The University of Sharjah is accepting proposals for the QUWA research grants of its Women in Research Forum 2027 (WiRF 2027), with a submission deadline of 15 October 2026. Winning projects receive 10,000 to 25,000 AED each. The principal investigator must be a woman affiliated with a university, so the call is open to women-led research only.
At a glance
| Deadline | 15 October 2026 |
| Who can apply | Female researchers at a university: faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and MSc or PhD students. Male collaborators can join the team, but the principal investigator must be female |
| Grant size | 10,000 to 25,000 AED per project |
| Forum dates | 31 March to 1 April 2027, hosted by the University of Sharjah |
| Notification | 15 January 2027 |
| Cost to apply | No application fee mentioned on the official pages |
| Official page | WiRF 2027 submission page |
Who can apply
The call page states that the principal investigator (PI) must be a female researcher at a university. That includes faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students at MSc or PhD level. Male collaborators may be on the research team. Each applicant may submit only one study as PI.
The research must stay unpublished until the forum. Previously published work is not eligible.
What you get
Successful proposals receive research grants of 10,000 to 25,000 AED per project. The prize must be spent on the research itself, for example conference costs, publication fees, equipment or software. Winners must acknowledge the QUWA sponsor in their publications.
The call lists primary research tracks such as bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, cybersecurity, computing and informatics, and engineering. It also lists a special category from the Shaikha H.H. Jawaher Center for Palestinian Studies with a women’s studies focus. Projects are judged on scientific rigor, community impact, novelty and industry partnership.
How to apply
- Open the WiRF 2027 submission page. It says applications open on 1 October 2026.
- Download the submission template and state your research phase: a proposal with expected results, or ongoing work with preliminary results that is still unpublished.
- Upload the completed form through EasyChair, the platform named on the page.
- Submit by 15 October 2026. Authors are notified on 15 January 2027.
Advice from the Bahiyat team
- Settle early who will be the principal investigator. The call requires a female PI, and mixed teams are allowed.
- Choose your research phase honestly. The template asks you to declare whether you are submitting a proposal or work in progress.
- Write for the four judging criteria. Explain community impact and any industry partner in plain terms alongside the science.
- Check your publication plans. Anything already published, or published before the forum, is out.
- If the EasyChair link is not visible when you open the page, return to it soon. The page ties the link to the 1 October 2026 opening.
FAQ
Can a master’s or PhD student apply?
Yes. The call lists graduate students at MSc or PhD level among eligible principal investigators.
Can men be on the team?
Male collaborators can take part, but the principal investigator must be a woman.
Is there a fee?
The official pages mention none.
Can I submit more than one study?
Not as principal investigator. Each applicant may submit one study only.
