Research has the potential to solve many of the world’s most pressing social and environmental problems.

This is the idea behind a three-day conference in Dubai this November.

Academics can now apply to be involved in the Prototypes for Humanity research showcase – and the organisers will cover the cost of flights and accommodation for researchers selected for the Professors’ Programme.

All you have to do is submit a brief abstract for an academic paper addressing one of the key themes:

Wellbeing and Health Futures
Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure
Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Intelligence
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action
Socio-Economic Empowerment and Innovation

There are also Open and Speculative categories for impactful research that doesn’t fit within a single theme and studies in uncharted or emerging fields.

The conference will take place at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai, from 17 to 20 November, 2025.

If you, or any of your colleagues, are interested in being part of the programme, you can find more information here – or apply here. Abstracts can be submitted until 16 May.

Here are some other great opportunities for researchers which we’ve spotted this week:

Applications are open for the latest round of a popular funding programme from the British Academy. You can currently apply for a £10,000 grant as part of the scheme, offered in association with the Leverhulme Trust. These awards are intended to support primary research in the humanities and social sciences for a period of up to 24 months. This one is open to postdoctoral researchers in the United Kingdom. Deadline: 4 June.
Cumberland Lodge is a Grade II-listed building in Windsor’s 5,000-acre Great Park. The lodge has relaunched its two-year fellowship, offering 10 places each year for "emerging leaders”. The idea of the programme is to help researchers enhance their skills in public engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership, and policy dialogue. The programme is open to PhD candidates and early-career researchers based in the London area. Deadline: 30 May.
Applications are open for a two-year research fellowship focused on Islamic financial markets. The position, based at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, comes with a stipend of between £46,762 and £57,475. The centre promotes advanced scholarship on Islam and the Muslim world and supports interdisciplinary and policy-relevant research. Applicants should hold a doctorate in a relevant field and have substantial research experience, with experience in financial markets, fundraising, or partnership development considered desirable. Deadline: 5 May.
This next one is a good opportunity for researchers in political science, international relations and economics who are at the start of their careers. The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is looking to take on a number of trainees for a period of 10 months. You would be helping with research, event organisation and outreach activities. The positions come with a monthly grant. To apply, you have to be a citizen of an EU member state and be fluent in English with thorough knowledge of at least one other European language. Deadline: 30 April.
Are you interested in carrying out research at Harvard University’s specialist centre for the internet and society? The Berkman Klein Fellowship comes with a $75,000 stipend, with the university open to sponsoring international candidates. There are academic fellowships available for full-time faculty members, post-doc fellowships for scholars who have recently completed PhDs, and non-academic fellowships for accomplished practitioners from outside the academy. Deadline: 30 April.
You can currently submit evidence to an inquiry looking at the potential environmental impact of proposed airport expansions. The Environmental Audit Committee is welcoming submissions related to the government’s plans to "support the expansion of airport capacity in the UK while ensuring its targets relating to climate and the environment continue to be met”. Written submissions should not be longer than 3,000 words. Deadline: 24 April.
Can artificial intelligence be used to get more people to switch from using cars to more environmentally friendly ways of travelling? This is one of the questions posed by Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme. The idea of the programme is to use AI to address a business challenge or opportunity put forward by a number of partner organisations. UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £200,000 for a five month project. Deadline: 23 April.
This last one is for academics from Africa: Applications are open for an early-career research fellowship programme with 42 places available. The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) is funding a series of six month fellowships between July this year and June next year, with more than 70% of places reserved for female candidates. To apply, you must be under 35 and have a PhD in a discipline related to one of ARUA’s 13 centres of research excellence. Applications will be considered until all the places are full and those who apply before 15 May will be considered for the first batch of positions.

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All the best,
Adam at Universal Impact