Deadline: 21-Nov-2025
The British Embassy in Doha has launched a major 2025–2026 funding call under the Gulf Strategy Fund to support AI-driven healthcare innovation between the UK and Qatar. Organisations can apply for £50,000–£80,000 to deliver pilot-ready, high-impact projects by June 2026. The call marks Phase II of the UK-Qatar AI partnership, shifting from research groundwork to real-world implementation in healthcare, data governance, safety, and advanced technologies.
UK–Qatar AI Healthcare Innovation Call (2025–2026)
Overview
The British Embassy in Doha is inviting proposals for Phase II of the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF), targeting AI solutions in healthcare. This call aims to strengthen UK-Qatar collaboration while advancing safe, ethical and high-impact AI innovations delivered by June 2026.
What This Funding Call Focuses On
Phase II builds on Phase I assessments that defined priority themes such as AI for good, governance, trust, and cross-cutting enablers. The new phase moves from strategy to practical implementation, focusing on pilot projects capable of producing measurable results.
Key project themes include:
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AI regulation, ethics, and safety in healthcare
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Patient impact–driven pilot projects
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Data governance, interoperability, and advanced analytics
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Emerging AI domains: large language models (LLMs), genomics, and precision medicine
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Scalable digital health solutions leveraging UK–Qatar institutional partnerships
Why This Call Matters
This initiative strengthens long-term bilateral collaboration between two major AI research ecosystems. By funding real-world pilots, it aims to:
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Accelerate AI adoption in healthcare systems
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Build shared innovation capacity in high-impact medical technologies
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Improve patient outcomes through data-driven solutions
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Support ethical, transparent, and safe AI deployment
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Lay the foundation for multi-year collaborations beyond 2026
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible lead applicants include:
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Non-profit organisations
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NGOs
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Government bodies
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UK- or Qatar-based institutions
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Entities with strong track records in AI, healthcare science, or bilateral cooperation
Applicants must demonstrate:
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Proven UK–Qatar institutional partnerships
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Capability to manage budgets, data governance, and ethical frameworks
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Experience in delivering applied research or healthcare innovation
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Clear monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) structures
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A realistic plan for achieving results by June 2026
Funding Details
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Grant size: £50,000–£80,000
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Delivery deadline: June 2026
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Programme: Gulf Strategy Fund (Phase II)
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Focus: Applied AI in healthcare and cross-sector collaboration
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
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Identify a UK–Qatar partnership
Secure a committed partner institution that aligns with research, innovation, or policy priorities. -
Develop a healthcare-focused AI pilot
Ensure your project is realistic, measurable, and capable of producing tangible outcomes. -
Demonstrate ethical and data governance readiness
Address safety, risk, and responsible AI principles in your proposal. -
Prepare a comprehensive MEL plan
Show how you will monitor progress, evaluate results, and adjust implementation. -
Submit a value-for-money proposal
Clearly justify the budget, scalability potential, and long-term impact. -
Ensure June 2026 delivery
Define milestones and timelines that guarantee completion within the funding period.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Vague or conceptual proposals with no real implementation plan
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Weak UK–Qatar partnerships lacking institutional commitment
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Insufficient focus on ethics and data governance
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Unrealistic timelines that cannot meet the June 2026 deadline
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No clear metrics or outcome indicators
FAQs
1. What is the main objective of Phase II?
To support real-world AI healthcare pilots that demonstrate measurable impact and deepen UK–Qatar collaboration.
2. Can private companies apply?
Private companies may participate as partners, but the lead applicant must be a non-profit, NGO, or government entity.
3. Are multi-year projects allowed?
Projects must deliver results by June 2026, but strong pilots may lead to multi-year extensions under future GSF rounds.
4. What types of healthcare AI projects are prioritized?
Projects addressing regulation, safety, LLMs, genomics, precision medicine, data governance, and measurable patient benefit.
5. Do applicants need prior UK–Qatar collaboration experience?
Not required, but strongly preferred and weighted in evaluation.
6. Are monitoring and evaluation plans mandatory?
Yes, strong MEL frameworks are essential for selection.
7. Can proposals exceed £80,000?
No, proposals must stay within the £50,000–£80,000 funding limits.
Conclusion
The Gulf Strategy Fund (2025–2026) offers a strategic opportunity for organisations to deliver transformative AI healthcare projects across the UK–Qatar innovation corridor. By prioritizing ethical AI, strong partnerships, and measurable outcomes, this call aims to build a resilient foundation for future healthcare technologies and deepen bilateral cooperation for years to come.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.