Registration has opened for the third edition of the TRENDS Hub Award for Scientific Research, a programme positioned to widen participation across the region and steer scholarship towards policy-relevant outcomes, according to an announcement by TRENDS Research and Advisory.
The new cycle invites nominations from researchers and research teams working across priority fields that align with public policy, societal resilience, and future-oriented development. The organisers said the award is designed to recognise rigorous research that demonstrates measurable impact, methodological strength, and relevance to decision-making, while also supporting early- and mid-career scholars through structured evaluation and visibility.
Launched as part of the institution’s broader effort to strengthen research ecosystems in the Middle East and beyond, the TRENDS Hub Award has steadily broadened its scope since its inaugural edition. The third edition places added emphasis on interdisciplinary work and collaborative projects that bridge academia, government, and industry, reflecting a wider shift among research funders towards applied scholarship and cross-sector partnerships.
Officials involved with the programme indicated that eligibility criteria have been refined to encourage submissions from a wider geographic base, including researchers based in universities, independent research centres, and policy institutes. The award categories have also been calibrated to reflect emerging areas of inquiry such as strategic foresight, technology governance, sustainability transitions, and social cohesion, alongside established disciplines in political science, economics, and security studies.
Evaluation will be conducted through a multi-stage process that assesses originality, analytical depth, data integrity, and real-world applicability. Submissions will be reviewed by panels comprising senior academics and subject-matter specialists, with safeguards in place to ensure transparency and minimise conflicts of interest. Shortlisted candidates are expected to present their work during a dedicated research forum, offering an additional layer of scrutiny and engagement.
The award sits within a competitive global landscape where research recognition is increasingly tied to demonstrable impact rather than publication volume alone. Analysts note that programmes such as the TRENDS Hub Award reflect a broader recalibration in how research excellence is defined, particularly in regions seeking to convert academic output into policy insight and institutional capacity-building.
Previous editions of the award drew participation from researchers across the Gulf, wider Arab region, and parts of Asia and Europe, with winning studies addressing topics ranging from geopolitical risk and energy transitions to social policy and extremism prevention. Organisers say lessons from earlier cycles have informed adjustments to the current edition, including clearer submission guidelines and enhanced feedback mechanisms for participants.
The opening of registration comes at a time when research institutions are navigating tighter funding environments globally, prompting a stronger emphasis on targeted grants, awards, and partnerships. By offering recognition alongside institutional backing, the TRENDS Hub Award aims to provide both reputational and practical value to recipients, including opportunities for publication, policy engagement, and collaborative projects.
Beyond individual recognition, the programme is intended to reinforce networks among researchers working on regionally relevant challenges. Workshops and panel discussions linked to the award cycle are expected to facilitate dialogue between scholars and policymakers, helping translate academic findings into actionable recommendations.
The new cycle invites nominations from researchers and research teams working across priority fields that align with public policy, societal resilience, and future-oriented development. The organisers said the award is designed to recognise rigorous research that demonstrates measurable impact, methodological strength, and relevance to decision-making, while also supporting early- and mid-career scholars through structured evaluation and visibility.
Launched as part of the institution’s broader effort to strengthen research ecosystems in the Middle East and beyond, the TRENDS Hub Award has steadily broadened its scope since its inaugural edition. The third edition places added emphasis on interdisciplinary work and collaborative projects that bridge academia, government, and industry, reflecting a wider shift among research funders towards applied scholarship and cross-sector partnerships.
Officials involved with the programme indicated that eligibility criteria have been refined to encourage submissions from a wider geographic base, including researchers based in universities, independent research centres, and policy institutes. The award categories have also been calibrated to reflect emerging areas of inquiry such as strategic foresight, technology governance, sustainability transitions, and social cohesion, alongside established disciplines in political science, economics, and security studies.
Evaluation will be conducted through a multi-stage process that assesses originality, analytical depth, data integrity, and real-world applicability. Submissions will be reviewed by panels comprising senior academics and subject-matter specialists, with safeguards in place to ensure transparency and minimise conflicts of interest. Shortlisted candidates are expected to present their work during a dedicated research forum, offering an additional layer of scrutiny and engagement.
The award sits within a competitive global landscape where research recognition is increasingly tied to demonstrable impact rather than publication volume alone. Analysts note that programmes such as the TRENDS Hub Award reflect a broader recalibration in how research excellence is defined, particularly in regions seeking to convert academic output into policy insight and institutional capacity-building.
Previous editions of the award drew participation from researchers across the Gulf, wider Arab region, and parts of Asia and Europe, with winning studies addressing topics ranging from geopolitical risk and energy transitions to social policy and extremism prevention. Organisers say lessons from earlier cycles have informed adjustments to the current edition, including clearer submission guidelines and enhanced feedback mechanisms for participants.
The opening of registration comes at a time when research institutions are navigating tighter funding environments globally, prompting a stronger emphasis on targeted grants, awards, and partnerships. By offering recognition alongside institutional backing, the TRENDS Hub Award aims to provide both reputational and practical value to recipients, including opportunities for publication, policy engagement, and collaborative projects.
Beyond individual recognition, the programme is intended to reinforce networks among researchers working on regionally relevant challenges. Workshops and panel discussions linked to the award cycle are expected to facilitate dialogue between scholars and policymakers, helping translate academic findings into actionable recommendations.
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