The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has announced that it will be hosting a workshop this week to update its 2024 Solicitation in preparation for the program’s 6th Cycle. This new cycle, which invites submissions from researchers worldwide, will open at the beginning of next year.
The workshop aims to refine the solicitation process, ensuring that the guidelines and criteria for submission are clear and aligned with the latest scientific advancements and research priorities. This will help researchers better understand what is expected and how they can effectively contribute to the program’s goals.
Participants in this workshop hail from some of the world’s leading institutions. These include the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Munich University, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). The involvement of these prominent organizations reflects the high caliber of expertise that UAEREP attracts and works with.
Many of these experts are joining UAEREP’s discussions for the first time, which underscores the program’s expanding network of specialists. The inclusion of new voices and perspectives is expected to enrich the dialogue and contribute to more robust and innovative approaches to rain enhancement science.
During the workshop, attendees will engage in detailed discussions and collaborative sessions to review and revise the solicitation document. Topics likely to be covered include the latest advancements in rain enhancement technologies, potential research methodologies, and the specific challenges that need addressing. The objective is to make a comprehensive and forward-thinking solicitation that encourages high-quality research proposals.
This updated workshop is a critical step in UAEREP’s ongoing efforts to advance the science of rain enhancement. By bringing together a diverse group of experts, the program ensures that it remains at the cutting edge of research and innovation, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The workshop will ultimately finish with the finalization of the 6th Cycle solicitation document.
Each cycle, UAEREP invites researchers to submit innovative proposals that can advance rain enhancement science and technology. This year, the workshop will focus on five main areas of interest.
Optimized Seeding Materials – Research new and improved materials that can be used to seed clouds and enhance rainfall. This involves developing substances that can efficiently initiate or increase precipitation when introduced into clouds.
Rain Enhancement Systems – Development of systems that can efficiently and effectively increase rainfall. This could include ground-based or airborne systems designed to deliver seeding materials to clouds in a more targeted and effective manner.
Autonomous Technology – The use of automated and unmanned systems to carry out rain enhancement operations. Autonomous technology can improve the precision and safety of cloud seeding missions, allowing operations to be conducted in various weather conditions without risking human lives.
Advanced Models – Creation of refined models that can expect and improve rain enhancement outcomes. These models use weather data and simulations to better understand how seeding materials interact with clouds and how these interactions can be optimized to increase rainfall.
Software and Data – Development of new software tools and the use of data to support rain enhancement research and operations. Advanced software can help in analyzing vast amounts of meteorological data, improving decision-making processes, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of rain enhancement projects.
Commenting on the workshop, Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) and President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that the workshop shows a strong commitment to working together internationally on cloud seeding research. He stressed the importance of collaborating with leading scientists and experts to set research goals and find bearable solutions for water lack and safety, both in the UAE and globally.
Alya Al Mazroui, the Director of UAEREP, expressed pride in the program’s ten years of supporting 14 projects. She emphasized the significance of the workshop in equipping for the 6th grant cycle. The event aims to broaden UAEREP’s impact on rain enhancement research, encourage productive discussions, and address important global water issues. This workshop will help set the stage for more effective research and solutions in the future.
Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud, who is the Founding Director of the Climate and Water Programme at the Middle East Institute and also the Chair of the Workshop, highlighted how important it is to bring together top scientists to help shape the future of UAEREP. He said that the ideas and partnerships formed during the workshop will play a big role in guiding the program’s mission and reaching the goals of the next grant cycle.
By organizing this workshop, the program aims to attract new and creative research projects that will help expand what we know about making rain.
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