From Research to Impact

in Architecture & Design

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The Architecture and Design Commission (ADC) invites applications for the Architecture and Design Grants, a program designed to support the full research lifecycle across architecture and design disciplines. The grants enable original and rigorous research to progress from development and investigation through to dissemination, supporting the translation of research outcomes into publications, exhibitions, and other knowledge formats. Through an integrated research-to-dissemination framework, the program ensures continuity, strengthens research depth, and extends long-term impact.

As a core component of ADC’s Research Strategy, the Architecture and Design Grants contribute to building a collaborative research ecosystem aligned with national priorities, Vision 2030, and global discourse. The program seeks to advance locally grounded research that responds to Saudi Arabia’s architectural and design context, while positioning the Kingdom as an active contributor to international research, innovation, and the global knowledge-based economy.

Program Objectives

Advance Local Research to Address National Priorities

Support context-specific, rigorous research that addresses Saudi Arabia’s priorities in architecture and design, including urban development, sustainability, and cultural heritage. This objective reinforces locally grounded research that contributes to national strategies, strengthens the Kingdom’s design ecosystem, and informs long-term development.

Amplify Research Visibility and Sector Impact

Enhance the visibility and impact of architectural and design research by supporting its dissemination through publications, exhibitions, and public-facing platforms. By strengthening connections between academia, industry, and government, this objective promotes knowledge exchange, increases research uptake, and advances sector-wide development.

Foster Cross-Disciplinary Innovation

Encourage cross-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration to generate new research approaches, methods, and insights in architecture and design. This objective supports partnerships that integrate diverse expertise, expand design knowledge, and respond to emerging cultural, social, and environmental challenges.

From Context to Opportunity

Research Landscapes in A&D

The research landscape in architecture and design reflects an increasing engagement with questions of people, place, and knowledge. This engagement is expressed through sustained efforts to document and interpret architectural and design histories, growing attention to the human and societal dimensions of the built environment, and expanding exploration of technological and digital transformation.

Research Landscapes in A&D

While valuable work is being produced, opportunities remain to strengthen coherence, deepen documentation and knowledge exchange, and more clearly translate research into long-term sectoral impact through effective dissemination and sustained knowledge sharing. These dynamics highlight the need for more connected and intentional research pathways.

Research Landscapes in A&D

Responding to this context, the Architecture and Design Grants create space for research that places human and societal inquiry at its core, is grounded in critical theory and documentation, and is informed by technological advancement. Within this framework, sustainability, teaching and learning, and professional practice are understood as interrelated dimensions that shape how research is generated, shared, and applied. Through the program, ADC enables research that is rigorous and contextually grounded, while remaining open to evolving disciplinary questions, emerging challenges, and future possibilities within the Kingdom’s architecture and design ecosystem.

Funding Scope: Research & Dissemination Outputs

The Architecture and Design Grants support original research activities and the dissemination of research outcomes across architecture and design disciplines. Funded projects must demonstrate a clear research focus, well-defined objectives, and an appropriate methodological approach, resulting in outputs that contribute to professional, academic and public knowledge. Applicants may select the most appropriate dissemination pathway for their research, as outlined below.

Dissemination Pathways

Exhibition Dissemination

Where research is translated into curated, spatial, and experiential formats that communicate knowledge through design, materiality, and storytelling.

Publication Dissemination

Where research is communicated through written, documented, and critically reviewed formats that contribute to scholarly, professional, or public discourse.

Proposals may combine more than one dissemination pathway, provided they clearly articulate the relationship between the research and the proposed outputs, and demonstrate feasibility in terms of scope, timeline, and budget.

Research Stage and Readiness

Applicants may apply at different stages of the research process. Projects may enter the grant timeline at an early conceptual stage or at an advanced stage ready for dissemination; in both cases, the grant supports the remaining research and dissemination activities, ensuring that outcomes are completed and translated into public, professional, or scholarly formats, as illustrated in the following diagram:

01

Early Conceptual
Stage

02

Advanced
Research Stage

03

Finalized
Research Stage

04

Dissemination
Outputs

  • Exhibition Dissemination
  • Publication Dissemination

Beneficiaries

For researchers, including academics and practitioners, in the fields of architecture and design seeking financial support for research and knowledge dissemination.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications
  • Applicants must demonstrate the academic or professional capacity to undertake research in architecture and design.
  • Applicants should hold a Master’s or Ph.D. degree, or a Bachelor’s degree supported by demonstrated research capability and a proven record of publications or research outputs.
  • Eligible applicants include researchers, practitioners and educators with relevant research experience.
Nationality
  • Applicants must be Saudi nationals or Residents.
  • Non-Saudis may apply as part of a team, provided at least one member is a Saudi national.
Topic Relevance
  • Research proposals must be clearly situated within the fields of architecture and design, demonstrating relevance to their theoretical, methodological, or applied dimensions.
  • Proposals should engage with the Saudi context, addressing current or emerging challenges, opportunities, or areas of development within architecture and design, and contributing to local knowledge, practice, or policy.

Evaluation Criteria

Research Excellence

This criterion assesses the clarity, relevance, and originality of the proposed research problem or question within the fields of architecture and design. It considers the strength of the research framing, the appropriateness of the proposed methodological or practice-based approach, and the extent to which the project contributes to advancing disciplinary knowledge, discourse, or practice.

Dissemination & Impact

This criterion evaluates how effectively the proposed dissemination approach aligns with the research and supports meaningful knowledge exchange. It considers the relevance of the research and its outputs to the Saudi context and the architecture and design sector, as well as the project’s potential to generate public or professional impact through exhibitions, publications, or combined dissemination pathways.

Feasibility & Project Coherence

This criterion assesses the overall viability of the project, including the clarity of the proposed plan, the realism of the timeline, and the appropriateness of the requested budget. It also considers the capacity of the applicant or project team to deliver the research and its intended outputs within the grant period.

Follow these steps to ensure your application is complete and aligned with the program requirements:

01

Read the Application Guide

Begin by reviewing the Application Guide, which outlines the eligibility criteria, evaluation process, funding scope, and detailed instructions for completing your submission.

Download Application Guide
→
02

Fill in the Required Templates

After reviewing the guide, complete the following templates to support your application:

  • Financial Plan Template – Provide a clear breakdown of your project’s budget and justify the requested funding.
  • Project Timeline Template – Outline the key phases, milestones, and expected deliverables of your research.
Download Financial Plan Template
→
Download Project Timeline Template
→
03

Submit Your Application via the Online Portal

Once you have reviewed the guide and completed the required templates, proceed to fill in the application form through the online portal. Be sure to allow sufficient time to complete the form carefully and upload all supporting documents before submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered

Apply for Grants

Application Opens at March 2026

Application Closes at June 2026

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

The Architecture and Design Grant supports original research across architecture and design disciplines, as well as the dissemination of research outcomes. The grant is designed to support different stages of the research lifecycle, from research development and investigation through to dissemination via publications and exhibitions.

Applicants should select the dissemination pathway that best aligns with the nature, maturity, and objectives of their research. Projects may focus on research development with dissemination at a later stage, or on translating completed or advanced research into public, professional, or scholarly outputs. The chosen pathway should be clearly justified and aligned with the proposed outcomes.

Yes. Proposals may combine more than one dissemination pathway, provided they clearly articulate the relationship between the research and the proposed outputs, and demonstrate feasibility in terms of scope, timeline, and budget.

Applicants may apply at different stages of the research process, including early conceptual, advanced, or dissemination-ready stages. Regardless of the entry point, the grant supports the remaining research and dissemination activities, ensuring that all projects are completed and translated into public, professional, or scholarly outputs.

Yes. Collaboration is encouraged across disciplines, institutions, and geographies. Applicants may collaborate with local or international researchers, provided the lead applicant meets the eligibility criteria and the proposed research demonstrates relevance to Saudi Arabia’s architecture and design ecosystem.

Yes. Each applicant may submit up to five applications in total. Each application must correspond to a distinct research project or research output and be submitted separately.

There is no fixed funding cap at this stage. Requested budgets should be appropriate to the scope, objectives, and duration of the proposed project and must align with the eligible expense categories outlined in the applicant guidelines.

Applications may be submitted in Arabic or English. Once a language is selected, the entire application must be completed consistently in that language, including all supporting materials, in accordance with the application guidelines.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, detailed feedback cannot be guaranteed. Where possible, applicants may receive general review comments following the evaluation process.

Terms & Conditions

  • Applications are open to individuals and research groups, with the Principal Investigator responsible for submitting the application through the designated platform in accordance with the specified requirements.
  • Proposals must be original, not previously published in whole or in part, and must adhere to a unified academic style of writing and referencing.
  • The applicant must ensure that the submission complies with all applicable rights, regulations, laws, and local and international legislation, and that it does not include any violations or encourage breaches thereof.
  • The applicant affirms that all submitted materials do not infringe upon intellectual property rights or any rights of third parties.
  • The applicant bears full legal responsibility in the event of any violations or infringements related to intellectual property or applicable regulations.
  • The Architecture & Design Commission is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of information provided throughout the evaluation and implementation period.
  • Researchers or research teams are entitled to publish their results in peer-reviewed academic outlets, provided that acknowledgment of support from the Architecture & Design Commission is clearly stated.
  • The Architecture & Design Commission reserves the right to archive all submitted files and research attachments.
  • The Architecture & Design Commission reserves the right to disqualify any applicant at its sole discretion, as it deems appropriate.
  • The Architecture & Design Commission reserves the right to amend or update these terms and conditions at any time, with due notice provided to beneficiaries, and applicants are required to regularly follow official communications from the Authority.

Contact Us

For any questions or further information, please contact us at: ADRG@moc.gov.sa

Our support team is available to assist you with any inquiries regarding the conference, submissions, and registration process

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