UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science

What UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science does

UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) is an international research grant initiative launched in 2015 by the UAE's National Center of Meteorology (NCM), headquartered in Abu Dhabi. The program funds competitive scientific research aimed at advancing rain enhancement, cloud seeding, and weather modification technologies to address water security in arid and semi-arid regions globally. UAEREP operates through six award cycles, with each awarded project receiving up to $1.5 million in grant funding distributed over three years. The program has funded 14 projects across nine countries and supported 208 researchers from a global network spanning 80+ countries, 800+ research institutions, and 3,700+ stakeholders.

The program operates a portfolio of research and operational infrastructure including the Weather Enhancement Technology (WET) Factory producing 20,000-24,000 cloud seeding flares annually (hygroscopic, nano-material, and ground generator variants); the ATMOSPHERE CRAY high-performance computer for numerical weather modeling; a fleet of King Air cloud seeding aircraft flown by nine specialized pilots; and ground-based seeding generators. Innovation areas include proprietary NaCl-TiO2 nanocomposite seeding materials, laser-based rain triggering technology (Cycle 5), autonomous UAV-based seeding systems (Cycle 3), and AI-enhanced precipitation nowcasting (Cycles 4 and 6). The biennial International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) and the Rain Enhancement Hub digital platform serve as collaboration infrastructure across the global research community.

UAEREP's funding model is government appropriation through NCM, with grants awarded competitively via open solicitation and peer-reviewed by international scientists. The program's stakeholder base comprises global academic and research institutions, meteorological institutes, and individual researchers seeking grant funding and access to the UAE's unique weather modification infrastructure. Strategic partnerships include collaborations with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), NASA, NCAR, the UK Met Office, and universities in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, Finland, China, Russia, Switzerland, and the UAE.

Name

UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science

Legal name

National Center of Meteorology (NCM)

Website

https://uaerep.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) is a government-funded international research grant program under the UAE's National Center of Meteorology that awards up to $1.5M per project to global scientists advancing rain enhancement and cloud seeding science for water security.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Atmospheric Research and Cloud Seeding

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI)

Keywords

• Weather modification research
• Cloud seeding technology
• Rain enhancement science
• Atmospheric research grants
• Water security solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Grant Funding: The program provides grants of up to $1.5 million USD per research proposal, distributed over 3 years at a maximum of $550,000 per year. Funded by the UAE government through the National Center of Meteorology. Grants cover collaborative agreements with defined project periods, budgets, reporting requirements, and IP provisions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UAEREP is an international government-funded research grant program that funds, conducts, and advances scientific research on rain enhancement and cloud seeding to address water security. The program awards grants of up to $1.5 million USD per project over 3 years (maximum $550,000 per year) to research teams worldwide through six competitive award cycles. It also operates dedicated R&D infrastructure including the Weather Enhancement Technology (WET) Factory producing up to 24,000 cloud seeding flares annually, the ATMOSPHERE CRAY supercomputer, a King Air cloud seeding aircraft fleet, ground generators, and 95+ weather monitoring stations.

Product overview

The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) is an international research initiative managed by the National Center of Meteorology in the UAE. The program operates a portfolio of rain enhancement products and research infrastructure including the Weather Enhancement Technology (WET) Factory producing cloud seeding flares (hygroscopic, nano-material, and ground generator types), the ATMOSPHERE CRAY high-performance computer for numerical modeling, cloud seeding aircraft, and ground generators. The program also manages the International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) and Rain Enhancement Hub as collaborative platforms. UAEREP funds international research through competitive grant cycles (6 cycles completed), with each awardee receiving up to $1.5 million over 3 years. The research focuses on five thrust areas: enhanced seeding materials, new cloud formation systems, autonomous UAV systems, limited climate intervention, and advanced models/software/data.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Grant Program Competitive international research grant program offering up to $1.5 million USD per project over 3 years (maximum $550,000 per year) to selected research teams proposing innovative rain enhancement projects aligned with program thrust areas, including access to UAE's cloud seeding infrastructure.
• Weather Enhancement Technology (WET) Factory Advanced manufacturing facility producing high-quality cloud seeding flares at 20,000-24,000 units annually, including hygroscopic, nano-material, and ground generator flare variants for warm cloud seeding operations serving both UAE cloud seeding operations and the international weather modification market.
• Hygroscopic Cloud Seeding Flares Flares designed for warm cloud seeding operations using advanced polymer compounds to enhance water vapor condensation and increase rainfall probability, with a safe storage life of up to five years.
• Nano-Material Cloud Seeding Flares Flares incorporating nanotechnology to improve cloud seeding performance with more precise particle distribution and enhanced cloud droplet formation, made from environmentally friendly materials.
• Ground Generator Flares Flares specifically designed for ground-based targeted operations using generators, providing operational flexibility as an alternative to airborne seeding for precipitation enhancement, hail reduction, and fog dispersal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cloud seeding operations in the UAE contribute an estimated 84-419 million cubic meters of rainfall per year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• National Center of Meteorology (NCM), UAEcoreOthers · 1 January 2015The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) is the parent organization and funder of UAEREP. NCM provides the program's operational oversight, cloud seeding infrastructure (aircraft fleet, radar networks, monitoring stations), and the regulatory mandate for weather modification in the UAE. The program was launched under NCM's supervision as part of UAE's national water security strategy.
• Khalifa University, UAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKhalifa University hosts multiple UAEREP awardees including Prof. Linda Zou (Cycle 1, Cycle 6) and is the base for the KU-NCM Model Integration Project led by Dr. Diana Francis. Khalifa University provides research facilities, academic supervision, and hosts training programs for students and early-career researchers in partnership with UAEREP.
• Technology Innovation Institute (TII), UAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTII's Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) hosts Dr. Guillaume Matras' laser-based rain triggering project (Cycle 5 awardee). TII provides advanced laser research infrastructure including mobile laser laboratories, plasma research labs, and multidisciplinary engineering teams for the joint rain enhancement research initiative.
• University of Hohenheim, GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Prof. Volker Wulfmeyer, the university conducts the OCAL (Optimizing Cloud Seeding by Advanced Remote Sensing and Land Cover Modification) project. The partnership involves field campaigns in the UAE's Al Hajar Mountains using Doppler Lidar, cloud radar, and weather stations. Research has demonstrated that desert plantations can deliberately enhance rainfall.
• Meteorological Research Institute, JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Prof. Masataka Murakami, the institute conducted the Cycle 1 project on precipitation enhancement in arid and semi-arid regions, including field campaigns from Al Ain airport using a Japanese Beechcraft Kingair B200T research aircraft equipped with remote sensing instruments.
• Finnish Meteorological Institute, FinlandsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Prof. Hannele Korhonen, the OASIS project (Optimization of Aerosol Seeding In Rain Enhancement Strategies) was conducted from a mobile field laboratory in Maliha, Sharjah (2018-2019), measuring aerosol particles and cloud condensation nuclei to optimize seeding strategies.
• University of Reading, UKsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Prof. Giles Harrison, the Electrical Aspects of Rain Generation project used weather balloons, optical cloud sensors, and charge sensors at Abu Dhabi International Airport (March 2019 - January 2020) to study precipitation modification by ionization.
• University of Colorado Boulder, USAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Prof. Eric Frew, the project on Targeted Observation and Seeding using Autonomous Unmanned Aircraft Systems conducted UAV field campaigns in the UAE, exploring the use of autonomous drones for cloud seeding operations.
• Hail Suppression Research Center (HSRC), RussiasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Dr. Ali Abshaev, the project on artificial updraft creation conducted field experiments at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah (Feb 2021 - March 2022) using jet engines to inject exhaust gases and seeding materials at 3,000 meters altitude, tracked by infrared-equipped UAVs.
• HXCZ, ChinasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Dr. Lulin Xue, the UAE-NATURE project (Using Advanced Experimental-Numerical Approaches to Untangle Rain Enhancement) combined field measurements with numerical modeling to study cloud microphysics and hygroscopic seeding effects over the UAE.
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCloud seeding operations in the UAE were originally developed in collaboration with NCAR (Colorado, USA) starting in 1990. NCAR provided foundational expertise in weather modification science that shaped the UAE's operational cloud seeding program.
• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA collaborated with the UAE on cloud seeding research and development, contributing satellite data and atmospheric science expertise to enhance understanding of cloud processes over the Arabian Peninsula.
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UAE launched the 'UAE Award for Excellence in Weather Modification Science and Practice' in 2005 in collaboration with the WMO. This award was restructured in 2016 to become the UAEREP international grant program. The WMO provides international scientific legitimacy and alignment with global meteorological standards.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, USAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAEREP has partnered with Scripps to provide training and research exchange opportunities for students and early-career researchers as part of the program's capacity-building initiatives.
• University of Bern, SwitzerlandsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAEREP has partnered with University of Bern to provide training and exchange opportunities for students and researchers as part of its international capacity-building programs.
• UK Met Office, UKsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlya Al Mazroui recently managed WMO-accredited meteorological courses delivered in partnership with the UK Met Office, demonstrating ongoing collaboration in professional development and training.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Beijing Weather Modification Office: Operates China's national weather modification program, one of the world's largest cloud seeding initiatives with extensive operational aircraft fleets, flare production, and atmospheric research. Directly comparable as a sovereign-led program combining operational cloud seeding with R&D in rain enhancement and weather modification.
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR): U.S.-based atmospheric research center and UAEREP's foundational collaborator since 1990 on UAE cloud seeding operations. Operates large-scale atmospheric science programs with HPC infrastructure, field campaigns, and global modeling capability directly comparable to UAEREP's research mission.

Regional players

• Saudi Presidency of Meteorology and Environment: Saudi Arabian national meteorological authority operating cloud seeding and weather modification programs in similar arid climate conditions. Direct regional peer with comparable operational mandate and government backing.
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology: India's premier atmospheric research institute operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Conducts tropical meteorology, monsoon research, and weather modification studies relevant to UAEREP's focus on precipitation enhancement in water-stressed regions.

Broad incumbents

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): U.S. federal agency and UAEREP collaborator providing satellite data and atmospheric science expertise. Engages in cloud process research and precipitation measurement relevant to UAEREP's mission, though with vastly broader aerospace mandate.
• UK Met Office: United Kingdom's national meteorological service and a UAEREP training partner. Operates weather modification-adjacent research, numerical modeling, and atmospheric science with comparable HPC infrastructure and global research collaborations.
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration): U.S. federal science agency covering weather, climate, and atmospheric research including weather modification oversight. Comparable in atmospheric R&D mandate and HPC-based modeling capability, though broader in scope than UAEREP's grantmaking model.
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO): UN specialized agency for weather, climate, and water; collaborated with UAE to launch the original 'Emirates Award for Excellence in Weather Modification' in 2005 that became UAEREP in 2016. Provides international legitimacy and policy frameworks for weather modification science globally, comparable in mandate scope though much broader than UAEREP's grant-funding focus.

Emerging players

• Desert Research Institute (DRI): U.S.-based nonprofit research campus within the Nevada System of Higher Education focused on atmospheric, hydrologic, and climate research in arid regions. Active in cloud seeding and weather modification studies with comparable atmospheric science focus applied to water security challenges.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: University of California San Diego's atmospheric and oceanographic research center; UAEREP partner providing training and research exchange opportunities. Comparable as a research institution contributing to atmospheric science capacity building in arid and coastal climates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UAEREP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCOYbzHUvjj-uLTe6ZZlb5A
• Facebookfacebook.com/UAEREP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-uae-research-program-for-rain-enhancement-science
• Instagraminstagram.com/uaerepofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science