UAEREP Solidifies its 6th Cycle Solicitation Document

The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) hosted an international assembly of leading scientists, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategic research thrust areas and outline short- and long-term roadmaps for its 6th Cycle.

This cycle will offer grants to up to three winning research proposals, each receiving US$1.5 million distributed over three years. Submissions will open to researchers worldwide at the beginning of next year.

The high-level workshop discussed the Program’s strategic priorities, particularly exploring opportunities for partnerships with local universities and research institutions in the UAE, as well as engagement with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other international entities.

The workshop solidified certain criteria, including the articulation of technology readiness level (TRL) progression for technologies, models, and other relevant deliverables, encouraging the involvement of UAE research community in proposed activities, as well as facilitating upcoming proposals by determining on which high-priority areas UAEREP will focus.

Alya Al Mazroui, UAEREP Director, said: "At UAEREP, we remain committed to enhancing international cooperation within the rain enhancement research community to advance scientific understanding and develop innovative solutions.

"By joining efforts with uniquely selected prominent scientists and experts, we have been able to successfully address our shared global challenges and lay the foundation for our 6th research grant cycle.”

Al Mazroui also emphasized the Program’s dedication to strengthening ties with the scientific community specializing in weather modification and rain enhancement, highlighting that the outstanding results achieved through projects funded by the Program over the past ten years demonstrate the value of such collaborations.

This year, workshop participants focused on five key thrust areas: optimized seeding materials, rain enhancement systems, autonomous unmanned systems (UAS), limited-area climate intervention, and advanced models, software, and data.

The experts covered critical areas of interest for rainfall enhancement applications, such as UAS communication systems and protocols, high reward/high-risk technologies and systems, and novel cloud seeding materials.

Additionally, modeling and software discussions ranged from cloud chamber simulation software for microscale precipitation processes to Big Data analytics for short-term weather forecasting and cloud seeding decision support.