitted by 20 March 2025. Those invited to submit full proposals will be notified by 20 May 2025 and will be asked to send their full proposals by 28 August 2023. The winning projects will be selected by a rigorous, two-stage merit review process, and the awardees will be announced in January 2026. Pre-proposal evaluations will consider alignment with UAEREP's research priorities, research excellence and impact, the expertise and potential of the proposers, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the proposal's potential to advance the rain enhancement research community and industry. To date, UAEREP has allocated AED 82.6 million to the successful completion of 11 innovative research projects, resulting in 8 patents, with 3 more pending registration. Additionally, 3 new research projects are currently underway. *Source: AETOSWire Contacts: Salam Shehady sshehady@
