Sharjah opens the door for nominations for"Al Faya Research Grant" To support cultural heritage science and scientific research
Sharjah, January 20 / WAM / The Emirate of Sharjah announced the opening of nominations for the “Al Faya Research Grant” as a pioneering scientific initiative aimed at enhancing global knowledge about human history and environmental changes throughout different eras, by supporting specialized scientific research at the “Al Faya” site, which is listed on the World Heritage List as a site of exceptional global importance.
The announcement of the grant by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the Al Faya World Heritage Site, represents a historic milestone that culminates decades of archaeological research and excavation work and international scientific studies that contributed to enhancing knowledge related to early human settlement in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Sharjah Antiquities Authority is managing the Al Faya Research Grant, with a total of two million dirhams, in coordination with the Scientific Committee of the Al Faya World Heritage Site. The grant, which extends over the years 2026 to 2028, aims to support independent and influential research that strengthens the scientific foundations of the exceptional global importance of the Al Faya site and consolidates the position of Sharjah and the UAE as a global center for heritage sciences, scientific research in prehistoric times, and knowledge production.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi said that the inclusion of Al Faya on the UNESCO World Heritage List represents a great responsibility and a starting point towards more global achievements, and that the “Al Faya Research Grant” represents an investment by Sharjah in the essence of scientific investigation and research, in international cooperation, and in the next generation of researchers, pointing out that the Al Faya site contributes to expanding the horizons of knowledge about early human migration outside Africa and its ability to adapt and innovate.
She added that the grant ensures the sustainability of Al Faya website’s contribution to promoting global knowledge.
For his part, His Excellency Issa Yousef, Director General of the Sharjah Archeology Authority, said that the launch of the grant represents a clear operational framework to advance scientific archaeological research at the site in the coming years, by combining financing and logistical and institutional support, noting that it contributes to providing the necessary tools for field work, study, analysis and accurate scientific results, and allows the compatibility of research activities with the long-term management and scientific priorities of the Al Faya World Heritage Site, while ensuring the acquisition of new knowledge and continuing to serve international scientific research and build Emirati capabilities.
The “Al Faya Research Grant” includes three integrated funding streams to support sustainable scientific research and specialized research interventions, including a long-term research grant for a period of three years as a comprehensive research project aimed at reconstructing ancient environments and understanding prehistoric human settlement in Al Faya.
The second track is divided into 6 short-term research grants, two grants annually, as short-term field work projects or research on archaeological or environmental topics in areas such as digital heritage modeling or cultural heritage preservation.
The third track is embodied in a guidance fellowship dedicated to Emirati youth in cooperation with the University of Tübingen, which aims to develop national capabilities in archaeology through practical training, field experiences, and international cooperation.
The logistical services provided by the Sharjah Antiquities Authority, in addition to financial funding, enable researchers to direct resources towards scientific analysis, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and the production of high-quality data sets. All funded projects must be completely independent and contribute directly to the development of scientific knowledge of the prehistoric cultural landscape of Al Faya.
The scholarship is open to researchers of all nationalities after meeting the academic qualifications criteria, which include the candidate obtaining a doctorate degree with a proven record of publications and internationally peer-reviewed research papers, in addition to experience in prehistoric antiquities or ancient environments, and the skills of working independently and within multidisciplinary teams. The criteria also include experience in organizing and leading field projects, managing research databases, co-authoring, and developing research publications.
The Guidance Fellowship accepts exclusively UAE nationals who are undergraduate or graduate students or recent graduates in archaeology, history, anthropology or natural sciences after meeting the nomination criteria.
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