UAE Awards USD 1.5 Million Rain Enhancement Grants to Scientists

Three scientists have secured grants of up to USD 1.5 million each under the sixth cycle of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, operated by the National Centre of Meteorology. The funding supports research into cloud seeding and rainfall enhancement as part of wider efforts to strengthen water security.
The selected projects were chosen from 140 proposals submitted by researchers across 48 countries. Funding will be distributed over a three-year period, with an annual cap of USD 550,000 per project.
The awardees include Dr Michael Dixon, principal radar meteorologist at Echo Science Works in Boulder, Colorado; Linda Zou, adjunct professor at the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities at Victoria University in Australia; and Dr Oliver Branch, senior scientist and head coordinator of the Land Atmosphere Feedback Observatory at the Institute of Physics and Meteorology at the University of Hohenheim in Germany.
Dr Dixon’s project focuses on improving the evaluation of cloud seeding by enhancing radar systems to observe microphysical changes in seeded clouds. His research integrates advanced storm-tracking techniques and artificial intelligence to help identify suitable storm systems, alongside training components for Emirati scientists.
Professor Zou’s project aims to develop new cloud seeding agents using advanced nanocomposites such as graphene. Artificial intelligence will be used to guide material design, with the objective of producing agents that are potentially safer for the environment and more effective than silver iodide, while supporting knowledge transfer within the UAE.
Dr Branch’s research explores whether engineering local landforms, including sand dunes, could influence wind patterns and generate updrafts conducive to rainfall. The project envisages closer collaboration with the National Centre of Meteorology and Khalifa University to test these concepts.