The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), overseen by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), will unveil three new awardees for its Sixth Cycle grants at a press conference on 21 January at the NCM headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The selected projects align with UAEREP’s key research priorities, which underpin the programme’s 10-year roadmap: Optimised Seeding Materials, Autonomous UAS, Limited-Area Climate Interventions, and Advanced Models, Software, and Data. Each awardee will present an overview of their winning proposal, highlighting their scientific methodology, expected outcomes, and potential contributions to global water security.
Research into optimised seeding materials aims to develop advanced cloud-seeding substances and innovative delivery techniques to enhance rainfall stimulation. Limited-area climate interventions explore localised methods such as solar radiation management and exploiting regional atmospheric conditions to improve cloud formation and precipitation.
Meanwhile, work on advanced models, software, and data focuses on creating sophisticated forecasting tools and decision-support systems that leverage data assimilation and machine learning to refine cloud dynamics modelling and operational efficiency.
Each grant recipient will receive up to US$1.5mn (AED5.511mn) over three years, with a maximum annual allocation of US$550,000. The funding is intended to accelerate next-generation rain enhancement technologies and address emerging challenges in water security worldwide, positioning the UAE at the forefront of climate innovation.
The announcement continues UAEREP’s commitment to fostering scientific research that supports sustainable water resources and strengthens the country’s expertise in cloud-seeding and rainfall enhancement technologies.
UAE to announce new rain enhancement research grant winners
