Al Jalila Foundation invites local scientists to apply for 2015 medical research programmes

• Seed grants available to all nationalities in the UAE
• Fellowships will enable Emiratis to train at leading global institutions
• Professor Sehamuddin Galadari: “We hope to attract even more aspiring researchers to the programme, and look forward to developing the next generation of innovators in health sciences.”
• Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama:  “Our funding enables promising scientists to focus their imagination and time towards developing innovative medical research.”

Dubai, UAE, 06 April 2015 – Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education, and research, welcomes applicants to its fellowship and seed grant programmes, which for the second year aim to improve healthcare in the UAE by supporting talented biomedicine academics.

Professor Sehamuddin Galadari, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Cell Biology and Academic & Research Advisor of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “As we move forward with the development of the Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, the UAE’s first ever independent multi-disciplinary medical research centre, we are looking to support the brightest local minds in biomedical research to study at leading institutions and develop both personally and academically. Their research and training will play an important role in developing the UAE’s medical sector, and may lead to life-changing discoveries in the future. As we launch the second cycle of research grants this year, we hope to attract even more aspiring researchers to the programme, and look forward to developing the next generation of innovators in health sciences.”

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “I am thrilled that following an extensive international peer review process, our funding last year enabled 16 promising scientists to focus their imagination and time towards developing innovative medical research. This will enable us to cultivate a healthcare sector that can offer specialised treatments to patients closer to home. We extend our gratitude to our generous donors, who are not only changing the lives of gifted individuals, but will help to better the health of the nation for years to come.”

Dr Abdulkareem added: “By supporting talented academics, Al Jalila Foundation is building on our mission to change lives by laying the foundations for a biomedical research environment here in the UAE.”

 
Last year over AED 4 million was assigned to 15 research funding schemes and one international medical research fellowship in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health.

This included research teams from UAE University; Khalifa University of Science and Technology; Gulf Medical University Ajman; University of Sharjah; New York University of Abu Dhabi; Zayed University and Latifa Hospital.

Dr Shehab Al Ansari, an Emirati medical student, was awarded a one-year fellowship for cardiovascular research training at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, USA. 

Researchers are invited to apply for seed grants of up to AED 300,000, which will give them the opportunity to investigate regional health issues through basic science, applied, or clinical research projects. The grants are available to all nationalities, provided the research is conducted in the UAE. Applicants should hold positions at local universities, research institutions or hospitals/clinics and will be assessed through an international peer review process.

The fellowships are available exclusively to Emirati biomedical professionals, offering them the opportunity to train at world-renowned institutions, with an aim to migrate cutting edge medical applications to the UAE. Applicants will be considered by the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee for a place on a three-month Student Research Elective or year-long Research Training Support programme.

The application deadline for 2015 fellowships is 30 April 2015, and for seed grants is 15 May 2015. Fellowship recipients will be announced by 15 June 2015 and seed grant recipients will be announced by 30 November 2015.

For more information about the grants and application forms please e-mail research@aljalilafoundation.ae