Muscat – The programme, targeting Omanis and residents of the Sultanate of Oman who are students of higher education institutions (university diploma and above), will continue until May 31.

The programme seeks to motivate researchers and innovators and support institutions to transform ideas into innovative start-ups. It aims to contribute to sustainable economic development, spread the culture of scientific research and innovation, support and empower innovators and creative students with start-up projects, and achieve excellence in the field of entrepreneurship.

It will help grow and sustain start-ups in the market so as to build a knowledge-based economy, and raise the rank and classification of the Sultanate of Oman in global indicators. Additionally, it will strengthen partnerships with the private sector, and provide diverse, strategic and sustainable sources of financing.

The current version of the programme includes competition in three tracks: Emerging Technologies Track, Water Track, and Financial Technologies Track.

It will offer an integrated programme of incubation, development, support, and specialised training for the winning teams in the field of developing start-up companies, and building leadership and professional capabilities.

To apply for the programme, the applicant must be a student at an academic institution in the final academic year of the university stage (university diploma or higher). Graduates within two years of obtaining the graduation certificate are also allowed to apply for the program, provided that the application is submitted electronically through the registration link via the Oman Research Portal (with the possibility of submitting in both Arabic and English).

Any application that is not submitted electronically, or after the end of the specified registration period, will not be considered. Each participant is entitled to submit only one application, and membership is limited to one project only.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation will supervise the programme in cooperation with partners from the public and private sectors, such as: Omantel, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Nama Water Services, Daleel Petroleum Company, and the Industrial Innovation Academy, in addition to the Central Bank of Oman and the National Bank of Oman.

It is worth noting that the participating projects will be sorted and evaluated after the registration period closes by a jury consisting of the programme’s partners.