Thumbay International Research Grant
Second Cycle

The Thumbay International Research Grant is established to:

Advance Knowledge: Support cutting-edge research in critical areas such as precision medicine, cancer immunology, healthy aging, regenerative medicine, and diabetes.

Promote Innovation: Encourage innovative approaches in AI, informatics, and digital transformation within healthcare management and health economics.

Enhance Education: Foster advancements in health professions education through research-driven initiatives.

Facilitate Collaboration: Build strong national and international partnerships, enabling researchers to collaborate with GMU’s faculty, students, and affiliated institutions.

To ensure the grant targets high-impact projects, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Applicant Criteria: Open to researchers, faculty members, and institutions with a proven track record in the specified research domains. Both national and international researchers are encouraged to apply.

Proposals must align with one or more of the following focus areas:

• Precision Oncology and Personalized Immunotherapy
• Liquid Biopsy and Tumor Circulating DNA
• Drug Discovery
• Al – Transforming Healthcare from Research to Clinic
• Veterinary Medicine
• Health Systems / Heathcare Management & Health Economics
• Public Health
• Innovation in Medical Education

Proposals must demonstrate potential for collaboration with GMU faculty or with GMU’s research institutes such as the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine (TRIPM) and All other Institutes in GMU. The letter of intent should be signed by both the applicant and the GMU collaborator.

1. Letter of Intent/Application Submission: Researchers are invited to submit their proposals online via the GMU website. The submission window is open till November 30, 2025.
2. Proposal Requirements: Applicants must provide a detailed research proposal, including objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and a collaboration plan.
3. Review Process: All submissions will be reviewed by the International Advisory Committee, comprising leading experts in the relevant fields.
4. Notification: Successful applicants will be notified following the committee’s evaluation.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Scientific Merit: The quality and originality of the proposed research, including the potential to advance knowledge in the focus areas.

Feasibility: The practicality of the research plan, including methodology, resource availability, and timeline.

Impact: The potential impact of the research on healthcare outcomes and its alignment with GMU’s mission.

Collaboration: The extent to which the proposal fosters meaningful collaboration with GMU or other relevant institutions.

Track Record: The qualifications and past achievements of the research team in the proposed field of study.

An International Advisory Committee, composed of eminent experts from GMU and other leading institutions, will review all applications.

Grant Financial Coverage Domains

The grant will cover the following expenses:

• Research-Related Costs:
  • Laboratory materials, supplies, kits, … etc
  • Equipment purchase is not included. Equipment essential to research should be outsourced if not available at the collaborators’ labs.
  • Data collection, analysis software or statistical support for analysis of data.
• Conference attendance:
  • Only applicable when a poster or a talk of the same project funded is presented.
  • Conference attendance (registration fees, travel, accommodation) for up to 15000 AED.
• Publication and Dissemination:
  • Publications Fees for peer-reviewed Scopus-indexed journals (only Q1 & Q2 quartiles) or conference proceedings.
  • Printing and distribution of research findings (including posters, flyers, or digital content).
• Miscellaneous Expenses:
  • To be approved on a case-by-case basis
  • Any additional expenses deemed essential to the successful completion of the project.
  • Software licenses, minor repairs, or calibration of research equipment.

Exclusions

• No coverage for overhead costs, institutional administrative expenses, or salaries
• Any unapproved alterations to budgeted expenses or misallocated funds.

Funding Limits

• Grants awarded will vary according to the focus area of the research.
• Lab-based research projects will be granted up to 150,000 AED/Year, while non-lab-based research projects will be granted up to 60,000 AED/Year.
• Requests beyond the cap must provide exceptional justification and undergo additional review.

Grant Period

• The grant will be awarded for a maximum period of 2 years.
• Extensions beyond the 2-year period may only be granted under exceptional circumstances, and a formal request must be submitted at least 3 months before the approved project end date, detailing reasons and providing updated timelines.
• Any unspent funds at the end of the grant period must be returned unless an extension has been approved.

Reporting and Accountability

• Regular Updates: The principal investigator must submit biannual progress reports detailing the use of the budget expenditure (with evidence validated by the finance/purchase department).
• Final Report: A comprehensive report with budget expenditure (with evidence validated by the finance/purchase department).
• Audits: The university reserves the right to audit financial expenditures at any time during and after the project lifecycle.

Ethical Considerations

• All funded projects must comply with ethical guidelines, including securing necessary IRB approvals for research involving human subjects.

Project Outcomes

• The project must result in a minimum of one research article published in Scopus-indexed journals in the Q1 or Q2 quartiles.
• The article(s) and any conference talk or poster must clearly acknowledge Gulf Medical University and the same must be submitted as evidence.
• Grantees are required to provide proof of manuscript submission within the grant period, and final publication details must be included in the project’s final report.
• In cases where publication is delayed, grantees must submit a progress report detailing the status of the manuscript and expected publication timeline.