Call for Proposals: Research Top-Up Fund (Qatar)

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The Research Top-Up Fund (RTF) supports ongoing research projects led by academic and government entities in Qatar by providing additional funding alongside existing research grants and co-funding arrangements. The fund offers up to QAR 3.6 million (USD 1 million) per project for projects lasting up to three years. It focuses on strengthening research quality, innovation, collaboration, and impact in areas including engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, and social sciences. The Research Top-Up Fund (RTF) is a new funding mechanism introduced by the QRDI Council to increase the value and impact of existing research investments in Qatar. The fund provides additional financial support to ongoing research projects, helping researchers strengthen their work, improve scientific rigor, and expand opportunities for innovation and collaboration. RTF is designed to work alongside existing national and international funding sources rather than replacing them. The Research Top-Up Fund aims to amplify the impact of existing research grants and co-funding arrangements.

The fund seeks to:

Up to QAR 3.6 million (USD 1 million) is available for each project.

The maximum project duration is:

The funding is intended to strengthen ongoing research rather than support entirely independent projects without existing co-funding arrangements. Applicants must provide proof of in-cash co-funding of at least USD 1 million. This requirement reflects the fund’s co-investment model, where RTF works alongside national and international funders to increase the overall value of existing research projects. Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate that the required financial contribution is available in cash. The programme requires a significant portion of project resources and effort to be expended inside Qatar.

Applicants must ensure that:

These requirements are intended to ensure that the supported research generates substantial activity and impact within Qatar. The Research Top-Up Fund supports projects in several broad research areas.

Priority areas include:

The broader thematic focus includes:

Projects should demonstrate relevance to the fund’s objectives and contribute to strengthening research and innovation in Qatar. The fund supports ongoing research projects led by academic and government entities in Qatar. The Lead Principal Investigator (LPI) must meet specific institutional and academic requirements.

The LPI must:

Applicants should confirm that their submitting institution is approved under the programme requirements before preparing an application. The Lead Principal Investigator plays a central role in the application. Each LPI must be affiliated with an approved submitting institution in Qatar and possess an approved terminal degree. An LPI can submit only one application per cycle. Researchers should therefore select their strongest eligible project when preparing an application for a particular funding cycle. RTF operates as a co-investment mechanism.

The general funding model involves:

This approach is intended to maximize the return on research investments already made by national and international funders. The Research Top-Up Fund is designed to increase the value of research investments already supporting projects in Qatar. By adding funding to ongoing research initiatives, the mechanism can help research teams strengthen their scientific work and pursue additional opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The fund also supports Qatar’s broader objective of maintaining a competitive position in research and development at the global level. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how additional RTF support will strengthen their existing research project. A strong application should clearly establish: Applicants should also ensure that their proposed project demonstrates clear potential for scientific, innovative, collaborative, or societal impact. The Research Top-Up Fund is a QRDI Council mechanism that provides additional financial support to ongoing research projects in Qatar and aims to increase the value and impact of existing research investments. Projects can have a maximum duration of three years. Yes. Applicants must provide proof of in-cash co-funding of at least USD 1 million. The fund supports ongoing research projects led by academic and government entities in Qatar, subject to the programme’s institutional and investigator requirements. The LPI must be affiliated with an approved submitting institution within Qatar. Yes. The LPI must hold an approved terminal degree. Each LPI can submit only one application per cycle. At least 80% of the total annual budget must be expended inside Qatar. At least 65% of the project effort must be expended inside Qatar. Priority areas include engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, and social sciences, with broader themes covering resource sustainability, health and life sciences, digital technology, and societal advancement. The fund is designed as a top-up and co-investment mechanism alongside existing research grants and co-funding arrangements, so applicants should demonstrate the relevant existing funding and required co-funding. The Research Top-Up Fund provides additional financial support to ongoing research projects in Qatar, helping researchers strengthen scientific quality, innovation, collaboration, and overall research impact. With up to QAR 3.6 million (USD 1 million) per project for up to three years, the fund offers substantial additional support for eligible research initiatives. Applicants must meet the co-funding requirement, ensure that a significant share of project spending and effort occurs inside Qatar, and have an eligible Lead Principal Investigator affiliated with an approved Qatari institution. For academic and government research entities seeking to expand the value and impact of existing research investments, RTF provides a targeted co-investment opportun