The Research Council (TRC), in collaboration with the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science and the Ministry of Education, will close the applications for the 4th Research and Innovations Award in Water Science on December 31. The Research and Innovations Award in Water Science comprises two categories; the Scientific Publication Category and the Innovations Category. The value of the total prizes allocated for the winners of the competition is RO20,000.  

Interested applicants can apply for the award, by visiting TRC website www.trc.gov.om, which includes the application conditions and criteria. The Scientific Publication Category in the Field of Water recognises outstanding published research that addresses the challenges in the water sector. This category covers two types of publications – papers of PhD holders and papers of young researchers (non-PhD holders).  

The Innovations Category in the Field of Water includes water innovation prototypes that represent small-scale entries in early stage technology with realistic expectations for commercialisation, and water innovation products/services that represent larger-scale entries with operational benefits or achievements. This category involves two parts: Innovation and Young Innovator (school students from grade 10 to 12).  

The winning project under the papers of PhD holders is awarded RO2,000 and the same applies to the winning project under the young researchers (non-PhD holders). Under the ‘Innovation’ part, the first winning project is awarded RO5,000, the second RO4,000, while the third one RO3000.  

For ‘The Young Innovator’ section, the first winning project will be awarded RO1,200, the second RO1,000, the third RO800 and the fourth and fifth winners RO500. The Research and Innovations Award in Water Science aims to enhance the role of scientific research and encourage and support distinguished innovative initiatives to find solutions to water issues and enhance awareness in the sultanate.