Doha International Family Institute

What Doha International Family Institute does

Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) is a non-profit policy and advocacy institute established in 2006 and headquartered in Doha, Qatar within Qatar Foundation's Education City campus. It is the only dedicated global policy institute focused exclusively on Arab families, holding Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and operating under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. DIFI's mission is to advance knowledge on Arab families and promote evidence-based family policies at national, regional, and international levels.

DIFI's core offerings are intellectual and programmatic rather than commercial. These include: a research and reports portfolio of over 40 publications plus 8+ policy briefs; the peer-reviewed DIFI Journal published via QScience; the OSRA Research Grant program (Cycle 7 deadline January 2026) that funds external researchers globally with a mandatory Arab-country Lead PI requirement; the Tansheea national parenting program delivered in Qatari schools with the Ministry of Education and being readied for regional replication (Iraq); and the recently launched Kanaf Parenting Center. The institute also develops measurement instruments — Family Cohesion and Well-being Scales — that are positioned as novel methodological contributions to Arab family research. Underlying technology is conventional: a bilingual (English/Arabic) WordPress website, the Fluxx grants administration portal, email newsletters, social media channels, and event/conference platforms including the IYF+30 microsite.

DIFI's revenue model is institutional, not commercial. It is funded primarily through Qatar Foundation's institutional budget as a member institute, with no commercial pricing applied to outputs — research, briefs, conferences, and grant administration are provided free of charge to eligible participants. Customers and partners span governments and policymakers (Qatar ministries of Social Development and Family, Education, Public Health, Communications and IT, plus the National Planning Council), UN agencies (UN DESA, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women), regional bodies (Arab League, OIC), academic institutions (HBKU, Qatar University/SESRI), and civil society (Qatar Charity, QBWA, KADEM, Arab Council for Childhood). The institute runs an event-driven and community-led go-to-market model anchored on flagship international conferences and the OSRA grant community.

Name

Doha International Family Institute

Legal name

Doha International Family Institute

Website

https://difi.org.qa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) is a Qatar Foundation–affiliated, UN ECOSOC–accredited policy and research institute dedicated to advancing evidence-based family policy for Arab societies through research, the OSRA grant program, applied programs, and global convening.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Social Development Advisory

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), International Affairs (9721), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK)

Keywords

• Family policy research
• Arab family studies
• Social policy advocacy
• Research grant administration
• International conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Qatar Foundation Core Funding: As a member institute of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, DIFI is primarily funded through Qatar Foundation's institutional budget. No commercial revenue model is disclosed.
2. Research Grants Administration: DIFI administers the OSRA Research Grant program, which funds external researchers. Grant management is handled through a dedicated grants portal. Revenue here refers to program administration rather than commercial income.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DIFI conducts and publishes policy-oriented research on Arab families, administers research grants through the OSRA program, organizes international conferences and expert meetings, and implements national programs such as the Tansheea parenting intervention in Qatari schools. Its core deliverables are research reports, policy briefs, a peer-reviewed journal, conferences, grant funding, and scientific measurement tools (family cohesion and well-being scales) delivered to governments, UN agencies, and academic institutions.

Product overview

DIFI (Doha International Family Institute) is a global policy and advocacy institute focused on advancing knowledge on Arab families and promoting evidence-based family policies. The organization operates as a research and advocacy center rather than a technology product company. Its portfolio consists primarily of intellectual products and programs including research publications and reports, the OSRA Research Grant funding program, academic journals, newsletters, conferences and events, school-based intervention programs like Tansheea, and the IYF+30 Conference platform. These offerings work together to fulfill DIFI's mission of family advocacy, policy development, and knowledge exchange at national, regional, and international levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OSRA Research Grant: DIFI's research grant program supporting innovative research on Arab family issues worldwide

Products and services

• DIFI Research & Reports Research reports, policy briefs, journal articles, and proceedings on Arab family studies covering family cohesion, fertility, population dynamics, marriage, divorce, parenting, and family well-being. Intended for policymakers, UN agencies, academics, and civil society.
• OSRA Research Grant A research grant program supporting innovative fundamental and applied research addressing Arab family realities globally, with thematic tracks on policies, programs, measures/indicators, and theoretical frameworks. Open to researchers with at least one Lead PI from an Arab country.
• DIFI Journal An academic peer-reviewed journal published in partnership with Qatar Science Publishing House (QScience), featuring family studies and policy analysis for an academic and policy audience.
• DIFI Events & Conferences International conferences, seminars, panel discussions, and expert group meetings on family-related topics, including the IYF+30 Conference marking the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. Targeted at policymakers, UN agencies, academics, and civil society.
• DIFI Newsletters Periodic bilingual newsletters providing updates on DIFI activities, research findings, and family policy discussions, distributed in English and Arabic to subscribers and stakeholders.
• Tansheea National Parenting Program A national evidence-based parenting intervention program implemented in Qatari schools in collaboration with Qatar's Ministry of Education to promote positive behaviors and neutralize risk factors among students, with potential for regional replication.
• Parenting Center (Kanaf) A parenting support center providing resources and programs for parents, aimed at strengthening family stability and parental empowerment in Qatar.

Quantifiable outcome

• 205 past events organized since inception, including major international conferences
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Planning Council (NPC) — QatarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2026NPC and DIFI signed an MoU in Doha to collaborate on research in demographic and social issues including family well-being, fertility, and population growth. The partnership aims to exchange expertise and support evidence-based policymaking aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. Includes joint projects, training programs, and data exchange.
• Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF)coreOthersDIFI is a member institute of Qatar Foundation. As part of QF, DIFI contributes to the Foundation's mission of fostering healthy, educated societies underpinned by strong cohesive families in Qatar and the region. QF provides institutional support and strategic direction.
• Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBKU is listed as a DIFI partner. Collaboration likely involves academic research, hosting of DIFI events (e.g., expert group meetings at HBKU's Minaretein center), and joint scholarly activities.
• Qatar UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQatar University is listed as a DIFI partner, with the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at QU identified as a specific research collaboration entity.
• UN DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIFI collaborates with UN DESA on family policy and sustainable development. DIFI participated in UN DESA-organized events including the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, and the IYF+30 conference was organized in cooperation with UN DESA's Division for Social Policy and Development.
• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNFPA is a key DIFI partner, collaborating on population dynamics, fertility research, and family policy. UNFPA's Regional Director for Arab States has participated in DIFI events and the partnership includes joint research on demographic trends affecting Arab families.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIFI has collaborated with UNICEF MENARO on conferences and programs related to parenting, child well-being, and family support. UNICEF representatives have participated in DIFI events.
• Qatar CharitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQatar Charity is listed as a DIFI partner. Collaboration involves social and family welfare initiatives, particularly in the context of Qatar's civil society ecosystem.
• Ministry of Social Development and Family — QatarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Social Development and Family is a key national partner for DIFI, collaborating on family policy development, the national family strategy, and Qatar's participation in international family policy forums.
• Ministry of Education — QatarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Education and Qatar's schools collaborate with DIFI on the Tansheea (تنشئة) national parenting program, implementing the evidence-based intervention through school-based specialists.
• Qatar Red Crescent SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a DIFI partner, likely collaborating on humanitarian and social welfare initiatives related to family protection and support.
• Ministry of Public Health — QatarmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Public Health collaborates with DIFI on health-related family issues, including research on population health, family well-being indicators, and public health policy.
• Ministry of Communications and Information Technology — QatarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry participated in the IYF+30 conference, collaborating with DIFI on digital transformation and its impact on families.
• Arab LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arab League is a DIFI partner, collaborating on regional policy harmonization and joint Arab family policy initiatives including the Arab Council for Childhood.
• Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOIC is listed as a DIFI partner, working on family policy within the broader Islamic world context.
• UNDESA (UN Division for Social Policy and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDESA's Division for Social Policy and Development is a key DIFI partner, co-organizing the IYF+30 conference and supporting DIFI's engagement with the UN system on family policy.
• KADEM (Kadın Enstitüsü Derneği)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKADEM (Women's Academy) is a Turkish organization listed as a DIFI partner, likely collaborating on women's rights and family policy.
• Arab Council for ChildhoodmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arab Council for Childhood is a DIFI partner, collaborating on child protection, parenting programs, and child well-being research.
• Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDIFI and QBWA met in October 2025 to strengthen collaboration on social and family welfare projects aligned with Qatar Vision 2030, including research, policy development, and women's empowerment.
• Doha Center for, Transitional Justice and Human Rights (DAAM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a DIFI partner, collaborating on human rights and social justice issues affecting families.
• General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) — QatarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSDP (now part of NPC) collaborated with DIFI on high-level policy dialogues regarding population dynamics and the Arab family, and on organizing international research seminars leading to edited books.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• World Family Organization (WFO): International organization dedicated to family issues worldwide, with consultative status at ECOSOC — closely comparable to DIFI in family-focused policy advocacy and global convening on family well-being.
• Population Council: Global non-profit research organization conducting social science, health, and demographic research with a strong focus on family, fertility, gender and population dynamics — directly comparable to DIFI in mission, methodology and policy-oriented research output.
• International Federation for Family Development (IFFD): International non-profit focused on family policy, family well-being indicators and parenting support, with consultative status at the UN and the Council of Europe — closely comparable to DIFI's family policy advocacy and indicator development.

Emerging players

• International Center for Research on Women (ICRW): Global research organization focused on gender equity, family well-being and social development — comparable in research-driven advocacy and policy translation on family and women's issues.

Regional players

• Arab Thought Foundation: Regional think tank focused on Arab socio-economic and cultural research and policy development — comparable in Arab-focused policy research positioning, with overlapping themes on family and social development.
• Centre for Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR): Tunis-based regional research and training centre focused on Arab women's status, family and social policy — directly comparable in geographic focus and policy advocacy orientation, with overlap on family welfare research themes.

Others

• Gulf Center for Social Development (under Gulf Cooperation Council): Regional GCC-affiliated body addressing social development and family welfare across Gulf states — comparable on family welfare and policy themes in the same geographic zone as DIFI's regional outreach.
• Hamad Bin Khalifa University — Research Centers: HBKU is a Qatar Foundation university hosting research institutes and collaborating with DIFI on expert group meetings and scholarly activities — sister institution within the same Qatar Foundation ecosystem with thematic overlap on social research.

Broad incumbents

• UNICEF Office of Research — Innocenti: UNICEF's dedicated research office producing global research on child well-being, parenting and family policies — comparable in research depth and policy orientation, though broader in scope than DIFI's Arab-family mandate.
• UNFPA Arab States Regional Office: UN agency addressing population dynamics, fertility, family and reproductive health across the Arab region — directly comparable regional mandate and a key current partner of DIFI, but operating as a UN entity rather than a research institute.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DIFI_Qatar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DohaIFI
• Facebookfacebook.com/DIFIQatar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/difi-a-qatar-foundation-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/difi_qatar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Doha International Family Institute