Abu dhabi: The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), managed by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), today announced the awardees of its Sixth Cycle grant during a press conference held at NCM in Abu Dhabi. Each recipient will receive a grant of up to US$1.5 million (AED 5.511 million), distributed over three years, with a maximum annual amount of US$550,000.
According to Emirates News Agency, the awardees for the Sixth Cycle are Dr. Dixon Michael from Echo Science Works, Boulder, Colorado, USA, Prof. Linda Zou from Victoria University, Australia, and Dr. Oliver Branch from the University of Hohenheim, Germany. Dr. Dixon Michael's research is focused on 'Advancing Cloud Seeding Science with Dual-Polarization Radar Signatures and AI'. Prof. Linda Zou's proposal is titled 'AI-assisted Development and Optimisation of Glaciogenic Cloud Seeding Materials'. Dr. Oliver Branch's project is 'Rainfall Enhancement through Modification of Land Cover and Land Form (RAINLAND)'.
Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Director General of the National Center of Meteorology, remarked on UAEREP's role as a global hub for scientific collaboration. Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAEREP has attracted leading scientists and research institutions worldwide. The National Centre of Meteorology supports this success by providing access to meteorological infrastructure and advanced research facilities.
Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP and Director of Research and Weather Enhancement Department at NCM, extended congratulations to the awardees. She emphasized the importance of UAEREP's resources and global collaborations in enabling the awardees to develop practical, science-based solutions for water security and climate resilience.
Dr. Dixon Michael's project seeks to advance cloud seeding impact evaluations in the UAE by upgrading LROSE/TITAN to measure microphysical pathways and assess impacts using transparent, uncertainty-aware methods. Prof. Linda Zou's project will develop nanocomposite materials as ice nucleation agents and use AI analytics for optimization. Dr. Oliver Branch's RAINLAND project aims to demonstrate that land-cover and land-topography modifications can trigger moist convection, enhancing rainfall in the UAE.
Since its launch at the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) in January 2025, the Sixth Cycle received 140 submissions, from which 16 pre-proposals were selected following a rigorous review process in May 2025.