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.

About the Research Top-Up Fund

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. What Is the Purpose of the Fund? The Research Top-Up Fund aims to amplify the impact of existing research grants and co-funding arrangements.

The fund seeks to:

- Strengthen ongoing research projects. - Enhance scientific rigor. - Promote innovation. - Encourage research collaboration. - Maximize the return on existing research investments. - Strengthen Qatar’s research and development competitiveness. - Support research with potential national and international impact. How Much Funding Is Available? Up to QAR 3.6 million (USD 1 million) is available for each project.

The maximum project duration is:

- Up to three years. - Funding is provided as additional support alongside existing research investments. - Applicants must demonstrate the required co-funding. The funding is intended to strengthen ongoing research rather than support entirely independent projects without existing co-funding arrangements. Co-Funding Requirement 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. Where Must the Research Be Conducted? The programme requires a significant portion of project resources and effort to be expended inside Qatar.

Applicants must ensure that:

- At least 80% of the total annual budget is expended inside Qatar. - At least 65% of the project effort is carried out inside Qatar. These requirements are intended to ensure that the supported research generates substantial activity and impact within Qatar. Research Priority Areas The Research Top-Up Fund supports projects in several broad research areas.

Priority areas include:

- Engineering and technology. - Medical and health sciences. - Social sciences.

The broader thematic focus includes:

- Resource sustainability. - Health and life sciences. - Digital technology. - Societal advancement. Projects should demonstrate relevance to the fund’s objectives and contribute to strengthening research and innovation in Qatar. Who Can Apply? 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:

- Be affiliated with an approved submitting institution within Qatar. - Hold an approved terminal degree. - Submit only one application per funding cycle. Applicants should confirm that their submitting institution is approved under the programme requirements before preparing an application. Lead Principal Investigator Requirements 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. How the Research Top-Up Fund Works RTF operates as a co-investment mechanism.

The general funding model involves:

- An existing research project has national or international funding or co-funding arrangements. - The applicant demonstrates the required in-cash co-funding. - The project is assessed against the RTF requirements and research priorities. - Additional funding is provided through RTF to strengthen the project. - The research team uses the combined resources to increase the project’s scientific value, innovation, collaboration, and impact. This approach is intended to maximize the return on research investments already made by national and international funders. Why the Fund Matters for Research in Qatar 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. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly demonstrate how additional RTF support will strengthen their existing research project. A strong application should clearly establish: - The purpose and progress of the ongoing research project. - The value of additional funding. - The project’s relevance to the RTF priority areas. - Evidence of at least USD 1 million in-cash co-funding. - How at least 80% of the annual budget will be expended inside Qatar. - How at least 65% of project effort will take place inside Qatar. - The eligibility of the submitting institution. - The qualifications and institutional affiliation of the LP