Key Takeaways
- The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has announced three awardees under its Sixth Cycle research grants.
- Each project may receive up to US$1.5 million over three years.
- Research focuses on AI, cloud seeding materials, radar science, and land-based rainfall enhancement.
- The program is managed by the UAE National Center of Meteorology.
- Projects are designed to support water security and climate resilience.
UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science Announces Sixth Cycle Awardees
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), managed by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), has announced the recipients of its Sixth Cycle research grants. Under the program, each selected project is eligible to receive up to US$1.5 million over a three-year period, with a maximum annual allocation of US$550,000.
The Sixth Cycle awardees represent research institutions across the United States, Australia, and Germany, reflecting UAEREP’s emphasis on international scientific collaboration and applied innovation in weather modification and water security.
Sixth Cycle Research Projects and Awardees
AI, Radar Science, and Cloud Seeding Materials
The awarded projects include:
- Dr. Dixon Michael, Principal Radar Meteorologist and Software Engineer at Echo Science Works, USA, for “Advancing Cloud Seeding Science with Dual-Polarization Radar Signatures and AI.” His research will enhance cloud seeding evaluation by integrating dual-polarization radar data and artificial intelligence to better capture microphysical storm processes and quantify impacts with transparent, uncertainty-aware methods.
- Prof. Linda Zou, Adjunct Professor at Victoria University, Australia, for “AI-assisted Development and Optimization of Glaciogenic Cloud Seeding Materials.” Her project will focus on developing advanced nanocomposite ice-nucleating materials and optimizing their performance through AI-driven analytics, supported by data generated from a Portable Ice Nucleation Experiment (PINE) cloud chamber to be deployed at NCM.
- Dr. Oliver Branch, Senior Scientist at the University of Hohenheim, Germany, for “Rainfall Enhancement through Modification of Land Cover and Land Form (RAINLAND).” This research will examine how changes in land cover and topography can trigger moist convection, with the goal of identifying land-form designs and locations that could enhance rainfall in the UAE.
Leadership Perspectives on UAEREP’s Global Role
His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization and Director General of NCM, highlighted the strategic importance of the program.
“Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAEREP continues to strengthen its position as a global platform for scientific collaboration and applied innovation,” he said. “NCM plays a central role in enabling this work through advanced infrastructure and operational expertise that translate research into real-world impact.”
Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP and Director of the Research and Weather Enhancement Department at NCM, emphasized the applied nature of the selected projects.
“The awardees’ proposals demonstrate high standards of scientific innovation and practical application,” she said. “These projects will deliver science-based solutions that contribute to water security and climate resilience.”
Advancing Water Security Through Applied Research
UAEREP stated that the Sixth Cycle projects are designed to bridge scientific research and operational deployment, strengthening the UAE’s capacity to address water scarcity challenges. By combining advanced radar systems, artificial intelligence, novel cloud seeding materials, and land-based rainfall enhancement strategies, the program aims to generate actionable insights that support long-term water security and climate adaptation efforts.
