The Horizon Hub Workshop Series (HHWS), launched by the Office of the Vice President for Research, provides a collaborative platform for researchers, academics, and thought leaders to come together and engage in collaborative dialogue around critical research topics shaping the future. This initiative goes beyond discussion, aiming to generate tangible outcomes and research agendas that contribute to advancing knowledge and societal impact.

The workshop topics must be strategically aligned with Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s research priorities, with a particular emphasis on considering both local and global contexts. Topics/events that involve strong interdisciplinary engagement and collaboration by a minimum of two HBKU entities. This program aims to foster connections between researchers in Qatar and their regional and international peers, offering exposure to new research directions, methodologies, and discoveries. The events must be held within Qatar.

A key objective of the series is the engagement with Qatar’s governmental entities and national enterprises to identify new R&D initiatives, support knowledge transfer, policy development and to strengthen national research capacity.

Program Objectives

Foster strategic research connections between HBKU researchers, international experts, and research institutions in Qatar and beyond, to promote meaningful collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Expose HBKU researchers to emerging research topics, and cutting-edge research ideas, findings and techniques, best practices, enabling the development of tangible and concrete agendas that contribute to advancing the field of research.

Sponsor research and innovation-driven events that address national priorities, foster engagement with governmental entities and national enterprises, and support HBKU’s and QF’s strategic research goals.

Priority Focus Areas

Priority will be given to events that directly engage with HBKU’s five flagship research areas, which reflect emerging national and global priorities:

  • AI and Applications
  • Sustainable and Resilient Arid Cities
  • Autism: Causes, Diagnosis, and Intervention
  • Islamic Ethics: From Social Cohesion to Global Challenges
  • Global Transformation: Future of Governance

Program Cycles

1st Cycle - 2025 (Applications Closed)

  • Event Formats: Workshops, Conferences
  • Budget: Up to QAR 200,000
  • Application Submission Deadline: 15 Aug 2025

  • Event Dates: Within 6 months of funding

     

Important Documents:

 

2nd Cycle - 2026 (Call for Applications)

  • Formats: Workshops, Symposia
  • Budget: Up to QAR 150,000
  • Application Submission Deadline: 1 Sep 2026

  • Event Dates: between Sep 2026 and Mar 2027

     

Important Documents: