UAEREP Launches Seventh Research Funding Cycle with US$3 Million to Advance Rain Enhancement Science.
Abu Dhabi(News Desk):: The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), managed by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), has announced the launch of its Seventh Cycle Solicitation, offering a total of US$3 million in funding to support up to five innovative research projects aimed at advancing rain enhancement science and technologies, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.
The new funding cycle will support projects lasting between one and three years, with individual grants of up to US$500,000 for one-year projects, US$1 million for two-year projects and US$1.5 million for three-year projects.
The Seventh Cycle will focus on five strategic research areas: optimised seeding materials; novel cloud formation and rain enhancement systems; autonomous unmanned aircraft systems; limited-area climate interventions; and advanced models, software and data.
His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Chairman of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), said the UAE continues to strengthen its investment in scientific research, innovation and international cooperation to enhance water security.He highlighted that, through NCM and UAEREP, the country is supporting emerging research and technologies that advance rain enhancement science and contribute to addressing global water scarcity challenges.
Dr. Ahmad Al Kamali, Director of UAEREP and Acting Head of Cloud Seeding Operations at NCM, said the Seventh Cycle builds on the scientific knowledge and technological achievements of previous programme cycles while establishing clear priorities for the next stage of development.He emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary research proposals that address significant scientific challenges, introduce innovative approaches and demonstrate a clear pathway towards practical applications.
A key priority of the new cycle is to move research and technologies closer to operational readiness, encouraging projects that can demonstrate practical deployment potential or deliver scientific breakthroughs supporting the programme’s strategic objectives.
Under the optimised seeding materials category, researchers will explore the physical and chemical properties, manufacturing, dispersion, environmental impacts and effective application of seeding materials in arid and semi-arid environments.
The research area covering novel cloud formation and rain enhancement systems will investigate innovative methods beyond conventional cloud seeding, including improved cloud condensation, ice-nucleating particles and techniques to enhance precipitation formation under marginal atmospheric conditions.
Another major focus will be autonomous unmanned aircraft systems, examining their potential role throughout rain enhancement operations, from real-time cloud identification and targeted material delivery to coordinated operations involving multiple unmanned aircraft.
Research into limited-area climate interventions will explore landform and land-cover modification, atmospheric moisture, aerosols and regional changes in solar radiation. Meanwhile, advanced models, software and data will focus on improved operational forecasting models, artificial intelligence-based approaches, expanded data assimilation and more effective methods for evaluating rain enhancement outcomes.
UAEREP is encouraging high-impact proposals involving collaboration between universities, research institutions, industry and government organisations, including multinational and multi-institutional research teams. The programme also strongly encourages the participation of UAE-based researchers and institutions.
Applications will undergo a two-stage merit-based evaluation and selection process, assessing scientific and technical excellence, innovation, research methodology, team expertise, capacity building, available resources and budget requirements.
The Seventh Cycle builds on the achievements of 17 research projects funded through the programme’s previous six cycles. It forms part of the UAE’s broader strategy to develop scientifically validated technology platforms and verification methods that support rainfall enhancement and strengthen water security both nationally and internationally.
Through continued investment in research, international partnerships, knowledge transfer and technological innovation, UAEREP aims to accelerate the development of practical solutions to water scarcity while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global contributor to rain enhancement science.
