Open Call for Preserving Qatar’s Heritage Program

Deadline: 18-Feb-2026

The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI-C), in partnership with Qatar National Library (QNL), invites applications for the Preserving Qatar’s Heritage Call (PQHC-2). The initiative provides up to QAR 300,000 for 12 months to support projects deploying AI tools to enhance accessibility and research of Qatar’s Islamic manuscripts, with all work and budget conducted inside Qatar.

Overview

The PQHC-2 call supports projects that improve access to and research on Qatar’s Islamic manuscripts through the deployment of advanced AI tools. The programme aims to address challenges in manuscript digitization, preservation, and accessibility, generating practical and impactful outcomes within a defined timeframe.

Funding Details

Grant Amount

• Maximum funding per project: QAR 300,000

• Project duration: up to 12 months

• Full project effort and budget must be expended inside Qatar

Eligible Costs

• Development and deployment of AI tools for manuscript preservation and accessibility

• Research, analysis, and data management related to Islamic manuscripts

• Co-funding and cost-sharing contributions are encouraged to enhance project impact

Ineligible Costs

• Activities or expenditures outside Qatar

• Staff salaries for QNL employees in any project role

Who Is Eligible?

Lead Principal Investigator (LPI)

• Must be affiliated with a QRDI-approved submitting institution in Qatar

• Must hold an approved terminal degree

• Can submit only one application per cycle

• QNL staff are not eligible as LPIs, PIs, or team members

• Participation limits apply for LPIs involved in Modernizing Charitable Sector calls in previous or current cycles

Submitting Institutions

• Academic, public, private, non-profit, and NGO entities based in Qatar

• Must have QRDI-approved Research Offices

• Collaborative institutions are allowed but must include at least one affiliated Principal Investigator

Proposal Vetting

All proposals must be vetted by the Research Office of the submitting institution to ensure compliance with institutional and QRDI policies before submission through the online system using the official research plan template.

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility of the LPI and submitting institution

2. Prepare the research proposal using the QRDI research plan template

3. Obtain vetting approval from the submitting institution’s Research Office

4. Submit the proposal via the QRDI online system

5. Clearly define research objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and AI applications

Evaluation Process

• Proposals passing screening undergo a one-step review by a panel of experts

• Evaluation criteria include:

  • Scientific excellence: originality, innovation, and rigor

  • Implementation: methodology, feasibility, and timeline

  • Resources: personnel, infrastructure, and budget adequacy

  • Valorisation: societal or practical impact and applicability

• Comments on research compliance are provided to ensure ethical and regulatory standards

Award Management

• The submitting institution’s Research Office is responsible for signing the grant agreement and overseeing project management

• Funding is disbursed in two instalments:

  • Initial advance upon signing the grant agreement

  • Remaining funds reimbursed after acceptance of final technical and financial reports

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting multiple applications as LPI

• Including QNL staff in any project role

• Failing to complete institutional vetting

• Budgeting for activities outside Qatar

• Weak focus on AI tools or practical outcomes for manuscript accessibility

Why This Grant Matters

PQHC-2 strengthens the preservation, accessibility, and research of Qatar’s Islamic manuscripts using cutting-edge AI technologies. It enables institutions to digitize, analyze, and make manuscripts more accessible, supporting Qatar’s cultural heritage and scholarly research ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can be the Lead Principal Investigator? Must be affiliated with a QRDI-approved institution in Qatar and hold an approved terminal degree.
Can QNL staff participate? No, they are ineligible in any project role.
Are international collaborations allowed? Collaborative institutions are permitted but must include at least one Qatar-affiliated PI.
Can project activities be conducted outside Qatar? No, all effort and budget must be executed inside Qatar.
How is funding disbursed? In two instalments: an advance upon signing and reimbursement after final report acceptance.
Can one LPI submit multiple applications? No, only one application per LPI per cycle.
What is the focus of this call? Deploying AI tools to improve accessibility, preservation, and research of Islamic manuscripts in Qatar.

Conclusion

The Preserving Qatar’s Heritage Call (PQHC-2) empowers researchers to apply AI solutions to preserve and enhance access to Qatar’s Islamic manuscripts. By combining technological innovation with cultural preservation, the programme supports scholarly research, public access, and heritage conservation within Qatar.

For more information, visit QRDI-C.