Funding offered for original research in the area of national education

The competition will fund original research covering a wide range of educationally related issues relevant to k-12 education, early childhood education and post secondary education.

Khuloud Al Nuwais, Director of Projects for the Emirates Foundation, commented:

"Preference will go to original, education policy research relevant to the nation's educational priorities. The awards - and hopefully the results - will support policy planners, teachers, parents and the pupils themselves."

Research findings are expected to show application to one of the following: developing new approaches for addressing education issues, informing policymakers, helping educators to be more effective in teaching, shaping educational programmes in the UAE or setting assessment standards and improving student achievement.

Research grants of up to Dhs200,000 each are available, for up to 24 months. The competition is open to educational or social science graduates at PhD level who are committed to supporting improvements to national educational offerings and planning.

Award winners are required to recruit a minimum of two Emirati interns, or research assistants - this is in order to help build Emirati capacity for social science research, and to provide the interns with training and research experience.

All grant applications will be evaluated by the Foundation's Education Advisory Committee and the awards will be announced in January 2010.