New Funding Programme Provides Research Opportunities for Postdoctoral Scholars Across Qatar
Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a centre of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), has awarded 13 grants to PhD scientists in Qatar conducting research in the fields of social sciences, engineering and technology, and natural sciences.
QNRF announced that the awarded candidates of the first cycle of the Postdoctoral Research Award (PDRA) are from Qatar University, Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMU-Q) and the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI).
One of the awarded proposals from TAMU-Q will investigate an efficient way of converting carbon dioxide into methanol to reduce emissions and develop low-cost, efficient and sustainable alternative energy resources. Meanwhile, a proposal from Qatar University will seek to develop inexpensive, high-performance electric generators by converting heat energy from the sun into electrical energy.
In addition, another innovative proposal from QEERI will utilize several methods to develop graphene, a strong, pure carbon known to conduct heat and electricity with great efficiency. The goal of the research is to control the surface wettability of graphene in order to improve electrochemical energy storage.
QNRF programmes are designed to engage researchers with different levels of experience, from students to top-tier scientists. PDRA is one of QNRF's new funding programmes created to attract the best PhD graduates from around the world to pursue their research careers in institutions within Qatar.
PDRA funds researchers in Qatar who have earned their PhD degree no more than five years prior to the proposal submission. The submitted proposals undergo two rounds of rigorous review - a scientific merit review and a programmatic review. The funding programme provides successful applicants with up to two years of financial support, which can be extended for one additional year.
QNRF's Executive Director, Dr Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, said: "Our goal with this programme is to attract top-notch postdoctoral scholars to work within research groups located in Qatar in areas considered as national priorities as outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy (QNRS). We are confident that, by supporting their efforts, we will contribute in helping Qatar develop into a hub of research excellence and ensure Qatar's competitiveness in the global economy."
Elaborating further on the benefits of this year's awarded PDRA proposals, Dr Abdulnasser Al-Ansari, Deputy Executive Director at QNRF, added: "I am impressed with the high quality of the research proposals submitted. The proposals look into finding solutions for pressing environmental issues in Qatar as well as creating innovative technology that will raise Qatar's profile in the global research arena. Through this programme we are not only creating research opportunities but also highlighting the significant potential of early-career investigators."
For more information about QNRF's Postdoctoral Research Award and QNRF's other funding programmes, visit: www.qnrf.org
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About Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D)
Leading Qatar's vision to become an international centre for research and development excellence and innovation, QF R&D is home to Qatar Science & Technology Park, a world-class hub for technology innovation and commercialization, as well as the Qatar National Research Fund, a globally renowned scientific research funding organization and prominent research institutes operating at the frontiers of science, including Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Computing Research Institute and Qatar Energy and Environment Research Institute.
About Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF)
Driven by the aim of fostering a culture of research in Qatar, Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) was established in 2006 to advance knowledge and education by acting as a support system for researchers. It is a centre within the Research & Development establishment at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
QNRF administers funding for original, competitively selected research and furthers collaborations within academia, the public, private, governmental and non-governmental sectors through effective, mutually beneficial partnerships. While QNRF actively seeks internationally recognised researchers, it is dedicated to funding research that meets the needs of Qatar. For more information, visit: www.qnrf.org
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© Press Release 2014
