Al Jalila Foundation recently awarded AED2.5 million in seed grants to five UAE-based medical researchers to carry out research in the UAE in various fields related to COVID-19. The research grants were presented by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, during a ceremony at the Al Jalila Foundation.

As per a WAM report, the COVID-19 research grants are first-of-its-kind awards presented by the Al Jalila Foundation with the support of recently-inaugurated Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute. These grants focus on areas of genetics, therapies and diagnosis related to COVID-19 aimed at enhancing the UAE’s capacity to tackle the pandemic and other viral diseases in the future. Some of the highly-talented scientists and researchers from leading medical institutions in the country including United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain University, University of Sharjah, and Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital are among the recipients of the award.

During the ceremony, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's name was engraved by the Al Jalila Foundation on the first-of-its-kind donor recognition wall named the "Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed". The wall has been established to pay tribute to the philanthropic legacy of late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum as well as honour those generous donors who invest in medical research.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, asserted that the foundation has been making efforts to diversify medical research in line with the vision of the UAE leadership for the future of healthcare sector in the country and high priority they give to developing scientific and medical fields.

He added that Al Jalila Foundation is eager to work with medical institutions in a bid to boost the UAE's preparedness to address health challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis.

"At a time when the world is racing against time to find solutions for eradicating the virus, well-funded research efforts are critical to mitigate current and future health and economic challenges," he said.

Sheikh Ahmed also noted that the various initiatives launched by the Foundation reflect its utmost dedication and commitment towards strengthening the capabilities of the healthcare sector in the country through its support to research organisations and talented scientists. At the same time, the Foundations has also taken steps to cooperate with international research entities and public and private sector institutions in the UAE to develop the field of medical scientific research.

Hailing the efforts of Al Jalila Foundation and researchers who received the grants, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed noted that Dubai is committed to supporting research in healthcare and medical sectors in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform growth and development of the UAE through innovation and expertise. The grants have been presented to the recipients for their commitment to advancing research to combat COVID-19 in the country.

"Exploring new possibilities and breakthrough discoveries in healthcare and medical sectors is key to the UAE’s and Dubai’s efforts to create future-ready economic and social systems that are geared to meet the evolving needs of a post-COVID world. Al Jalila Foundation’s efforts to promote COVID-19 research is consistent with Dubai’s strong strategic focus on these sectors and its commitment to creating long term value by advancing the frontiers of learning and science," he added.

In addition, Dr. Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, expressed pride towards its support to the efforts of the UAE leadership in tackling the COVID-19 crisis. He stated that these research awards are testimony of the organisation to its commitment to alter according to the changing environment and needs of the medical landscape in order to protect the health and safety of the people in the UAE. Dr Raja said that the Foundation is supporting talented scientists and investing in research in a bid to develop the next generation of innovators in health sciences and leading the way for medical breakthroughs for the protection of the community members.

"Our investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to embed research and innovation in the fabric of the nation’s long-term healthcare strategy," he added.

The Foundation assessed the applications through a competitive two-stage review process. These applications were reviewed by international experts from the world's leading medical institutions including the USA, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Belgium, Japan, Norway, Brazil, Italy, and India. The Al Jalila Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee supervised the application process under the guidance of some of the most brilliant minds in the region, who worked in cooperation with an international peer review panel to award the research grants to the most exemplary scientists. The reviewers were carefully selected by the Al Jalila Foundation after considering their expertise in their specific field of research. The selection process was undertaken in line with the Al Jalila Foundation's commitment towards developing a biomedical research ecosystem in Dubai in accordance with the international best practice.

Five most-deserving applications were selected out the total 91 applications, who received the grants of up to AED500,000 each to carry out their medical research.

Al Jalila Foundation CEO Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need for investing in pioneering medical research, adding that we are dependent on scientists and doctors now more than ever for developing skilled diagnostic testing and treatments. It will also help in gaining a better understanding of the Coronavirus pandemic and other viral diseases.

"We are delighted with the incredible response we have received from the scientific community and confident about the contributions this round of research grants can make to support the fight to combat COVID-19," Dr Abdulkareem stated.

Every research project is being carried out with the cooperation between scientists and researchers in the UAE and abroad. More than 40 co-investigators from renowned research institutions across the globe are working jointly to boost the area of medical research. More than 300 peer-reviewed publications have been co-authored by principal investigators in prestigious international journals.

Multidisciplinary teams of scientists, clinicians, and medical students, including epidemiologists, geneticists, paediatricians, microbiologists, pulmonologists, infectious disease specialists, from leading academic and health institutions in the UAE and abroad are part of the research projects. These team members hold exceptional expertise and resources to contribute to the mission of the Al Jalila Foundation to assist the UAE Government in its efforts to combat the pandemic crisis.

A part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives, Al Jalila Foundation was established in 2013. It aims to provide opportunities to enhance innovative and effective medical research with the investment of AED28 million awarded to 101 UAE-based research grants and eight international research fellowships to some of the best global institutions in the US, the UK and Japan aimed at discovering the best possible solutions to address health challenges in the region.

WAM