ABU DHABI, 28th May 2025 (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 cycle.

The shortlist was finalised following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the programme's International Technical Review Committee comprising a diverse panel experts and specialists who met virtually from 20th to 21st May 2025 to agree on the final selection.

Submissions 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 collaboration.

The 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 Data.

Researchers whose pre-proposals have been shortlisted are being invited to submit full proposals by 28th August 2025. The winners of the research grants will be announced in January 2026 following a second stage of merit-based review.

As part of its sixth cycle, UAEREP offers a grant of up US$1.5 million (AED5.511 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 $550,000.

Dr. 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 continents.

Researchers 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 Data.

Applicants who were not shortlisted will be provided with the panel's feedback and review scores as an incentive to submit for future cycles.

This 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 28th to 30th January 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.