The Strategic Launch of Dubai Government HR Research Awards 2026

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), a pivotal entity in shaping the emirate's public sector workforce, officially launched the second cycle of its prestigious Research Awards on May 12, 2026. Held under the compelling theme "From Research to Decision," this initiative underscores Dubai's commitment to harnessing scientific inquiry for policy innovation and human capital advancement. The launch event, attended by high-profile figures including Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri and Dr. Amer Sharif, featured a keynote by DGHR Director General Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, who emphasized research as a cornerstone for agile, future-ready government operations.

This annual competition invites original applied research addressing critical human resources challenges in Dubai's government sector. By bridging academia and public administration, the awards foster evidence-based decision-making, aligning with the UAE's broader vision for a knowledge-driven economy. As Dubai positions itself as a global hub for innovation, initiatives like these are vital for equipping the workforce with insights into emerging trends such as artificial intelligence integration and employee wellbeing.

Core Objectives Driving the Awards

At its heart, the Dubai Government HR Research Awards aim to enrich Dubai's cultural and scientific landscape while motivating government employees and postgraduate students to contribute actionable research. Key goals include studying the realities, challenges, and future trajectories of human resources management; promoting lifelong learning; and cultivating an innovative work environment. By encouraging participation from both public servants and academics, DGHR seeks to build a resilient government model capable of navigating rapid technological and societal shifts.

His Excellency Al Falasi highlighted during the launch that these awards recognize knowledge and research as enablers of informed policies and efficient operations. This focus not only strengthens national talent but also integrates practical applications from studies into everyday governance, ensuring Dubai remains at the forefront of public sector excellence.

Expanded Partnership with Leading UAE Universities

The 2026 cycle expands on the inaugural edition by collaborating with up to eight partner universities, each curating a specialized theme reflective of Dubai's strategic priorities. These institutions provide thematic guidance, ensuring submissions are laser-focused on high-impact areas. Here's a breakdown of the partners and their focal themes:

• Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University: Workplace Skills, Lifelong Learning, and the Future-Ready Government Workforce – emphasizing digital skills, AI-enabled platforms, and learning impact measurement.
• Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government: Government HR Management: Reality, Challenges & Future – covering public sector policy, leadership, digital governance, and Emiratisation.
• Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai: Developing HR Systems & Policies – focusing on organizational leadership, workforce foresight, data analytics, and AI in HR.
• Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences: Healthcare, Workforce Well-Being, and Social Care – targeting mental health, wellbeing programs, and healthcare talent development.
• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi: Human-Centred AI, Ethics, and Societal Dimensions of Work – exploring AI ethics, workforce economics, and lifelong learning in an AI era.
• Imam Malik College for Sharia and Law: Islamic Law, Ethics, and Values-Based Human Capital Governance – addressing strategic HR, intergenerational dynamics, and ethical frameworks.
• United Arab Emirates University: Human Behaviour and Policy Design for an Effective Public Sector Workforce – delving into behavioral policies, leadership influence, and cognitive factors.

These partnerships exemplify the synergy between academia and government, with universities like United Arab Emirates University playing a crucial role in behavioral research tailored to public service.

Eligibility Criteria and Submission Process

Open to two distinct tracks, the awards ensure broad accessibility while maintaining rigor. The Student Track targets Master's and PhD candidates enrolled at partner universities, requiring alignment with their institution's theme. Dubai Government employees with at least three years of professional experience (one continuous year in Dubai service) form the Government Employee Track, allowing flexibility in theme selection.

Submissions must be individual efforts – no co-authorship – via official institutional emails, in Arabic or English, between 5,000-7,000 words. Required documents include the paper in .docx format (Calibri 11, single-spaced, Harvard style), CV, plagiarism/AI disclosure form, and similarity report (plagiarism ≤15%, AI ≤30% for polishing only). Applications are emailed to ResearchAwards@dghr.gov.ae from May 12 to September 13, 2026.

Rigorous Evaluation Framework

A blinded evaluation by an expert committee uses a 100-point rubric prioritizing innovation (20 points), theme alignment (15), methodology (15), analysis quality (15), practical value (15), writing (10), and abstract/language (10). This ensures winning research is not only theoretically sound but directly applicable to policy, with winners gaining financial prizes (amounts TBA), certificates, trophies, and publication opportunities in DGHR channels. Intellectual property terms grant DGHR non-exclusive licenses while crediting authors fully.

Triumphs from the Inaugural 2025 Cycle

The first edition in 2025 garnered 70 scientific papers from 27 governmental and academic entities, a testament to burgeoning interest in applied HR research. Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University led with five entries, followed by DGHR (three). Winners were celebrated in an October 2025 ceremony, with their works influencing policy on talent development and workplace innovation. Project Manager Amira Kamali noted the overwhelming response, signaling strong momentum for future cycles. While specific winner details are forthcoming on the DGHR site, the success validated the awards' role in fostering research-policy synergy.

Aligning with UAE HR Research Trends for 2026

The awards' themes mirror key UAE HR trends, including AI-driven HR processes, Emiratisation efforts, employee wellbeing amid hybrid work, and ethical AI adoption. Reports highlight Dubai's focus on digital transformation, with 79% of CEOs noting AI risks to performance. Flexible models, skills reskilling, and nationalization quotas are priorities, as UAE firms accelerate analytics and lifelong learning platforms. By addressing these – from behavioral policy design to values-based governance – the awards position Dubai as a leader in future-proofing its 300,000+ public sector workforce.

For instance, themes on human-centered AI ethics resonate with regional pushes for responsible tech integration, while wellbeing research tackles post-pandemic mental health challenges prevalent in high-pressure government roles.

Implications for UAE Higher Education and Public Sector

Partnering with elite institutions like UAEU and MBRU elevates UAE higher education's role in national development. Postgraduate students gain real-world impact opportunities, enhancing employability in government HR roles. For Dubai's public sector, winning research translates to policies boosting productivity, retention, and innovation – critical as UAE aims for 10% GDP growth from knowledge economy by 2031.

Stakeholders, including Dr. Yousef Al Assaf of RIT Dubai, praised the initiative for bridging academia-government gaps, fostering multi-perspective solutions to HR challenges like talent shortages and digital upskilling.

Future Outlook and Call to Action

With submissions open until September, the 2026 cycle promises even greater participation and impact. As DGHR expands partners, expect deeper dives into emerging areas like intergenerational workforce dynamics and cognitive policy design. Researchers and students are urged to visit the official DGHR page for guidelines and apply promptly.

This awards program not only celebrates intellectual contributions but propels Dubai toward a hyper-competitive, human-centered future. For those in UAE higher education or government service, it's a prime avenue to shape tomorrow's workforce today.

Photo by Christoph Schulz on Unsplash