The Emirate of Sharjah has announced the opening of nominations for the "Fayya for Research" grant, a pioneering scientific initiative aimed at enhancing global knowledge about human history and environmental changes across different eras. This is achieved by supporting specialized scientific research at the "Fayya" archaeological site, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a site of exceptional universal value. The announcement by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the Fayya World Heritage Site, about the grant marks a historic moment, crowning decades of archaeological excavations and international scientific studies that contributed to advancing knowledge about early human settlement in the Arabian Peninsula. The Sharjah Authority for Antiquities administers the "Fayya for Research" grant, totaling two million dirhams, in coordination with the Fayya World Heritage Site Scientific Committee. The grant, spanning the years 2026 to 2028, aims to support independent and impactful research that will strengthen the scientific foundations of the Fayya site's exceptional universal value and consolidate Sharjah and the UAE's position as a global center for heritage and scientific research in prehistoric eras and knowledge production. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi stated that the inscription of Fayya on the UNESCO World Heritage List represents a great responsibility and a starting point for further global achievements. She noted that the "Fayya for Research" grant is an investment by Sharjah in the essence of inquiry and scientific research, in international cooperation, and in the next generation of researchers. She highlighted that the Fayya site contributes to expanding knowledge about early human migration out of Africa and their capacity for adaptation and innovation. She added that the grant will ensure the Fayya site's sustained contribution to enhancing global knowledge. Issa Yousef, Director General of the Sharjah Authority for Antiquities, stated that launching the grant represents a clear operational framework to drive the wheel of archaeological scientific research at the site in the coming years. He pointed out that the grant provides financial, logistical, and institutional support, offering the necessary tools for fieldwork, study, analysis, and the production of accurate scientific results. It also allows research activities to align with the site's long-term management and scientific priorities, ensuring the acquisition of new knowledge and the continuation of serving the international scientific community while building Emirati capabilities. The "Fayya for Research" grant comprises three integrated funding tracks to support sustainable scientific research and specialized research interventions. The first track is a long-term research grant for three years, to be implemented as a comprehensive research project aiming to reconstruct ancient environments and understand prehistoric human settlement at Fayya. The second track consists of six short-term research grants, two per year, in the form of short-term field projects or research on archaeological or environmental topics such as digital heritage modeling or cultural heritage preservation. The third track is embodied in a mentorship fellowship for UAE youth in collaboration with the "University of Tübingen." It targets the development of national capabilities in archaeology through hands-on training, field experience, and international cooperation. In addition to financial funding, the Sharjah Authority for Antiquities provides logistical services to researchers, enabling them to direct resources towards scientific analysis, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and the creation of high-quality datasets. It is required that all funded projects be fully independent and directly contribute to the development of scientific knowledge about the prehistoric cultural landscape of Fayya. The grant is open to researchers of all nationalities, provided they meet academic criteria, which include holding a doctoral degree with a strong record of publications and internationally peer-reviewed research papers, as well as experience in prehistoric archaeology or ancient environments, and skills in working independently and in multidisciplinary teams. Criteria also include experience in organizing and leading field projects, managing research databases, co-authoring, and developing research publications. The mentorship fellowship is exclusively available to UAE nationals—undergraduate students, postgraduate students, or recent graduates in archaeology, history, anthropology, or natural sciences—provided they meet the nomination criteria.
