Doha, Qatar: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council’s Small Business Innovation Grant (SBIG), a new national funding program designed to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar to implement and transform innovative ideas into impactful solutions.

Launched during Web Summit Qatar 2025, the SBIG program provides phased funding to support the development and commercialization efforts of innovative technologies, products, or services. This grant is part of QRDI Council’s broader strategy to enhance the national innovation ecosystem and promote sustainable economic diversification, in alignment with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS-3).

Applications for this grant are open now until August 4, 2025.

SBIG provides support in two distinct phases. Phase I focuses on early-stage innovation, offering funding for feasibility studies and proof-of-concept development over a 6 to 12-month period. Phase II builds on the outcomes of Phase I, providing additional funding over 12 to 24 months to support prototype testing, technological development, and the achievement of project readiness for marketing.

The grant focuses on SMEs operating in strategic sectors such as Medical and Healthcare, Logistics and Transportation, Smart Cities, Creativity, Arts, Tourism, and Emerging Digital Technologies.

QRDI Council invites all eligible SMEs to utilize this opportunity to access non-dilutive funding and state-of-the-art innovation infrastructure in Qatar. The SBIG initiative reflects QRDI Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting homegrown innovators and driving knowledge-based economic growth in Qatar.

For full details and to begin the application process, visit the Innolight platform or contact the QRDI Council directly.

About QRDI Council

QRDI Council is a government entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto “locally empowered, globally connected”. Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council’s commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030. QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centers worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar's growth and prosperity. To delve deeper into QRDI Council's endeavors and vision:

Website: www.qrdi.org.qa

Stay Connected: Engage with the QRDI Council on various social media channels to stay updated on the Council’s latest activities and achievements.
Follow QRDI on - Instagram - LinkedIn - X - YouTube - : Facebook