Dubai: The UAE's National Research Foundation (NRF) has received a fund injection of Dh12 million from the Ministry of Finance that will now enable it fund various research projects.

The announcement was made by outgoing NRF Director, Dr Kenneth Wilson at the 2011 Ankabut User's Meeting held at Zayed University yesterday. Dr Wilson is to be replaced by Dr Hussam Al Ulama who will take over as the foundation's director.

"This is the NRF's fourth year of operation and although we've previously run competitions for research funding, it's always been a battle getting projects off the ground," said Dr Wilson. "I have good news to announce the funding has now arrived from the Ministry of Finance."

Dr Wilson told Gulf News the amount received was around Dh12 million and would be used to fund seven ‘hot topics' of focus requested by the Prime Minister's office. He added an additional number of around 20 individual projects would also receive funding.

"The exact number of projects to receive funding is difficult to say because we've got to assess their budgets, but the less money we give the more projects we can fund," he said. "However, the individual projects will get around Dh200,000 each for the first year."

Insight

The ‘hot topics' of national Research and Development (R&D) the NRF has been directed to fund by the Prime Minster's office focus on understanding the local Emirati population. They include gaining insight into the aspirations of young Emriati's, using social networks and mobile messaging to enhance national pride and investigating the educational aspirations and expectations of young nationals.

Research

Hot topics in focus

1. Gaining insight into the aspirations of young Emiratis

2. Investigating the justice system experience of young Emiratis

3. Investigating labour market behaviour and the characteristics of unemployed nationals

4. Using social networks and mobile messaging to enhance national pride

5. Investigating educational aspirations, expectations of young Emiratis living in a digital world

6. Investigating the competitiveness of the UAE's economy in relation to the economic diversification strategies of Dubai, Abu Dhabi

7. Analysis of the health status of Emiratis