Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi has opened global applications for its 2025 Research Fund, offering up to Dhs 1 million to support scholarly projects that explore and preserve the UAE’s rich cultural heritage. Open to both established academics and emerging researchers, the fund invites proposals that deepen understanding of the UAE’s historical, archaeological, and intangible heritage, along with broader studies of the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia.
This initiative, shaped by the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, reflects the nation's ongoing commitment to cultural preservation, intellectual advancement, and global collaboration. For researchers and academics in the nation and beyond, it offers a vital opportunity to receive international recognition and financial backing, while contributing to a growing body of knowledge that informs public education and strengthens national identity.
Since its launch in 2023, the fund has supported eighteen diverse projects from countries including China, India, Egypt, Oman, UK, and UAE, ranging from archaeological fieldwork to historical DNA research, and studies on Sheikh Zayed’s societal impact.
Applications are open until 14 July, and will be reviewed by a panel of local and international experts. For more details or to apply, visit Zayed National Museum's website.