Abu Dhabi-UAE: 14 December, 2022 – The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) hosted the 6th edition of the ‘Rain Enhancement Hub’ webinar series to discuss the targeted research areas of the program’s Fifth Cycle, and to provide potential applicants of researchers and experts from across the globe with a detailed roadmap to submit their innovative research proposals in rain enhancement and cloud formation.
Titled ‘UAEREP’s 5th Cycle: Overview & Targeted Research Areas’, the webinar, live streamed on UAEREP’s official social media channels, highlighted the application process, submission timelines and evaluation methods including the required Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of the project’s deliverables.

The virtual session was led by the key members of UAEREP’s Strategic Direction committee (SDC) including Dr. Deon Terblanche, Weather and Climate Consultant at World Bank, Dr. Richard A. Behnke, President, SciencePrime LLC, Dr. Robert Robinson, Chief Scientist, Science Prime, LLC, and Dr. Steve Griffiths, Senior Vice President for Research and Development, Khalifa University.
Commenting on the event, His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of NCM and President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said: “The Rain Enhancement Hub webinar series highlights NCM’s prominent role in facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge and expertise in rain enhancement research to support the scientific community in their efforts to develop new solutions and efficient strategies to enhance global water security and ensure the sustainability of water resources.”

Al Mandous added: “The confidence placed by the international community in NCM and its pioneering research program inspires us to continue the cutting-edge research efforts we have undertaken over the program’s past four cycles. The Fifth Cycle will offer scientists and researchers the opportunity to build on the program’s progress and achievements to date, while developing new solutions and tools that will help us preserve our precious water resources from the consequences of climate change, drought and extreme natural phenomena.”
During the webinar, Dr. Deon Terblanche discussed the background of UAEREP’s past projects and linkages to Cycle 5’s targeted research areas that will focus on enhancing cloud formation and rain enhancement, among other related research areas. 
Dr. Richard Behnke and Dr. Robert Robinson offered a detailed overview of the application process for the Fifth Cycle, submission timeline, evaluation and review process, and general guidelines and other important information that applicants need to be aware of while submitting their research proposals.

Meanwhile, Dr. Steve Griffiths outlined the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) definitions and expected progression for project deliverables that will be taken into account while evaluating the research proposals.

For her part, Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAEREP, said: “In UAEREP’s Fifth Cycle, we look forward to welcoming innovative project proposals that can significantly contribute to the advancement of rain enhancement science and technology. In addition to discussing the latest developments in rain enhancement, we aimed through hosting the sixth edition of this webinar series to highlight the key deliverables of the program’s past cycles to allow scientists and researchers to build on the program’s achievements to date, while gaining an understanding of the new targeted research areas. This will allow us to explore new scientific concepts in this vital research domain through harnessing innovation and technology to achieve water security, not only for the UAE, but also for communities living in arid and semi-arid regions of the world.”

NCM organizes the ‘Rain Enhancement Hub’ webinar series through UAEREP to provide the research community with an interactive virtual platform to discuss the latest issues in rain enhancement and weather modification. Drawing the participation of top experts, scientists and researchers, these sessions include interactive presentations to facilitate knowledge sharing and provide the general public with valuable insight into the crucial role of rain enhancement and weather modification technologies in achieving global water security.