UAE Launches 65 Research Grants and Livelihood Projects to Support Moroccan Women

Prime Highlights:

Sheikha Jawaher launched 65 research grants and livelihood programmes to support women’s education and economic independence.

The initiative focuses on boosting women’s skills, research capabilities, and income, especially in earthquake-affected areas.

Key Facts:

45 grants are for postgraduate students at Cadi Ayyad University, and 20 grants for Al Akhawayn University faculty and students.

Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Development projects will benefit over 1,100 women and residents in Al Haouz Province.

Background

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi has launched 65 university research grants and new livelihood programmes in Morocco to support women’s education and economic independence. On November 4, 2025, she announced the initiative during her visit to Marrakech and Ifrane.

Supported by the UAE, the initiative is part of the Jawaher Fund for Women’s Education. The initiative helps women keep studying, improve their research skills, and build steady income sources, especially in areas hit by the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake.

The research grants aim to boost women’s role in higher education and innovation. Of the total, 45 grants will go to postgraduate students at Cadi Ayyad University, and 20 grants will support faculty and students at Al Akhawayn University. Research will focus on key national fields such as science, health, business, and technology.

To build long-term cooperation, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NAMA Women Advancement, The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), and Mayshad Foundation. This agreement links educational research with on-ground community projects.

In Al Haouz Province, the Sustainable Livelihoods Project, funded by NAMA, will help about 100 rural women earn $1,360–$3,000 annually through livestock farming. Another project, the Community Development Hub, funded by TBHF, will provide educational, health, and training services to over 1,000 residents.

Sheikha Jawaher said empowering women is not just social work but “a development goal,” stressing that women are central to building strong, balanced, and stable communities.