The British Embassy in the UAE invites applications for projects to support UK leadership and/or strengthen UK-UAE links in the following areas:
- nature and biodiversity
- clean water and sanitation
- clean hydrogen
- carbon capture, utilisation or storage
- artificial intelligence – with clean energy, climate or nature applications
Projects may be in the range of £80,000 to £150,000, should last for three to nine months and must be completed by March 2026. Applications for smaller projects will also be considered.
Eligible organisations should:
- be structured as not for profit organisations
- have strong existing links to the UAE, and ideally a physical footprint in the UAE
- be able to demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit the UK, and/or strengthen links between the UK and the UAE
Contact the Programme Manager at UAE.Programmes@fcdo.gov.uk if you have any questions.
How to apply
We encourage interested organisations to submit an initial concept note, in the format of your choice, to UAE.Programmes@fcdo.gov.uk by 8 May 2025. We will aim to provide feedback within five working days of concept note submission. You will then need to complete the full project proposal form (ODT, 61.1 KB) and Activity Based Budget template (ODS, 9.91 KB) and submit to UAE.Programmes@fcdo.gov.uk by 22 May. We strongly encourage submitting bids as soon as possible to allow time for feedback and guidance.
The Activity Based Budget must clearly indicate the planned expenditure, including itemised delivery, administrative and staffing costs.
Timeline
25 May: call for bids opens
5 May (1pm to 2pm BST): Information webinar (follow link to register)
8 May: (Optional) Concept note submission deadline
22 May: Full proposal submission deadline
w/c 2 June: Communication of funding decisions
How proposals will be assessed
Bids will be assessed and evaluated against the following criteria:
- value for money
- strategic fit
- evidence of local demand or need
- evidence of strong existing links to the UAE
- project viability, including capacity of implementing organisation(s) and feasibility to deliver the proposed outcomes within the project time period
- project design, including clear achievable impact
- risk and stakeholder management
Richard Atkinson Programme Manager, British Embassy Abu Dhabi. Email: UAE.Programmes@fcdo.gov.uk
