The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) today announced the targeted research areas of the program's fourth cycle, which will be open for proposal submissions in early 2021.

These areas were selected by a team of international atmospheric research experts based on the outputs of the nine research projects awarded between 2015-2017, the outcomes of the 4th International Rain Enhancement Forum and the recommendations from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert meeting held in Geneva and the 4th cycle program solicitation workshop.

Placing high priority on emerging technologies and innovations, and multi-institutional, multi-national collaborations to drive the development of rain enhancement science, the updated areas include advances in weather modeling and forecasting using artificial intelligence and ensemble modelling, evaluation of rain enhancement efficacy through the utilization of cloud chamber and statistical methods, innovations in rain enhancement systems through the integration of new measurement and numerical tools, and leveraging novel rain enhancement models, among others.

In parallel, the program will continue to support the previously targeted areas to help the awardees fulfill their project objectives. Information about the research areas of on-going projects can be found on www.uaerep.ae.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of NCM and President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of WMO, said: “The program’s updated research areas will push forward the rain enhancement research to the next level of impact and sophistication. We welcome new researchers, technologists and entrepreneurs to join the program to bring new perspectives to rain enhancement research and support the development of demand-driven solutions to address the evolving water-security challenges.”

For her part, Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, said: “The research areas identified by our international experts and scientists create unexplored avenues for generating new knowledge and innovation in rain enhancement science, while also building on the results and expertise gained over the program’s nine awarded projects. This will help us direct our future research efforts towards areas with broader implications for arid regions to address the most pressing water security challenges.”

Launched in 2015, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science supports innovative research and technology proposals that advance Rain Enhancement Science, particularly in arid regions.