The Research Office at MBZUAI is dedicated to advancing impactful, cutting-edge research by managing both internal and external funding, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring compliance with global best practices. Aligned with MBZUAI’s vision of leadership in AI research and the UAE's national strategy for innovation and sustainable development, we empower faculty, researchers, and students to address critical global challenges while driving the UAE's position as a global hub for AI excellence.
Mission To Serve
The Office of Sponsored Research provides end-to-end research administration services, encompassing all internal and external funding opportunities—from proposal development through award management—ensuring integrated processes, regulatory compliance, and alignment with institutional priorities.
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External Funding
At MBZUAI, external funding is a key enabler of transformative AI research.
By partnering with government agencies, industry and international sponsors, we support faculty in addressing global challenges and achieving impactful outcomes, ensuring seamless access to the resources required for discovery and innovation.
Explore our External Funding Opportunities...
Internal Funding
Our internal funding programs are designed to accelerate bold ideas, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and build foundational research capacity for our faculty. These internal streams provide flexible and responsive support so researchers can focus on driving excellence in AI, aligned with MBZUAI’s mission and the UAE’s strategic innovation agenda.
Internal Funding Opportunities will be announced shortly
Full Lifecycle Support
The Office of Sponsored Research spans both Pre-Award and Post-Award functions, ensuring coordinated, compliant, and strategically aligned support across the full research funding lifecycle.
Pre-Award
Post-Award
Provides a centralized service for identifying and disseminating external funding opportunities that align with MBZUAI’s strategic research priorities.
Delivers end-to-end service to faculty & researchers award management, including activation, account setup, and coordinated financial oversight with Finance and other business units.
Supports faculty throughout the pre-award phase by guiding proposal development, strengthening competitiveness, and ensuring alignment with sponsor expectations.
Ensures spending governance, timely reporting, and monitoring of financial deliverables across internal and external awards.
Develops and reviews budgets while securing all required institutional approvals in accordance with sponsor and University guidelines.
Supports faculty with budget approvals required for procurement actions, personnel hiring, etc. throughout the award lifecycle.
Oversees final proposal submission and compliance as MBZUAI’s authorized representative, coordinating with Research Ethics & Compliance and other units to ensure feasibility, accuracy, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Manages modifications, extensions, and closeout to ensure compliant, efficient, and result-oriented project completion.
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We're here to support your research journey at every stage.
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Visitor Program
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Partnerships and Engagements
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Research Projects
Home to ambitious projects shaping the future of AI
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