The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) and the Ministry of Sports and Youth have jointly launched the third edition of the Distinguished Youth Researcher Award, aimed at empowering young researchers in Qatar. The initiative, supervised by the Department of Islamic Research and Studies at Awqaf and coordinated with relevant departments from both ministries, seeks to strengthen strategic cooperation and foster scientific research among Qatari youth.

HE Sheikh Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Thani, Director of the Department of Islamic Research and Studies, described the award as a quality initiative focused on encouraging young researchers to examine urgent societal challenges and offer practical solutions that contribute to societal advancement. The latest cycle encourages both Qatari citizens and residents to explore the influence of role models on shaping behaviors and values, with a particular emphasis on the impact of digital media and new media environments.

The Ministry of Sports and Youth highlighted Awqaf’s role in providing a strong academic platform to support young researchers. The ministry emphasized that involving youth directly in studying their own issues enhances the credibility of findings and ensures that proposed solutions are firmly grounded in real-world needs. Jawaher Al Sulaiti, Director of the Planning, Quality, and Innovation Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, stressed that the award aligns with the objectives outlined in Qatar’s National Youth Policy. These objectives include encouraging scientific research and innovation, boosting youth engagement in addressing national priorities, and fostering evidence-based knowledge production.

Al Sulaiti noted that the ministry is dedicated to creating an enabling environment for young people to leverage their intellectual capabilities in tackling challenges relevant to their lives and future aspirations. She highlighted the growing importance of understanding how role models influence youth in the context of rapid digital transformation and social media development. This evolving landscape underscores the necessity for scientific insight to inform decision-making and youth program development.

The award serves as a national platform for identifying emerging research talent, refining research skills, and motivating rigorous scientific study that supports youth-focused initiatives and services. This effort contributes to the broader goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Youth Policy by fostering a conscious and creative generation capable of driving progress.

In its third edition, the award concentrates on five integrated themes surrounding the concept of role models in the lives of Qatari youth. The prize pool exceeds QR200,000, with QR100,000 awarded to the first-place winner, QR75,000 to second place, and QR50,000 to third place. This prize structure reflects the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s commitment to promoting research excellence and establishing a culture of scientific inquiry as a foundation for sustainable national development.

Submissions for the award will be accepted until Monday, 1 Safar 1449 AH, corresponding to July 5, 2027. Winners will be announced by December 31, 2027, at the latest.