The Foundation welcomes applications for its various Research Grants, Teacher Professional Development Awards, and Internship Experiences. Please refer to the relevant section below for answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about the Foundation's opportunities.
(FAQ) Doctoral Research Grants
Below are answers to questions frequently asked by applicants interested in the Foundation's Doctoral Research Grants:
What types of research does the Foundation fund through its Doctoral Research Grants?
The Foundation’s mission is to support the social and economic development of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The Doctoral Research Grants are designed to align with this mission and provide funding for applicants seeking to research education, public policy, or closely related social science issues or questions.
- Dependent on research question, disciplines the Grants may fund include: education, urban planning/development, public health, economic development, food access, and energy or environmental policy.
- Disciplines the Grants WILL NOT fund include: business or marketing, agronomy, engineering, IT or computer science, laboratory-based or scientific studies, and medical degrees.
In addition, proposed research must focus on the United Arab Emirates, and specifically, the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. If the research proposal includes other locations, Ras Al Khaimah must be a primary site for data gathering and analysis. Samples of past Grant recipient research topics are available as working papers through Foundation Publications.
Applicants who have questions on whether their proposed research topic adequately aligns with the Grant criteria may contact the Foundation.
What is the duration of Doctoral Research Grants, and what expenses do they cover?
Doctoral Research Grants provide up to one year of funding for expenses related to a recipient’s field research while in Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates. This includes the recipient’s return airfares, accommodation, living stipend, research support, and office space. The Grant does not cover a recipient’s university tuition or fees.
Is there extra funding to cover the needs of families who accompany Grant recipients to Ras Al Khaimah?
No, the Foundation does not provide the above benefits to family members who wish to accompany the Grant recipient to Ras Al Khaimah.
What are the Foundation’s expectations of Grant recipients?
Applicants who submit successful proposals and receive Doctoral Research Grants are expected to produce one to two working papers and make at least one presentation to members of the local research community. They may also be asked to provide occasional interviews to local media channels regarding their research topic and findings as part of the Foundation’s broader engagement and communication efforts.
Will the Foundation fund research that will be conducted outside of Ras Al Khaimah?
The purpose of the Doctoral Research Grants is to encourage students to research an aspect of policy or education within Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates. As a result, the Foundation does not generally fund research that will be conducted outside of Ras Al Khaimah. Occasionally, proposed research may take a comparative approach that requires additional locations. In such instances, Ras Al Khaimah must be a significant focus for data gathering and analysis in order for the proposal to be considered eligible for funding.
Do Doctoral Research Grants allow students who are already attending a university in Ras Al Khaimah or the United Arab Emirates to travel abroad for research?
No, the focus of the Doctoral Research Grants is on Ras Al Khaimah, and only applications for research studies to be conducted within the emirate will be considered.
Emirati students wishing to conduct research abroad should contact the Sheikh Saqr Program for Government Excellence as the organization may be an alternative source of funding should candidates meet their selection criteria.
Must applicants wait until they are in a PhD program to be eligible for a Doctoral Research Grant? What if they are currently enrolled in (or just completed) a Master’s program at an accredited university?
All applicants must be currently enrolled in a PhD program at an accredited university in order to be eligible for the Grants. Students enrolled in (or just completing) Master's programs do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
In addition to being a current PhD student, applicants must also be ready to begin the research stage of their program. This means all coursework must be complete and that an applicant’s research proposal should be approved (or in the process of being approved) by their faculty advisor and graduate program. Therefore, applicants should only apply for a Grant after officially gaining admission and enrolling in a PhD program.
Can applicants still apply for Doctoral Research Grants if they do not meet the minimum TOEFL score of 600 or IELTS score of 6.5?
Unfortunately, no. English is the Foundation’s primary language for conducting daily business and publishing its research studies. It is important for Grant recipients to have strong English language skills as they are expected to produce several scholarly papers and make formal presentations. Therefore, applicants will not be considered eligible for the Grants unless they meet the minimum scores.
Do applicants need to know Arabic in order to be eligible for Doctoral Research Grants?
Arabic language skills are an advantage but not required for eligibility purposes. Similarly, prior knowledge or experience in the United Arab Emirates or Arabian Gulf region is also an asset. As appropriate, applicants are encouraged to highlight such relevant language skills and experiences in their cover letters.
How long after submitting a Doctoral Research Grant application will results be announced?
Grant applications undergo a preliminary review upon submission to ensure they meet minimum eligibility criteria. Those that meet or exceed the criteria are compiled until the application deadline, at which point they are forwarded to the selection committee for a final, collective review. The formal review and selection process may take up to two months depending on the number of proposals. As a result, applicants should not expect news on funding decisions until 6-8 weeks after the submission deadline has passed. The deadline for the current application cycle is June 30, 2012.
What criteria does the selection committee use to determine which proposals to fund?
Doctoral Research Grants are awarded based on merit as measured by academic performance and relevance of the research proposal. The applicant’s intended field of study is also considered in the evaluation process, with preference given to those applicants pursuing degrees in education, public policy, or closely related fields. The Foundation Directors and Advisory Board serve as the evaluation and selection committee.
How many Doctoral Research Grants does the Foundation award each year?
The Grant review process is very competitive, and while the Foundation receives many excellent and high-quality proposals, only two Doctoral Research Grants are available each year. The proposals chosen for funding represent the innovative ideas that align best with the Foundation’s overall mission to aid in the social and economic development of the Ras Al Khaimah emirate.
For additional questions regarding Doctoral Research Grants not addressed above, please contact the Foundation at info@alqasimifoundation.rak.ae.
(FAQ) Teacher Scholarship Awards
Below are answers to questions frequently asked by applicants interested in the Foundation's Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants:
Who is eligible to apply for the Foundation’s Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants?
The Professional Development & Research Grants are open to teachers from all nationalities who are teaching in a Ras Al Khaimah government school. Applicants should have at least three years of teaching experience, however, before applying for a Grant.
What types of opportunities does the Foundation support through its Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants?
The Grants provide funding for master’s degrees, short-term courses (1-3 month duration), or in-school action research projects:
- Master’s Degrees & Short-Term Courses: Qualifications must be in education or closely related to education. The chosen degrees or short-term courses should improve applicants’ teaching abilities and effectiveness in the classroom. Qualifications that expand applicants’ knowledge of the subject areas they teach may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. For applicants interested in earning their master’s degree, the chosen qualification must be offered through an accredited university or institution.
Degrees and short-term courses ELIGIBLE for Grant funding include: Master in Education, English language courses, TOEFL preparation courses, ICDL courses.
Degrees and short-term courses NOT ELIGIBLE for Grant funding include: Master's in Business (EMBA or MBA), human resources, engineering, other degrees and courses unrelated to education.
- Action Research: Projects may be proposed and carried out by an individual or small group of teachers. Proposals should address an identified need related to improving teaching or enhancing student learning in applicants’ classrooms or schools.
What expenses do the Grants cover?
- Master’s Degrees & Short-Term Courses: The Grants cover up to 50% of the tuition costs associated with a master’s degree or short-term course. The Foundation does not provide full funding to cover all tuition costs as it is important for recipients to demonstrate their commitment to their professional development.
- Action Research: Grants provide up to Dhs 10,000 in funding based on the budget outlined in the research proposal.
What are the Foundation’s expectations of Grant recipients?
- Master’s Degrees & Short-Term Courses: All recipients are expected to conduct a workshop or presentation for other teachers to highlight what they learned in their short-term course or degree program. Workshop topics should focus on how the new information can be applied in the classroom or school to improve teaching effectiveness. Topic ideas include sharing activities to incorporate into lesson plans, highlighting relevant research findings, or demonstrating new uses of technology. Recipients pursuing a degree must also maintain a B-average throughout their studies in order to remain eligible for continued funding.
- Action Research: Recipients are expected to present their research findings to other teachers and to write a short report for the Foundation summarizing their findings. The working paper will be published on the RAK Teacher’s Network.
Can Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants be used to cover expenses associated with degree programs, courses, or research abroad?
- Action Research: No, the Grants can only be used to cover expenses for research in Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates. They will not cover expenses associated with research overseas.
Will Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants cover living expenses while recipients undertake their courses, degree programs, or research?
No, Grants only cover tuition fees or costs associated with conducting research. Grant recipients are expected to maintain their teaching commitments in their respective schools while pursuing their chosen qualification or conducting their research.
Recipients enrolled in short-term courses or degree programs are encouraged to consider professional development options that make use of school holidays, evenings/weekends, or are offered on-line or as hybrid courses. This will more easily allow recipients to continue working while undertaking their studies.
Will the Foundation help applicants gain admission to degree programs or short-term courses?
No, applicants are responsible for securing admission to their chosen qualifications at an accredited university or institution. The Foundation will require proof of enrollment before distributing any funds.
Will the Foundation help applicants develop their Action Research proposals?
Yes, the Foundation will support applicants seeking to translate their research ideas into formal research proposals. The first step is for applicants to participate in the Foundation's 21st Century Research Program (if they have not done so already). This program walks participants through the stages of developing research proposals and should answer many questions. If further assistance is needed, Foundation staff will work with applicants to refine their ideas so that they can be submitted for funding consideration.
How long after submitting a Teacher Professional Development & Research Grant application will results be announced?
Grant applications undergo a preliminary review upon submission to ensure they meet minimum eligibility criteria. Those that meet or exceed the criteria are compiled until the appropriate application deadlines, at which point they are forwarded to the selection committee for collective review.
- Master’s Degrees & Short-Term Courses: Based on the application form and supporting documents, the selection committee will recommend candidates for an interview. Accordingly, these individuals will be notified and invited for a formal interview. Final funding decisions will only be communicated to all applicants after the interview process is complete. As a result, applicants should not expect news on the success of their applications and whether they will receive funding until 4-6 weeks after the relevant application deadline has passed. Deadlines for the 2012 application cycles:
Master’s degree programs: June 30, 2012
Short-term courses: June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2012
- Action Research: The selection committee will review proposals and make recommendations accordingly. Should questions arise during the review, the committee may contact applicants for additional information or ask applicants to make revisions to their proposals. As a result, the formal review process may take several weeks. Applicants should not expect news on funding decisions until 4-6 weeks after the submission deadline has passed. There are two deadlines in the annual application cycle: May 31, 2012 and December 31, 2012.
What criteria does the selection committee use to determine Teacher Professional Development & Research Grant recipients?
Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants are awarded based on merit and applicants’ commitment to the teaching profession in Ras Al Khaimah. The Foundation Program Managers and Directors serve as the evaluation and selection committee.
- Master’s Degrees & Short-Term Courses: Personal statements outlining how applicants and schools will benefit from the chosen short-term courses or degree programs are seriously considered. In addition, previous academic performance will also be reviewed. Preference will be given to Emirati teachers.
- Action Research: Relevance of the proposed research question and quality of the overall proposal are key considerations for funding decisions. Knowledge of background research and the literature review is also important. Preference will be given to teachers who have completed the Foundation's 21st Century Research Program.
How many Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants does the Foundation provide each year?
The Grant review and selection process is competitive, as the Foundation often receives more applications than it can support. The number of Grants awarded each year varies depending on the costs associated with recipients’ chosen qualifications and proposed research. Generally, the Foundation seeks to award up to two Grants for teachers pursuing their master’s degrees and up to five Grants for teachers undertaking short-term courses. An additional two Grants are available to support teachers interested in conducting research.
For additional questions regarding Teacher Professional Development & Research Grants not addressed above, please contact the Foundation at info@alqasimifoundation.rak.ae.