Deadline: 21-Nov-2025
In a landmark move, the British Embassy in Doha has announced a major funding initiative under the Gulf Strategy Fund, aimed at catalyzing artificial intelligence (AI) innovations in healthcare. As the sun set behind the skyscrapers of West Bay, representatives from the UK and Qatar gathered at the embassies, igniting a future where technology aims to enhance health outcomes and patient experiences across borders. Their vision sees the potential of AI not as a mere supplement but as a transformative element of modern healthcare.
Overview
The British Embassy’s call for proposals for Phase II of the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) represents a shift from theoretical groundwork to actionable pilot projects. Offering funding between £50,000 and £80,000, the initiative underscores a commitment to fostering collaboration between UK and Qatari institutions, ensuring that safety, ethics, and innovation steer their joint future in healthcare technology.
What This Funding Call Focuses On
This second phase builds upon insights and themes identified during Phase I, urging participants to transition from strategy to tangible outcomes. By addressing a series of crucial themes, the initiative hopes to deliver practical results while upholding the highest standards. Key project themes include:
- AI regulation, ethics, and safety in healthcare
- Patient impact–driven pilot projects
- Data governance, interoperability, and advanced analytics
- Emerging AI domains: large language models (LLMs), genomics, and precision medicine
- Scalable digital health solutions leveraging UK–Qatar institutional partnerships
Why This Call Matters
This initiative is more than a funding opportunity; it is a strategic move to deepen the ties between two burgeoning AI research ecosystems. Dr. Amina El-Fahim, a leading researcher in AI ethics at the University of Qatar, asserts, “AI holds the promise of revolutionizing healthcare, but we must navigate the ethical complexities with care. This funding call allows us to not only innovate but to do so responsibly.”
By enabling real-world pilots, the call aims to:
- Accelerate AI adoption in healthcare systems
- Build shared innovation capacity in high-impact medical technologies
- Improve patient outcomes through data-driven solutions
- Support ethical, transparent, and safe AI deployment
- Lay the foundation for multi-year collaborations beyond 2026
Who Is Eligible?
The eligibility criteria for applicants are designed to ensure a robust and impactful selection process. Potential lead applicants include:
- Non-profit organizations
- NGOs
- Government bodies
- UK- or Qatar-based institutions
- Entities with established records in AI and healthcare
Successful applications will demonstrate:
- Proven UK–Qatar institutional partnerships
- Capability to manage budgets, data governance, and ethical frameworks
- Experience in delivering applied research or healthcare innovation
- Clear monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) structures
- A realistic plan for achieving results by June 2026
Funding Details
- Grant size: £50,000–£80,000
- Delivery deadline: June 2026
- Programme: Gulf Strategy Fund (Phase II)
- Focus: Applied AI in healthcare and cross-sector collaboration
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Identify a UK–Qatar partnership
Secure a committed partner institution that aligns with research, innovation, or policy priorities. - Develop a healthcare-focused AI pilot
Ensure your project is realistic, measurable, and capable of producing tangible outcomes. - Demonstrate ethical and data governance readiness
Address safety, risk, and responsible AI principles in your proposal. - Prepare a comprehensive MEL plan
Show how you will monitor progress, evaluate results, and adjust implementation. - Submit a value-for-money proposal
Clearly justify the budget, scalability potential, and long-term impact. - Ensure June 2026 delivery
Define milestones and timelines that guarantee completion within the funding period.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Vague or conceptual proposals with no real implementation plan
- Weak UK–Qatar partnerships lacking institutional commitment
- Insufficient focus on ethics and data governance
- Unrealistic timelines that cannot meet the June 2026 deadline
- No clear metrics or outcome indicators
FAQs
1. What is the main objective of Phase II?
To support real-world AI healthcare pilots that demonstrate measurable impact and deepen UK–Qatar collaboration.
2. Can private companies apply?
Private companies may participate as partners but the lead applicant must be a non-profit, NGO, or government entity.
3. Are multi-year projects allowed?
Projects must deliver results by June 2026, but strong pilots may lead to multi-year extensions under future GSF rounds.
4. What types of healthcare AI projects are prioritized?
Projects addressing regulation, safety, LLMs, genomics, precision medicine, data governance, and measurable patient benefit.
5. Do applicants need prior UK–Qatar collaboration experience?
Not required, but strongly preferred and weighted in evaluation.
6. Are monitoring and evaluation plans mandatory?
Yes, strong MEL frameworks are essential for selection.
7. Can proposals exceed £80,000?
No, proposals must stay within the £50,000–£80,000 funding limits.
As the deadline for applications approaches, the potential this initiative holds cannot be overstated. With the right partnerships and a commitment to ethical standards, the UK and Qatar stand at the precipice of a healthcare revolution, one that may redefine how nations collaborate in the face of global challenges. The narrative is not just about securing funding; it’s about building a bridge to a healthier future for both populations, one pilot project at a time.
Source: www2.fundsforngos.org
