Research Excellence Award

​As a part of the 2026 Annual Research Forum and Exhibition activities, the Research Excellence Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding researchers at Qatar University whose work delivers transformative impact on society, industry, and academia. The award honors contributions that tackle major national challenges in support of the sustainable human, social, economic, and environmental development of the State of Qatar, while advancing innovation and fulfilling Qatar University's mission and vision.

The Award is granted to faculty members and researchers in the following three categories:

Category 1: Sciences and Engineering including, but not restricted to, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, marine sciences, environmental sciences, human nutrition, physics, mathematics, statistics and all branches of engineering.

Category 2: Humanities and Social Sciences including, but not restricted to, law, education, business and economics, Arabic language and literature, English, history, international affairs, mass communication, policy planning and development, psychology, sociology and social work.

Category 3: Medical, Biomedical and Health Sciences including, but not restricted to, medicine, pharmacy, biomedical sciences, sport sciences, public health and health sciences.

The awards shall be conferred at the QU Annual Research Forum and Exhibition on April 14, 2026.

Eligibility

• The nominee must be a faculty member/researcher who has been employed full-time at QU since January 1, 2021.
• The nominee's research output must demonstrate compliance with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct, in alignment with Qatar University's Faculty Professional Conduct By-law for Faculty Members.
• The nominees must have conducted the majority of their research activities at Qatar University.
• Nominees who were not selected in previous years remain eligible to reapply in subsequent cycles.
• Previous recipients of the Research Excellence Award are not eligible for consideration.

Selection Criteria

• The award will be granted to faculty members and researchers whose contributions over the past five years (January 2021 – December 2025) have demonstrated significant impact within their respective fields.
• The research output of the nominee will be evaluated using a range of parameters and key indicators, which include but are not limited to:
• Publication credentials, demonstrated through articles in reputable international peer-reviewed journals with high impact factors, where the nominee is the senior author.  Books, monographs, and book chapters authored as senior author are also considered. Publications in predatory journals, submitted manuscripts, manuscripts under review, conference proceedings, or abstracts are not considered.
• Impact of publications and citations, as reflected in the nominee's H-index or other recognized impact indicators.
• Innovativeness and creativity demonstrated through research products with industry, community, or societal impact, including generated intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Contribution to the supervision of graduate students, as well as to capacity-building initiatives such as postdoctoral training and researcher exchange programs.
• The extent of research funding secured, both as lead principal investigator and as collaborator.
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing research partnerships that enhance the University's profile at regional and global levels.
• Leadership positions on the editorial board of reputable journals. Memberships societies are not considered.
• Layman/public articles, talks, TV and radio appearances that enhance the visibility of Qatar University and promote its research.
• Other relevant research activities and practices that merit consideration as significant contributions toward research excellence.
• Any other events that deserve to be considered as essential contributions to research excellence.

Nomination Process

To be considered for the award, individual faculty members and researchers must submit the following:

• A cover letter addressed to the VPRGS of Qatar University, clearly listing the nominee's salient research achievements from January 2021 to December 2025, along with a summary paragraph justifying their candidacy for the award. The cover letter should be submitted as a PDF and not exceed 3 pages.
• A PDF copy of the updated CV, highlighting relevant information and key achievements and impact from January 2021 to December 2025.
• Form 1, completed and signed by the applicant and their direct manager (e.g., HoD, Associate Dean for Research, Dean/Director).
  
• Form 2, completed by the applicant, providing detailed information about research activities, research impact, projects, and achievements.
  

The complete nomination folder, including all required attachments, must be submitted electronically to vpr.excellenceaward@qu.edu.qa.