Khaberni - The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, the cultural and social arm of the Arab Bank, announced the closing of the application period for the Arab Researchers Award in its 44th session for the year 2026.
Muna Zaqsaw, the head of the Scientific Research and Innovation Department at the foundation, indicated in a press statement today, that there has been a notable increase in the number of applications submitted this year since the last increase stabilized over the past three years. Since the start of this session, the Foundation has received 1553 applications, 656 of which were complete, all from Arab researchers working in scientific and academic institutions around the world.
She confirmed that the highest number of applications were in the field of genomic medicine and precision medicine, where the Foundation received 111 complete applications, while the Foundation received 28 applications in the field of supply chain management. The number of applications received in the fields of basic sciences and social and humanities sciences has been approximate, demonstrating the foundation's and the prize management team's efforts to enhance the role of social sciences and humanities in scientific research.
The prize fields included: "Medical and Health Sciences" covering genomic medicine and precision medicine, telemedicine and digital health; "Engineering and Technological Sciences" covering smart electric power network technology, green hydrogen applications and derivatives; "Basic Sciences" including artificial intelligence and smart earth monitoring, smart mathematical modeling and its applications; "Human, Social, and Educational Sciences" including memory studies, emotional and social intelligence in the educational system; and "Water, Energy, and Food Sciences" covering soil health and fertility management, circular economy and energy efficiency in sustainable agriculture; and "Economic and Administrative Sciences" including financial and administrative disclosure, and supply chain management.
The "Shoman Award for Arab Researchers" is granted based on the foundation's belief that societies cannot advance without science and without promoting it in various aspects of life. The award aims to support male and female researchers in the Arab world in various scientific fields, in addition to contributing to supporting Arabic scientific research and enhancing its role.
The evaluation of the scientific output submitted is carried out by judging panels formed by the award's scientific body consisting of experts and competent individuals based on criteria that ensure the objectivity and credibility of the award's results. The panels make justified decisions in selecting the winners or withholding the award.
The award provides recognition for distinguished scientific output in the five years preceding the nomination which, through its publication and dissemination, leads to an increase in scientific and applied knowledge and contributes to solving problems of local, regional, and global priority, and promotes the culture of scientific research. It consists of a certificate including the name of the award and the winner, the field won, and a monetary reward of 20,000 dollars, in addition to a shield bearing the name and logo of the award.
The Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers was launched in 1982 as the first Arabian award concerned with scientific research and celebrates Arab researchers. It aims to develop a generation of researchers and experts in various scientific fields, in addition to contributing to the support of scientific research. Since its inception until now, (506) Arab researchers and researchers have won the award in various fields and subjects of the award, in recognition of their distinguished scientific achievements in various fields of knowledge.
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