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Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Science
- Al Etihad
UAEREP approves shortlist of research proposals in its sixth cycle
28 May 2025 15:32 ABU DHABI (WAM)The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), managed by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), has announced the selection of 16 innovative pre-proposals from the 140 submissions received as part of the programme's sixth shortlist was finalised following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the programme's International Technical Review Committee, comprising a diverse panel of experts and specialists who met virtually from May 20 to 21, 2025 to agree on the final were scored based on their alignment with the programme's core research areas, scientific excellence, potential impact, the expertise of proposers, and the extent of multidisciplinary invited proposals cover all five research thrust areas of the programme, namely, Optimised Seeding Materials, Novel Cloud Formation and/or Rain Enhancement Systems, Autonomous Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Limited-Area Climate Interventions, and Advanced Models, Software, and whose pre-proposals have been shortlisted are being invited to submit full proposals by August 28, 2025. The winners of the research grants will be announced in January 2026 following a second stage of merit-based part of its sixth cycle, UAEREP offers a grant of up $1.5 million (Dh5.511 million) for each winning project proposal. The grant will be distributed among up to three innovative research projects over three years, with a maximum annual amount of $550, Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Director-General of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), said, "Through the National Centre of Meteorology, the UAE continues to lead global efforts in advancing rain enhancement research, in line with our leadership's vision to address water scarcity and promote climate resilience. "The shortlisting of pre-proposals for the UAEREP's sixth cycle reflects this ongoing commitment by supporting high-potential projects that demonstrate scientific excellence and innovation across the program's core research areas. By advancing pioneering research and fostering international collaboration, NCM is helping develop impactful solutions that reinforce the UAE's position as a global hub for rain enhancement science."Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP, said, "The shortlisting of pre-proposals in this sixth cycle reflects UAEREP's strategic focus on identifying high-quality scientific research that aligns with the program's evolving research priorities. I extend my sincere appreciation to each member of our esteemed technical review committee for their dedication and expertise in ensuring a comprehensive and transparent evaluation of the pre-proposals. "Over the past month, the Committee's discussions emphasised the importance of scientific merit, technical feasibility, and operational scalability in identifying solutions that support international efforts to ensure water security. As we move into the next stage, I look forward to seeing these proposals evolve into impactful projects with real-world applications, further reinforcing the UAE's leadership in addressing water security challenges through scientific research."Earlier, NCM announced that the UAEREP's sixth cycle attracted 140 pre-proposals, marking a 47% increase compared to the Fifth Cycle. These submissions were received from 96 research teams and 44 individual researchers representing 48 countries across five were invited to submit innovative research proposals aligned with the program's five priority research areas, underpinning the program's 10-year roadmap, namely, Optimised Seeding Materials, Novel Cloud Formation and/or Rain Enhancement Systems, Autonomous UAS, Limited-Area Climate Interventions, and Advanced Models, Software, and who were not shortlisted will be provided with the panel's feedback and review scores as an incentive to submit for future sixth cycle drew proposals from several leading industry, academic and research institutions within the UAE and internationally, 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), the American University of Sharjah, and GAL (Global Aerospace Logistics).Proposals were also submitted by prominent government entities, such as the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the Chinese Meteorological Administration's Weather Modification Centre, the South Korean National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).UAEREP's sixth cycle was officially launched at the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), held from January 28-30, 2025. This cycle builds upon the programme's renewed vision that aims to establish UAEREP as the global hub for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of rain enhancement technologies and operations that contribute to global water security.
Al Etihad
17-04-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
UAEREP's 6th Cycle submission period programme receives 140 research proposals
17 Apr 2025 15:55 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has announced the conclusion of the submission period for the Sixth Cycle of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP).This cycle has attracted 140 innovative research proposals, marking a 47 percent increase from the Fifth submissions opened on January 28, 2025, coinciding with the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), and closed on March 20, 2025, spanning 52 Sixth Cycle drew proposals from 96 research teams and 44 individual researchers from 48 countries across five continents. Key participants included the UAE with 29 submissions, the United States with 23, India with 22, Nigeria with nine, South Africa and Pakistan with six, Australia, Egypt, Russia, Kenya and Rwanda with five, China and Jordan with submitted research proposals covered the Sixth Cycle's five core research areas, with 49 proposals focusing on optimised seeding materials, 71 on novel cloud formation and rain enhancement systems, 42 on autonomous unmanned aircraft systems, 63 on limited-area climate interventions, and 75 on advanced models, software, and will evaluate these pre-proposals based on their alignment with the programme's core research thrust areas, scientific excellence, potential impact, the expertise of the proposers, and the extent of multidisciplinary applicants will be notified of their initial pre-proposal evaluation results and invited to submit full proposals by May 20, 2025, with final submissions due by August 28, 2025. Following a rigorous two-stage merit review process, the winners of the research grants will be announced in January Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of NCM and President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), said, 'With global water security at the forefront of international climate action and sustainability agendas, the strong response to the programme's Sixth Cycle underscores the growing recognition of the UAE's commitment to exploring innovative approaches for addressing water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions. By leading a collaborative research approach, we aim to develop impactful solutions that support sustainable water resource management worldwide.'Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP, said, 'Moving forward, we will identify projects that align with UAEREP's vision and roadmap – projects that introduce ground-breaking ideas, build on past progress and achievements, and move us closer to achieving tangible operational impact in the field of rain enhancement. Our aim is to support research that accelerates technology readiness, fosters new scientific insights, and enhances the effectiveness of rain enhancement strategies to address global water security challenges.'As part of its 6th Cycle, UAEREP offers a grant of up $1.5 million (Dh5.511 million) for each winning project proposal. The grant will be distributed among up to three innovative research projects over three years, with a maximum annual amount of $550, programme's Sixth Cycle attracted participation from several leading universities and research centres within the UAE and worldwide. Key academic institutions submitting proposals included Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the American University of Sharjah, Emirates Aviation University, Abu Dhabi University, UAE University, GAL (Global Aerospace Logistics), the University of California (Irvine and Los Angeles), Columbia University, Princeton University, Victoria University, ETH Zurich, Stockholm University, Kyoto University, Tsinghua University, Politecnico of Milan, and York programme also drew proposals from renowned government entities, including the National Centre of Atmospheric Research Centre (NCAR), Weather Modification Centre China Meteorological Administration, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences – South Korea, Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Egyptian Meteorological Authority, Pakistan Meteorological Department, and Kenya Meteorological Department. UAEREP's Sixth Cycle was officially launched during the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), held from January 28 to 30, This cycle builds upon the programme's newly defined vision to establish UAEREP as the global hub for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of rain enhancement technologies and operations that contribute to global water security.
Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE can get up to 25% more rain with new technologies, says expert
The UAE has the potential to boost rainfall by up to 25 per cent with new technologies that could emerge from the upcoming sixth cycle of its rain enhancement programme, a top official said on Tuesday. 'Studies show that using new technologies can increase rainfall by 10 to 25 per cent, depending on factors such as atmospheric conditions," said Alya Al Mazrouei, director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). "The results improve with cleaner atmospheres, advancements in materials, and enhancements in techniques and methodologies. By focusing on these elements, we can significantly increase the effectiveness of our operations.' Al Mazrouei was speaking on the sidelines of the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), which kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The UAEREP has officially opened its 6th cycle for submissions of innovative research proposals. Winning projects are eligible for grants of up to $1.5 million (Dh5.511 million) each. The programme invites innovative research proposals focusing on five key areas: Optimised seeding materials Novel systems for cloud formation and rain enhancement Autonomous UAS Localised climate interventions Advanced models, software, and data analysis 300% increase in large water droplets Currently, the country is using nanotechnology-based cloud-seeding materials, which have proven to be highly effective. The use of these materials — exclusively manufactured at the National Centre of Meteorology's (NCM) Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory — has led to a 300-per-cent increase in large water droplets compared to conventional seeding techniques. The country is now moving towards the commercialisation phase of this technology. Discussing the breakthrough, Al Mazrouei added: 'Traditionally, we used hygroscopic materials, which were a natural choice. The nanomaterial stands out due to its composition, containing a 10-per-cent concentration of titanium dioxide, which enhances its effectiveness. ' She reiterated that through this cycle, the UAEREP's goal is to build on the significant achievements of previous cycles, enabling various rain enhancement initiatives to enhance their strategies, streamline their operations, and achieve better precipitation results. 'Unlike conventional materials that require burning flares to optimise droplet size, the new nanomaterial is a fine powder — only 250g per flare — that is dispersed once, making it more efficient in both operations and material usage. This innovation is a tangible outcome of our efforts, now ready for practical application, and it has significantly improved the effectiveness of cloud-seeding operations,' she added. Addressing global water security Aiming to expand global water security by promoting best practices and collaboration in rain enhancement research, the programme continues to identify scientifically verified and sustainably implementable methods of enhancing rainfall in the UAE and beyond. Today, cloud-seeding operations are conducted by a permanent unit at the NCM's meteorological department, which conducts operations across the UAE. No harmful chemicals are used in these operations. When asked why cloud-seeding is now considered a more attractive idea, with reduced scepticism and resistance, Mohammed Mahmoud, CEO and founder of the Climate and Water Initiative (CWI) said: 'It is because the world — and especially this part, and the Middle East, North Africa region — is desperate to secure its water resources to meet the growing demands of its population … whether it's human consumptive needs for drinking water, water for food, agriculture, which consumes the most amount of water, whether it's for industry and manufacturing. "Even in terms of energy, you need water to help not just to generate energy and renewable energy ... but [to run] regular power plants need. So, if there's anything we can pull out of our tool logs to increase our potential water supplies, why shouldn't we go for it? This (cloud-seeding) is just one such thing.' The UAE programme has made "remarkable progress in advancing rain enhancement technologies and providing innovative solutions to address water scarcity", said Abdulla Al Mandous, director-general of the NCM and president of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 'I would like to express our deepest gratitude to our wise leadership, whose continuous support has been the driving force behind the success of the UAEREP over the past 10 years," Al Mandous said. "I am proud to highlight that the UAE's leadership in fostering international research collaboration has earned global recognition for its impactful role in transforming local communities and shaping the global dialogue on water sustainability.'
