Sharjah opens the door for nominations for the first session of "Granting a mentorship fellowship for Emirati youth" At Al Faya World Heritage Site

Sharjah, 18 March / WAM / The Government of Sharjah, under the supervision of the Sharjah Archeology Authority, has opened the door for nominations for the first cycle of the “Guidance Fellowship Grants for Emirati Youth”, in partnership with the University of Tübingen in Germany, providing Emirati students and graduates with practical training opportunities, experience in field work, and enhancing international research experience at the “Al Faya” site, which is included on the World Heritage List.

The “Guidance Fellowship Grants for Emirati Youth” targets the age group up to 35 years, and is part of the “Al Faya Research Scholarship” programme. It is a pioneering scientific initiative worth two million dirhams, extending over the period 2026-2028. It was launched by the Government of Sharjah and managed by the Sharjah Archeology Authority in coordination with the Scientific Committee of the Al Faya World Heritage Site. It includes three funding tracks: One long-term research grant, six short-term research grants, and one mentorship fellowship for Emirati youth.

The program was launched with the aim of strengthening the scientific foundations and the exceptional universal value of the Al Faya Site, and building future generations of Emirati heritage experts, with Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi assuming the position of Ambassador of the Al Faya World Heritage Site.

Following the inclusion of Al-Faya on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, international interest in the archaeological and scientific value of the site grew. The granting of the Extension Fellowship comes in response to this interest by integrating Emirati students and graduates into an active research environment at a world heritage site, and linking academic study to archaeological practices on the ground, with a special focus on Stone Age archeology.

By bringing together emerging national competencies with expertise in archaeology and ongoing field work at Al Faya, the fellowship contributes to transforming the World Heritage Site into a center of local expertise and knowledge, in addition to providing long-term support through local specialists to the Al Faya site. One of the oldest sites of human settlement in desert areas in the world, dating back 210,000 years.

The Al Faya Research Grant program focuses on archaeological studies and analysis, reconstruction of ancient environments, digital modeling of heritage, and its preservation.

In addition to the mentorship fellowship, the program includes six short-term research grants and one long-term research grant, addressing studies in the field of paleoenvironment, cultural landscape, and human settlement in prehistoric times. The Sharjah Antiquities Authority provides infrastructure and logistical support, enabling participants and researchers to focus on scientific research, specialized analysis, academic publications, and technical results.

All research activities within the program must be fully independent, and results must be attributed directly to the Al Faya Research Grant. Activities that represent a continuation, extension or subproject of existing international research programs are not eligible.

In this track, an initial batch of 10-15 Emirati participants is invited to join the first phase, an intensive workshop on the Stone Age held in Sharjah. This stage works as a foundation program and as a selection stage at the same time, after which a limited number of participants are nominated to move on to the international stages of the fellowship.

The nominated fellows move on an organized international path that includes visits to study major sites from the Upper Paleolithic period and museum collections in Germany, followed by a period of extensive applied fieldwork in the Hohle Fels Cave, which is listed as a World Heritage Site, under the supervision of a specialized academic. The fellowship concludes with applied fieldwork at the Al Faya site, allowing international experience to be translated directly into local archaeological practice and sustainable site management.

Over a three-year period from 2026 to 2028, one fellowship will be awarded each year, and each fellowship lasts for one year. The annual budget for each fellowship is up to AED 166,666, with a total allocation of up to AED 500,000 over the duration of the program. Funding supports fieldwork, academic advising, research-related activities, travel requirements and logistics.

The Mentorship Fellowships for Emirati Youth was established to address the limited number of Stone Age experts in the UAE, by building sustainable national expertise in prehistoric archaeology, paleoecology and the cultural landscape. The initiative combines academic roots, field experience and international cooperation, integrating emerging Emirati researchers into active research environments within world heritage sites, and supporting the site’s long-term management.

The “Guidance Fellowships for Emirati Youth” are offered in cooperation with the Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen, one of 11 leading universities and institutions in archaeological research in Germany. This collaboration provides fellows with access to internationally recognized academic expertise and advanced fieldwork curricula, reinforcing the program’s focus on capacity building through applied learning and cross-border knowledge exchange.

The fellowship is open to citizens of the United Arab Emirates. Eligible categories include: undergraduate or graduate students, graduates within the past five years, or individuals at an early stage in their career who demonstrate their intention to continue working professionally in archaeology, heritage, or related scientific fields. Applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in the English language, along with a strong motivation to build a long-term career in this field.

The “Guidance Fellowships for Emirati Youth” receives applications exclusively in English until March 31, 2026. Application requirements and supporting documents can be viewed through the official “Al Faya Research Scholarship” portal.

The program’s time frame and research outputs were carefully designed, based on a supportive institutional infrastructure that ensures quality implementation and follow-up. A deliberate amount of flexibility may be adopted when needed to keep pace with operational variables or external developments, provided that all concerned parties are informed of any amendments in a timely manner.

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