The Talent Enablement Program brings together 11 initiatives spanning education, mentorship, competitions and career opportunities
Talent Observatory database will identify and track the UAE’s most promising R&D talent, enabling tailored support and opportunities at every stage of their development
Initiative builds on ATRC’s STEM programs, which have reached more than 50,000 students across the Emirates
Abu Dhabi, UAE, November, 2026 – The Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) today launched the ‘R&D Talent Enablement Program’, a national initiative designed to accelerate the growth of the UAE’s research and development (R&D) workforce and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as an incubator of world-class scientific talent. The program was launched during the National Festival of Science, Technology and Innovation (NSTI) in Al Ain, jointly organized by ATRC and the Ministry of Education.
Aimed at students, graduates and early-career researchers, the program connects opportunities across education, training, mentorship, competitions and research careers. Participants will be able to engage with initiatives spanning six stages of their academic and professional development, creating clearer pathways into research and innovation careers.
H.E. Shahab Issa Abu Shahab, Director General of ATRC, said: “The UAE continues to invest in the capabilities needed to build a competitive, knowledge-based economy. Central to this effort is investment in people. From schoolchildren to PhD candidates, the R&D Talent Enablement Program will provide successive generations of home-grown researchers with the skills, opportunities and experience they need to contribute to the UAE’s future and compete on the global stage.”
At the heart of the program is the Talent Observatory, a national database designed to identify and track the UAE’s most promising R&D talent and enable more informed, tailored support. As students participate in challenges, training and assessments, the Talent Observatory will give ATRC and its affiliated organizations insights into their interests and emerging strengths. With this information, ATRC will proactively provide tailored support and opportunities throughout each participant’s educational journey and early career. ATRC expects to collect more than 20,000 records through the Talent Observatory by 2030.
Dr-Ing. Mae Al Mansoori, Director of R&D Talent Enablement, ATRC, said: “We have never been short of talent in this country. ATRC’s Talent Enablement Program brings the infrastructure to find young people early, keep track of them, give them something to work toward at each stage, and make sure the research sector is there to meet them when they are ready.”
The ATRC Talent Enablement Program comprises 11 initiatives, spanning six stages in a participant’s educational and professional journey. Examples include the ATRC School Program, a year-long initiative that offers a foundational introduction to advanced technology across the UAE’s schools, and community hubs that give children and young people hands-on exposure to R&D. For students who demonstrate the potential to excel in the field, the program offers access to a range of assessments, competitions and upskilling opportunities designed to advance their capabilities in physical AI and space exploration. Towards the latter stages of their formal education, participants will be eligible to secure scholarships, internships and industrial training placements in the UAE and around the world.
About Advanced Technology Research Council ATRC:
The Advanced Technology Research Council is the overarching entity mandated to shape an advanced technology research and development ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and drive the strategic research priorities of the UAE. Responsible for accelerating Abu Dhabi’s research efforts across academia and industry, consolidating funds for efficient investment, and driving policy and regulation for agile decision-making, ATRC guides breakthrough technology solutions and establishes Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE as a desired home for advanced technology talent and a global hub for innovation.
