QNRF awards research grants for junior scientists

Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, has announced the results of the third cycle of its research funding Program for junior scientists.

QNRF’s Junior Scientists Research Experience Program (JSREP) aims to develop critical thinking skills and foster a vibrant research culture in Qatar by supporting junior scientists, both Qatari nationals and other residents, in all disciplines. A total of 16 junior scientists have previously participated in the Program. This year, grants worth a total of $1.78 million have been awarded to nine winning projects from four academic and research institutions.

Four of the research grants were awarded to Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and two each to Qatar University and Texas A&M University at Qatar. ASPETAR - Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital - received the final JSREP grant, the first of its kind to receive QNRF funding, for research in the field of sport and fitness sciences. The project will study the regulation of prolonged self-paced exercise in hot climatic conditions.

Covering a range of critical issues for the State of Qatar, other funded projects range from studies on ovarian cancer and the use of stem cells for cardiovascular tissue engineering, to research on pharmacology and medicine, and telecommunications. 

The Program witnessed a significant increase in turnout for its third year, with more proposals received this time around than in both previous cycles combined. This rise in interest reflects the continued spread of research culture in Qatar, and an increasing recognition of its importance in building a knowledge-based society.

Overall, 32 proposals were submitted to this cycle of JSREP, covering a wide range of research topics, aligned with the Qatar National Research Strategy. Submissions from six Qatari researchers were received, the highest number since the programme’s inception in May 2010. Commenting on the success of the most recent cycle, Dr Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director of QNRF, noted, “As a result of recent changes in the proposal requirements and increasing awareness among junior researchers, the third cycle of JSREP has witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of participants and of research proposals submitted.”  

Dr Khalid Al-Quradaghi, Director of Programs at QNRF, said, “This research Program is an integral part of QNRF’s strategy to support a scientific research culture and develop a qualified generation of junior scientists.”