The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the winners of the fifth edition of its Research Grants Programme, which supports high-quality research projects that promote the Arabic language and encourages researchers to develop innovative proposals across various creative disciplines.

This year’s list of winning projects features seven works, submitted by experts from five Arab countries and covering the fields of Arabic Lexicon, Literature and Criticism, and Editing of Manuscripts. Overall, the 2025 edition received a total of 516 submissions from 36 countries, with Egypt recording the highest number. These figures reflect a significant increase in applications and a wider geographic reach for the programme compared to previous editions.

In the Arabic Lexicon category, three projects were awarded: ‘Arabic-English Dictionary of Collocations’ by researcher Ramadan Mohamed Ahmed Bakhit from Egypt; ‘Dictionary of Arabic Treasures in the French Language: From the Middle Ages to the Present Day’ by novelist Dr. Shaker Noori from Iraq; and ‘Dictionary of Postmodern Narrative’ by literary critic Dr. Ahmed Khreis from Jordan.

The awarded projects in the Literature and Criticism category were ‘The Arabs’ Discovery of Japan: From the Russo-Japanese War to World War II’ by Dr. Reem Ahmed from Egypt, Professor of Political Science at Takushoku University in Japan, and ‘The Dream, The Prison, and the Dark Room’ by Dr. Lina Al-Jamal from Lebanon, Lecturer at the University of Toronto.

In the Editing of Manuscripts category, two projects were awarded: ‘The Celestial Star in the French Conquest’, edited by author and researcher Sheherazade Al-Arabi from Algeria, and ‘A New Edition of One Hundred and One Nights: Study and Editing’ by Dr. Haitham Mahmoud Sharkawi, Associate Professor at South Valley University in Qena, Egypt.

His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “Through its Research Grants Programme, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre strives to support the efforts of authors and researchers specialising in the Arabic language and science, encouraging them to make further contributions in Arabic across all fields of knowledge that the programme supports. This, in turn, drives efforts to advance Arabic-language scientific content and reinforce Arabic as a language of culture, knowledge, and creativity.”

“The increase in submissions and countries participating this year reflects the programme’s significant growth,” H.E. bin Tamim added. “Similarly, the growing interest from authors and researchers highlights the programme’s value. The winners in this edition have produced important works that reveal the richness of the Arab research community and the wealth of insight, culture, and engagement it has to offer, further underscoring the importance of initiatives like the Research Grants Programme in promoting Arabic-language research.”

The programme witnessed intense competition this year, with a notable increase in the quality and quantity of submissions, reflecting its growing impact in Arab and international academic and cultural circles, as well as its active role in advancing the Arabic language. This year’s figures significantly surpass last year’s, which saw 270 applications from 31 countries. This growth highlights the ALC’s strategic vision and ongoing efforts to strengthen the Arabic language and foster innovation, authorship, and scientific research in the region and around the world.