UAE Launches Great Arab Minds Initiative's Second Edition With AED6 Million Prize Pool

The UAE has launched the second edition of the Great Arab Minds initiative, with a total prize pool of AED 6 million. This program will award AED 1 million to the winner in each category, honoring six recipients.

Nominations can be submitted on https://greatarabminds.ae/ar/nomination-process/ and will close for both individuals and institutions on Oct. 31.

The awards have six categories: medicine, engineering and technology, economics, natural sciences, architecture and design, and literature and arts. This edition is expected to receive thousands of nominations from the Arab region and beyond, WAM reported.

The initiative celebrates pioneers, innovators, and creators whose outstanding achievements open new paths for their countries, Arab communities, and the world. It also highlights Arab individuals who serve as role models for younger generations, showcasing their creative ideas that boost the Arab world's global reputation in knowledge, science, and culture.

This initiative, also known as the "Arab Nobel Prize," aims to recognize Arabs who have made major contributions to humanity and to reignite the Arab world's spirit of scientific inquiry and leadership throughout history.

The Great Arab Minds initiative honors exceptional Arab individuals whose achievements have helped advance knowledge and progress in the Arab world and globally.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Committee overseeing the Great Arab Minds initiative, said that from the beginning, the vision of this program has been to create a lasting project.

It aims to inspire Arab thinkers, highlight role models and honor talented individuals, helping to build a stronger Arab scientific movement in the future.

"Great Arab Minds is a strategic project aimed at showcasing the capabilities and potential of Arabs and reviving their historical role in shaping the future of the world. It seeks to elevate the pillars of human knowledge through the values of partnership, cooperation, and future readiness," Al Gergawi said.

"Our role today is to celebrate Arab minds contributing to the progress of civilization. The initiative focuses on creating Arab role models who can serve as beacons for future generations in priority sectors," he added.

The goal of the Great Arab Minds initiative is to revive the long-standing leadership of the Arab world in its scientific contributions to humanity, the minister noted, adding that the initiative is starting to act as a catalyst for the return of talented Arabs who want to come back to the region to contribute to development, innovation and creativity.