Research and Practice Platform

Research and Practice Platform (2026)

UAE Creative Sector Emergency Support Programme
Art Jameel and Dubai Culture introduce the third edition of the Research and Practice Platform (RPP) 2026, conceived as a rapid-response grants programme to support creative practitioners in Dubai and across the UAE affected by the recent geopolitical crisis. Building on the success of previous editions of the Research and Practice Platform — including earlier collaborations between Art Jameel and Dubai Culture and emergency-response models developed during the COVID-19 pandemic — this initiative is designed to provide timely, practical support to sustain the UAE’s creative community during a period of uncertainty and disruption.

The programme offers grants of AED 10,000 without prescriptive project requirements, allowing practitioners to direct support where it is most needed in their own practice. Recipients become part of the Research and Practice Platform network, gaining access to mentorship, professional development, networking, and future programming opportunities — creating long-term connections within the UAE’s creative ecosystem. All applicants, whether selected or not, are also welcome to participate in associated events including Creative Careers Days, which bring together practitioners, institutions, and industry professionals from across the UAE.

Who can apply
Core Requirements
– UAE national or long-term resident
– Valid Emirates ID and UAE bank account
– Aged 18 years or above
– Based in the UAE at the time of application
– Actively engaged in a creative or cultural practice (including maintaining an active creative network and exchanging with and supporting peers; contributing to local educational or community events; regularly attending arts events or visiting cultural institutions; and sustaining a creative practice that is central to your daily life, whether or not it is your primary source of income.

Eligible Disciplines
The programme welcomes applications from across creative and cultural practice, including but not limited to:
– Visual arts and interdisciplinary practices
– Design, illustration, and architecture
– Photography and film
– Writing, publishing, and research
– Music and performance
– Curatorial and cultural production
– Digital and emerging creative practices
– Fashion, craft, and material practices

Career Stage
The programme is open to practitioners at all stages, including:
– Emerging practitioners
– Mid-career creatives
– Established practitioners
– Freelancers and independent practitioners
– Part-time or interdisciplinary professionals
– Practitioners transitioning into creative practice

Individuals and Collectives
The programme primarily supports individual practitioners. Small-scale collectives or collaborative practices may also be considered where the funding would provide meaningful support to shared creative activity.

Selection Considerations:

The extent to which the applicant has been affected by current conditions and how the grant would support continuity of their creative practice.

The applicant’s contribution with and commitment to the local creative community, practice, collaboration, cultural initiatives, and broader involvement in the UAE’s cultural landscape.

How awarding the grant may contribute to wider benefits beyond the individual, enabling continued creative activity and supporting collaborative networks.

Whether the proposed use of funds would provide practical and meaningful support to the applicant’s practice.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from Wednesday, May 20 2026.
Applications will be assessed and awarded through a rigorous open call and assessment process, with an independent jury made up of established practitioners and experts who are familiar with the UAE cultural ecosystem and the nature of such programmes and collaborations.
In the spirit of discretion during the application review process, the names and identities of the members of the committee may be withheld at least until its conclusion.
The application is to be submitted via an online form that can be found below. Applications can be submitted in English or Arabic.
While all applicants will receive an acknowledgement that their application has been received, only successful applicants will be contacted.

Applications accepted through July 31 – Apply HERE.

Research and Practice Platform (2023)

Aligned with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and COP28 taking place in Dubai, Art Jameel and Dubai Culture are delighted to introduce the second iteration of the Research and Practice Platform. The programme aims to support innovative arts projects that actively respond to the climate emergency – in intent, theme, practice and/or process. With a specific focus on providing opportunities for UAE-based artists and creative practitioners, this edition of the Research and Practice Platform is launched in collaboration with Al Quoz Creative Zone, a comprehensive ecosystem in Dubai for creatives, practitioners, and entrepreneurs.

This programme builds on the success of the 2020 Research and Practice Platform, which was developed and managed by Art Jameel, with support from Dubai Culture, and responded to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the cultural sector. With the Research and Practice Platform 2023-24, we aim to continue in our joint commitment to supporting and nurturing the artistic and cultural landscape of Dubai and the UAE.

The programme aims to

Support creative practitioners in developing research and/or producing cultural projects that engage with the climate emergency through intent, theme, material and/or narrative,
Support projects that raise awareness and inspire engagement and collaborative participation;
Support experimental and creative approaches to cultural production that centre local, community-based and intersectional perspectives.

Grants

The Research and Practice Platform awards grants of AED 3,600 ($1000) to AED 22,000 ($6000) to individual artists and collectives working on climate-related projects and proposals in the UAE.

Meet the recipients

Research and Practice Platform (2020)

In response to the challenges that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the arts and creative sector, Art Jameel introduced the inaugural edition of the Research and Practice Platform. The programme was primarily aimed at those who worked on a per-project basis and whose practices had been affected by programme cancellations and project changes, both locally and globally. The micro-fees offered through the platform were intended to further the development of ongoing and upcoming research and projects over the following months. The programme was open to all practitioners based in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Art Jameel received a total of 496 applications and awarded a total of 97 allocations to individuals and Collectives.

The Art Jameel Research and Practice Platform awarded micro-fees ranging from £1000 to £2000; some projects showing exceptional scope and need were awarded an extended allocation of up to £3000 (based on the budget given in the application and jury discretion).

Programme Objectives:

Supported independent artists and creative practitioners in the development of compelling and original work, whether existing or new.
Supported artists and creative practitioners whose research towards upcoming projects and new ideas had been disrupted due to current circumstances.
Supported artists and creative practitioners in adapting existing projects and practices for the current environment and thinking through new mediums of delivery (e.g., online) or future offline scenarios.
Helped artists whose ability to teach, participate, curate, write, or produce work during that time had been curtailed due to institutional closures or cancelled events, exhibitions, and public programmes.