Saudi Arabia’s Research Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) has launched its first financial package of $83 million (SR312 million) in order to support research laboratories across the Kingdom.
The financial package intends to develop research centers and laboratories in the Kingdom. This move is in line with the national research priorities set by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who is also chairman of the Supreme Committee for Research, Development, and Innovation.
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology and RDIA Board of Directors Chairman Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan, and RDIA General Supervisor Dr. Mohammed bin Oweid Al-Otaibi were among those who attended the launching ceremony.
The event also marked the inauguration of a nationwide open-access portal showcasing the Kingdom’s funded research infrastructure.
The Open Access Portal is a platform that connects researchers and innovators with the research infrastructure available in universities and research centers in the Kingdom and enables researchers to request access to people and entities in the research and innovation system.
As per the statement, this is done by enabling requests for access to laboratories and research laboratories in Saudi Arabia.
Further, the new portal aims to streamline access to research facilities, empower innovators and creators, and promote open collaboration.
According to the statement, “A total of 30 entities were named as recipients of funding. They include universities, laboratories, hospitals, and private organizations working in diverse scientific fields. Among the laboratories that will receive funding, 41 percent focus on human health, 27 percent on environmental sustainability and basic needs, 19 percent on leadership in energy and industry, and 13 percent on future economics.”
