Program Overview and Objectives

The HBKU-QU Institutional Collaboration Grants Program aims to strengthen strategic research partnerships between the two institutions. The program serves as a key mechanism for expanding local academic collaboration, facilitating the exchange of expertise and developing research projects of mutual interest. Through joint funding, this program enables sustainable collaboration between the two leading national research institutions in Qatar, which will strengthen Qatar’s national research ecosystem.

Research Priority - AI for Energy

The first cycle of the HBKU-QU Institutional Collaboration Grants Program is dedicated to AI for Energy, reflecting the strategic importance of AI-enabled solutions for advancing energy sustainability and innovation. The research focus areas below define priority domains for collaborative research with tangible impact.

Supply chain optimization and risk analytics

  • Use AI to optimize fleet scheduling, cargo distribution, and demurrage costs.
  • Deploy real-time pricing engines and disruption-response simulators.
  • Build internal analytics tools to reduce reliance on external forecasting.

Smart manufacturing for energy, oil, and gas

  • Integrate AI, automation, and digital systems into energy operations.
  • Optimize production efficiency, safety, and equipment reliability.
  • Deliver sustainable solutions to lower environmental impact and boost competitiveness.

Research Team Structure

  • Lead Principal Investigator (LPI) at each institution

    • One full-time faculty/scientist from Qatar University and one from Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
    • Responsible for all technical, financial, and administrative project management.

  • Principal Investigators (PIs)

    • Optional additional experts from either institution.
    • Provide specialized support for project implementation.

  • Student Participation

    • Required to have a minimum of one student from each institution.
    • Open to graduate and undergraduate levels.

Submission Process

Proposal submissions will be managed by QU, while review outcomes and final funding decisions will be jointly determined by Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Qatar University.

1 Letter of Intent (LOI) submission

Applicants submit a brief LOI within two weeks of the call announcement. Submissions will be managed by Qatar University (QU).

2 LOI review and shortlisting

LOIs are reviewed and shortlisted by a joint HBKU-QU committee.

3 Full proposal submission

Shortlisted teams are invited to submit a full proposal within six (6) weeks via QU iGrants.

4 Peer review

Full proposals undergo peer review coordinated by QU.

5 Joint committee assessment

The HBKU-QU joint committee reviews peer-review outcomes and formulates joint recommendations.

6 Final decision

Final funding decisions are jointly decided by HBKU-QU leadership, based on the joint committee’s recommendations.

Timeline

Letter of Intent and CVsSubmission Opens20 Apr 2026 (12:00 pm)
Submission Closes07 May 2026 (12:00 pm)
Full Proposal for shortlistedSubmission Opens17 May 2026 (12:00 pm)
Submission Closes28 Jun 2026 (12:00 pm)

Contact Information

Qatar University

Hamad Bin Khalifa University

 

Important Documents

ICG Detailed Document
Letter of Intent