Research Excellence

Virtual Research
Institutes Programme (VRIs)

PROGRAMMES

The Virtual Research Institutes (VRIs) Program is a competitive funding program for outstanding centre-based research proposals in targeted areas within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Initially, three VRIs will be established to stimulate innovation, enable economic diversification and build highly skilled human capital. 

The development of the VRIs will provide a structure with sufficient scale, diversity and multidisciplinarity through academia and industry collaboration, to generate leading relevant research.

 

Priority Sectors

TThe VRIs program will target sectors of strategic importance to Abu Dhabi. Initially, three VRIs will be established with funds of up to AED 70 million over five years. The targeted sectors are specifically the following, with only one VRI to be established per sector:

Sustainability (Energy)
Sustainability (Energy)
artifical
Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing
Food Security
Food Security
advance materials
Advanced Materials
Biotechnology
Biotechnology

 

Awards

At least 10% of the total annual required budget of the VRIs must come from participating HEIs and industry.  

Award amounts will be based on:  

  • Nature and feasibility of the proposed VRIs
  • Practicality of the program budget proposed
  • Level of institutional and industry cost sharing
  • Alignment of the core research concept with the strategic research areas of Abu Dhabi