Are you a PhD student looking for a fully funded research grant that takes your doctoral work to the next level? The Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grants 2026 could be your golden opportunity. Offered by the prestigious Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research in the United Arab Emirates, this fully funded grant invites PhD researchers from across the globe to conduct field research in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE — all expenses covered. Whether you’re researching education, governance, social policy, or public administration, this grant is designed to support scholars who want to make a real-world policy impact.
Read on for everything you need to know — from eligibility and benefits to the step-by-step application process for the Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grant 2026.
Basic Information About the Al Qasimi Foundation 2026 Doctoral Research Grants
| Detail | Information |
| Grant Name | Doctoral Research Grants 2026 |
| Offered By | Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation |
| Location | Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE |
| Degree Level | PhD (Doctoral) |
| Eligible Nationalities | All nationalities (Open to all) |
| Grant Type | Fully Funded Research Grant |
| Application Opens | December 2025 |
| Application Deadline | April 1, 2026 (23:59 GST) |
| Official Website | alqasimifoundation.com |
The 2026 research grant submission cycle reopened in December 2025. The deadline for all submissions is April 1, 2026 at 23:59 GST, and late or incomplete applications will not be considered under any circumstances.
Purpose
- Supports PhD students conducting applied, policy-relevant research
- Research must include Ras Al Khaimah or the UAE
- Aims to inform policymaking in the UAE
- Only 2 grants awarded per year
Grant Objectives
- Support innovative applied research
- Contribute to Ras Al Khaimah’s social & economic development
- Strengthen regional research capacity
- Encourage collaboration & cross-cultural exchange
University/Institution Details
The Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research is a leading academic and policy research institution based in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. It was established to promote rigorous, evidence-based research that directly informs public policy and governance in the United Arab Emirates, with a special focus on the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
The Foundation runs multiple annual competitive grant programs, including the Doctoral Research Grants, Seed Grants, and Transform RAK Grants — all designed to build a strong international community of researchers connected to the UAE’s academic and policy landscape. It has earned a global reputation for funding high-quality, socially impactful research across a wide spectrum of disciplines.
Study Areas (Available Research Fields)
The Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grants are not restricted to a single field — they welcome scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds, as long as the research contributes to policymaking in the UAE.
Eligible research areas include (but are not limited to):
- Education policy and reform
- Social sciences (sociology, anthropology, political science)
- Public administration and governance
- Urban planning and community development
- Environmental and sustainability policy
- Economics and development studies
- Culture, heritage, and identity studies
Not Eligible Fields:
- Business/Marketing
- Agronomy
- Engineering
- IT/Computer Science
- Laboratory-based scientific studies
- Medical degrees
Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grants 2026 Benefits
This is a fully funded doctoral research grant, meaning the Foundation covers all essential costs related to your field research in the UAE.
Here’s what the grant includes:
- Return airfare to UAE
- Furnished accommodation (up to 12 months)
- Monthly living stipend
- ✅ Research support — including equipment, data collection, translation, and events
- ✅ Office space at the Al Qasimi Foundation
- ✅ For UAE-based applicants, a maximum direct research award of 35,000 AED
In addition to financial support, all grant recipients are expected to produce one to two working papers and make at least one public presentation during or after their research period, contributing to the UAE’s policy knowledge base.
Benefits Not Included
Even with such generous support, there are a few things the grant does not automatically cover. You should plan ahead for:
- ❌ Tuition fees for your home doctoral university — this is a field research grant, not a tuition scholarship
- ❌ Personal travel or leisure expenses beyond research-related travel
- ❌ Family or dependent support — the grant is for the researcher only
- ❌ Pre-departure health insurance from your home country (confirm RAK coverage details with the Foundation)
- ❌ Visa and passport fees (verify with the Foundation whether these are reimbursable)
Eligibility Criteria for the Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grants 2026
The Foundation has set clear and transparent eligibility conditions. Before applying, make sure you meet all of the following:
- Be a current PhD student at an accredited university
- Have completed all PhD coursework
- Be ready for dissertation field research
- Have an approved research proposal
- Have IRB approval
- Include RAK or UAE in research
- Have TOEFL 85+ or IELTS 6.5+ (if English is second language)
- Open to all nationalities — no country restriction applies
Expected Deliverables
Recipients must submit:
- Final Report (max 1,500 words)
- Policy Brief
- Research Majlis Presentation
- Policy Paper or Op-Ed
- Research Paper (for peer-reviewed journal)
Selection Criteria
- Academic merit
- Policy relevance of research
- Preference for:
- Education
- Public policy
- Urban planning
- Economics
- Public health
- Environment
- Selected by Foundation Directors & Advisory Board
Required Documents for the Application
You must upload all the following documents through the Foundation’s official online grant management portal:
- Online application form
- 2-page cover letter (essay)
- CV
- Official transcripts
- TOEFL/IELTS (if required)
- Approved research proposal
- Budget template
- IRB approval document
- 2 reference letters (one from PhD advisor)
Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grants 2026 Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
Applying for the Al Qasimi Foundation Doctoral Research Grant is straightforward if you follow these steps carefully:
Step 1 — Create your account
Visit the Al Qasimi Foundation’s official website (alqasimifoundation.com) and create an account in the grant management portal. Do this early — preferably in December 2025 when the cycle opens.
Step 2 — Review the call and instructions
Read the Doctoral Research Grant call, the applicant handbook, and the Budget Template carefully. Understanding the requirements fully before you start writing saves you time and reduces errors.
Step 3 — Prepare your research proposal
Your research proposal must clearly describe how your field research is centered on Ras Al Khaimah or the UAE, with a detailed methodology, literature review, and timeline. IRB approval from your home institution must also be documented or planned.
Step 4 — Write your two-page cover letter
This essay is one of the most important parts of your application. Address all four required points clearly: your past experience, alignment with the Foundation’s mission, what you’ll gain, and your long-term goals.
Step 5 — Gather all supporting documents
Collect your official transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS report (if needed), reference letters, and IRB documentation well in advance of the deadline.
Step 6 — Complete the Budget Template
Fill in the Doctoral Research Grant Budget Template with a realistic and itemized breakdown of all expected research expenses. Be specific and honest — vague budgets often raise red flags for reviewers.
Step 7 — Submit before the deadline
Upload all documents and submit through the portal no later than April 1, 2026 at 23:59 GST. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed under any circumstances.
Tips for a Successful Application
Getting a fully funded research grant is competitive. Here’s how to stand out:
- Align your research tightly with the Foundation’s mission — the clearer your contribution to UAE policymaking, the stronger your application.
- Start early: The portal opens in December, so don’t wait until March to begin preparing documents.
- Be specific in your budget: A well-thought-out, itemized budget shows professionalism and grants reviewers confidence in your planning skills.
- Choose your recommenders wisely: Your doctoral advisor’s letter carries significant weight — make sure they know your research well enough to write a convincing, specific letter.
- Tailor your cover letter: Avoid generic statements. Use the four required essay points as a storytelling structure to convey your genuine motivation and readiness.
- Secure IRB approval early: Applications with confirmed IRB approval are viewed more favorably than those still pending.
- Proofread everything: Even minor formatting or language errors can undermine an otherwise strong application.
Monthly Living Expenses in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (USD)
Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most affordable emirates in the UAE, making it far less expensive than Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Since the grant already covers accommodation and provides a living stipend, your actual out-of-pocket costs should be minimal. However, here’s a practical monthly budget estimate for planning:
| Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost (USD) |
| Accommodation (grant-covered) | ~$0 (covered by grant) |
| Food & groceries | $200 – $350 |
| Local transportation | $80 – $150 |
| Utilities & internet | $60 – $120 |
| Health & personal care | $60 – $100 |
| Leisure & miscellaneous | $80 – $150 |
| Estimated Total (personal) | ~$480 – $870/month |
Since round-trip airfare and accommodation for up to 12 months are fully covered, your personal expenditures in RAK can remain quite manageable. The Foundation’s monthly stipend is intended to offset these living costs during your field research stay.
Why Choose the Al Qasimi Foundation 2026 Doctoral Research Grant?
Here are 7 compelling reasons why this grant deserves a spot at the top of your list:
- Truly fully funded: Round-trip airfare, accommodation, living stipend, and research support — all covered.
- Open to all nationalities: Unlike many grants tied to specific regions, this one truly welcomes doctoral researchers from every country in the world.
- Flexible research disciplines: From education to governance, anthropology to urban planning — if it connects to UAE policy, it qualifies.
- Real policy impact: Your research doesn’t sit in a library — it feeds directly into public policymaking in the UAE and the broader Gulf region.
- Up to 12 months of field research support: A full year of funding is rare for a doctoral grant — most programs offer only a few months.
- Professional growth and networking: Working alongside the Foundation’s team, you gain access to UAE policymakers, local institutions, and an international community of researchers.
- Strong academic output: The requirement to produce 1–2 working papers and present at least once transforms your dissertation chapter into a publication-ready contribution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can students from Bangladesh or other South Asian countries apply?
Absolutely. The grant is open to all nationalities without any country restriction.
Q2: Do I need to speak Arabic?
No. However, if English is not your primary language, you must submit a TOEFL iBT score of at least 85 or an IELTS score of at least 6.5.
Q3: Can I apply if my research isn’t about Ras Al Khaimah specifically?
Your research must include RAK or the broader UAE as a field research or case study location. If it doesn’t, you would not be eligible.
Q4: What happens after I submit my application?
All applications go through three stages: administrative screening, external peer review, and final management approval. This process typically takes 8–10 weeks after the April 1 deadline.
Q5: Do I need to be enrolled in a UAE university?
No — you can be enrolled in an accredited university anywhere in the world, in the UAE or abroad.
Q6: How many working papers do I need to produce?
Grant recipients are required to produce one to two working papers and make at least one public presentation as part of the grant deliverables.
Timeline
- Application opens: December
- Deadline: 1 April (23:59 GST)
- Review process: 8–10 weeks
- Results announced: Late May
- Projects start: June–September
Official Link:
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