Oman launches second phase of innovation support program for higher education
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Oman's Research and Innovation Authority will open registration for the second edition of the Innovation Centres Support Programme next Wednesday.
- The program aims to establish new innovation centers, empower existing ones, and enhance their services to foster entrepreneurship and boost the Sultanate's global innovation standing.
- Funding is available through two tracks: Establishment (up to OMR400,000) and Empowerment (up to OMR100,000), with the first edition supporting five institutions.
Oman's Research and Innovation Authority is launching the second edition of its Innovation Centres Support Programme next Wednesday, aiming to bolster entrepreneurship and elevate the Sultanate's global competitiveness. The program targets public and private higher education institutions, inviting them to submit applications electronically.
The Innovation Centres Support Programme is designed to establish new innovation centres, empower existing ones, and enhance the services they offer to innovators.
The initiative is designed to establish new innovation centers, empower existing ones, and enhance their services. Najah Mohammed Al Rashdi, Acting Director General of the Innovation Centre, explained that the program seeks to enrich the national economy with startups, develop competitive products, and transform higher education institutions into entrepreneurial entities. This aligns with the "Oman 2040" Vision, which emphasizes investing in knowledge and fostering innovation.
Funding is provided through two main tracks, covering up to 50% of approved costs. The Establishment Track offers up to OMR400,000 for creating new centers, while the Empowerment Track provides up to OMR100,000 for upgrading existing ones. The program's first edition successfully supported three institutions under the Empowerment Track and two under the Establishment Track, demonstrating the Authority's commitment to strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
The Authority aims to enrich the national economy with innovation-driven startups by developing competitive innovative products and services.
Applicant institutions must be licensed in Oman, possess the financial capacity for co-funding, and have a clear policy for protecting innovators' intellectual property rights. The registration window will remain open until September 1st.
The programme offers joint financial and technical support distributed across two main tracks, covering up to 50% of the total approved cost.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Times of Oman in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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