Promote research on modern heritage in the UAE and its impact on the region, highlighting related initiatives from The National Policy for the Preservation of Modern Architectural Heritage of the United Arab Emirates.

The Modern Heritage Grant Program
About the program
Under The National Policy for the Preservation of Modern Architectural Heritage of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE Ministry of Culture (MoC) in collaboration with Zayed University (ZU), and Majra-National CSR Fund, aim to support and encourage research and in-depth study on the UAE built heritage between the 1960s to 1990s through the establishment of the Modern Heritage Grant Program.
The program, offering up to 20 grants, aims to support critical investigation on modern architectural heritage in the UAE and its connection to the wider GCC region encouraging research and raising awareness of this period, and contributing to filling a knowledge gap.
Objectives
Address research gaps on the modern built heritage in the UAE (1960-1990) and its connections to other historical periods.
Foster collaboration between academia and the public to create a strong knowledge network.
Support research with grants and develop a knowledge database for the Zayed Institute of Architecture, Heritage, and Arts' digital repository.
Research Type
The grant program offers two research types:
Creative research
Creative research aimed at developing visual or physical outcomes that examine aspects of relationships or topics related to modern architectural heritage of the UAE.
Outcomes may include the following formats:
- Books (completed graphical or written exploration of the topic)
- Illustration(s) / photography series
- Film
- Drawing(s)
- Physical installation
- Other formats
Scholarly research
Scholarly research which results in written publications of the modern architectural heritage of the UAE.
Outcomes may include the following formats:
- Conference paper
- Journal article
- Book chapter
- Full book
Key Dates
31 July 2025 by 11:59 pm
The last day to apply for the first cycle of the Modern Heritage Grant Program.
August – September 2025
Review of applications submitted for the first cycle of the Modern Heritage Grant Program.
October 2025
Announcement of grants winners of the Modern Heritage Grant Program.