Global research institutions compete for Faya grants

Leading universities and research institutions from across the world have entered the scientific review phase for the Faya Research Grant Programme, marking a key milestone in advancing research at the Faya Palaeolandscape World Heritage Property.

The programme is structured across two core tracks: long-term research grants, which support multi-year scientific projects focused on in-depth fieldwork, analysis, and data generation; and short-term research grants, which fund one-year studies designed to address targeted research questions, test innovative methodologies, and contribute specialised insights to the site’s broader scientific framework.

The evaluation process is led by the Faya World Heritage Scientific Committee, which is currently assessing proposals submitted under both tracks by globally recognised academic and research institutions.

Administered by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), the Dhs2 million Faya Research Grant Programme (2026–2028) is designed to advance scientific research and reinforce Faya’s position as a global reference point for the study of early human history and environmental change, following its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025.

Proposals submitted under the long-term grant track feature participation from leading universities including the University of Oxford, University of Leeds, University of Sharjah, Zayed University, Canadian University of Dubai, University of Jordan, and the German University of Technology in Oman.

These submissions focus on in-depth, multi-year research areas such as palaeolandscape analysis, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, palaeohydrology, climate monitoring, and heritage conservation and management. Several proposals also explore advanced applications in computer modelling, artificial intelligence, and digital documentation, including high-resolution 3D modelling and virtual reality.

The short-term grant track has attracted a wide range of international institutions, including the American University of Sharjah, University of Sharjah, University of Montreal, University of Jena, Istanbul Technical University, Ain Shams University, University of South Alabama, Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence in Cyprus, Al Farabi Kazakh National University, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) in Spain, and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine.

Research proposals under this track demonstrate strong interdisciplinary scope, covering areas such as palaeoecology, geological frameworks, human evolution and mobility, palaeogenomics, and human–landscape interaction. Additional areas of focus include heritage conservation and management, alongside advanced digital applications such as remote sensing, satellite imagery, GIS-based reconstruction, 3D scanning, and virtual reality.

Furthermore, this cycle also included proposed use of methods of archaeoacoustics to complement the documentation of the prehistoric sites at Faya conducted by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority over the past 30 years, in collaboration with several interdisciplinary international teams.

The geographic and institutional diversity of submissions highlights Faya’s growing international relevance as a research hub. Participating researchers and institutions span multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East, North America, Africa, and Central Asia, reflecting a broad spectrum of academic traditions and scientific approaches.

This diversity underscores increasing global recognition of Faya’s significance in shaping new understandings of human evolution, migration, and adaptation in arid environments.

Eisa Yousif, Director General of SAA, said: “The scale and quality of submissions reflect Faya’s growing positioning as a priority site for advanced archaeological research following its World Heritage inscription. The programme has been structured to attract targeted, high-impact studies that contribute to a more integrated understanding of the site within global human history.”

He added: “This direction reflects the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the Faya World Heritage Property to establish Faya as a long-term research platform aligned with international standards of heritage management.”