The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), managed by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), has successfully concluded the evaluation phase of its Sixth Cycle grant selection.
Following a two-day meeting of the International Technical Review Committee at NCM headquarters in Abu Dhabi on 7–8 October 2025, the program has announced the selection of qualified proposals that will advance to the final award stage.
The winning projects and newly selected awardees will be officially announced in January 2026.
13 Full Proposals, 58 Researchers, 9 Countries
The Sixth Cycle received 13 comprehensive proposals, developed by 58 researchers, scientists, and experts representing 38 leading institutions across nine countries, including the UAE.
Proposals were evaluated through a detailed and transparent review framework based on five weighted criteria:
Scientific and technical merit, significance, and innovation (35%)
Research approach (20%)
Investigator/team expertise (20%)
Capacity building potential (15%)
Resources and budget (10%)
Building on a Decade of Global Innovation in Rain Science
His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the National Center of Meteorology and President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), commended the high quality of submissions, noting:
“Over the course of its five previous cycles, the UAEREP has built a strong global reputation as a focal point for groundbreaking innovation addressing global water stress. This achievement aligns with the UAE’s commitment to climate resilience and sustainable water resource management. As we enter the Sixth Cycle, the program continues to pursue innovative solutions to mitigate water scarcity through productive international collaborations.”
Global Collaboration Driving Science and Impact
Alya Al Mazroui, Director of UAEREP, expressed appreciation for the International Technical Review Committee’s contribution:
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the committee for their dedication and scientific insight throughout the multi-phase evaluation process. The selected proposals represent months of rigorous effort and cutting-edge thinking across diverse methodologies and technologies. The UAEREP remains committed to supporting innovators in transforming their ideas into solutions that deliver tangible benefits to communities in the UAE and worldwide.”
From 140 Submissions to Global Finalists
Launched during the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) in January 2025, the Sixth Cycle attracted 140 initial submissions. Following a pre-proposal review in May 2025, 16 projects advanced to the full-proposal stage. Researchers were invited to submit comprehensive proposals by 28 August 2025, aligned with the program’s five priority areas outlined in UAEREP’s 10-year strategic roadmap:
Optimized Seeding Materials
Novel Cloud Formation and Rain Enhancement Systems
Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Limited-Area Climate Interventions
Advanced Models, Software, and Data
Leading Global Institutions Participate
Participating institutions span elite research and industry networks, including the University of California (Irvine and Los Angeles), Columbia University, Princeton University, Victoria University, ETH Zurich, Stockholm University, Kyoto University, Tsinghua University, Politecnico di Milano, Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), American University of Sharjah, and Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL).
Government entities such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Chinese Meteorological Administration’s Weather Modification Centre, South Korea’s National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also submitted proposals — underscoring the program’s international stature and scientific credibility.
Funding and Strategic Vision
Under the Sixth Cycle, UAEREP offers up to US$1.5 million (AED 5.51 million) per project over three years, with an annual cap of US$550,000. Up to three innovative research projects will be funded through this cycle.
This grant supports UAEREP’s renewed strategic vision to position the UAE as a global hub for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced rain enhancement technologies — directly contributing to global water security and climate resilience.
About UAEREP:
Launched by the National Center of Meteorology in 2015, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science aims to advance scientific understanding and technological innovation in weather modification. Through competitive grants, global partnerships, and technology transfer, the program fosters scalable solutions to address water scarcity worldwide.