-Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali: Research is the backbone of any successful national strategy to achieve sustainable water security 

In support of research excellence and academic and intellectual creativity, TRENDS Research & Advisory has announced the opening of nominations for the third edition of the TRENDS Hub Award for Scientific Research. In its new cycle, the award seeks to encourage regional and global academics and researchers to conduct innovative, impactful, and original scientific research within the framework of sustainable water security. 

Nominations for the current edition will remain open until June 30, 2026, while the winners will be announced and the awards will be presented on September 9, 2026. The third edition of the award features five diverse themes: Sustainable water security from the perspective of Modern Media, Sustainable Water Security in the Context of Climate Change, Sustainable Water Security from an Artificial Intelligence Perspective, Sustainable Water Security and International Treaties and Legislations, and Sustainable Water Security from a National Strategies Perspective. 

A Global Strategic Issue 

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, stated that sustainable water security represents one of the most critical global strategic issues of the twenty-first century, as it directly affects the foundations of life, food security, energy, development, and even the national security of states, as well as the stability of societies and communities. 

Dr. Al-Ali further noted that, according to a recent United Nations report, more than 2.2 billion people lacked access to clean and safe drinking water in 2024, while 50 percent of the world’s population experiences water scarcity at least once per month. This reality confirms that the water issue has become a top priority on the global agenda, given its central role in sustaining life, industry, and economic development. 

Analytical Insights 

Dr. Al-Ali emphasized that research constitutes the backbone of any successful national strategy aimed at achieving sustainable water security. This conviction motivated the organizers of the TRENDS Hub Award for Scientific Research to dedicate the third edition to analyzing sustainable water security from five distinct perspectives, including modern media, climate change, artificial intelligence, and national strategies. 

He explained that dedicating the new cycle to this topic aims to encourage researchers to present scientific and analytical perspectives that may help countries and societies achieve sustainable water security amid the numerous crises and challenges surrounding this vital resource. 

Winners Announcement 

Fahad Al-Mahri, Senior Researcher and Head of the TRENDS Dubai Sector, confirmed that nominations for the third edition of the award will continue to be accepted until June 30, 2026, with the winners to be announced and the awards presented on September 9, 2026. He added that submissions will be accepted in both Arabic and English, provided the research papers do not exceed 6,000 words in Arabic or 5,000 words in English. 

Al-Mahri explained that the launch of the TRENDS Hub Award for Scientific Research stems from TRENDS’ belief that honoring researchers who achieve significant progress across various scientific fields is not merely an acknowledgment of their accomplishments but also a source of inspiration that encourages continued excellence, innovation, and scientific creativity. 

He noted that the award’s organizing committee has established several eligibility criteria, including that applicants must hold an advanced academic qualification in the relevant field of study and that the research paper must be prepared individually. Submissions must meet the academic standards approved by TRENDS and must represent original, recent work that has not been translated, published, or submitted for publication elsewhere. Research papers must also be written in correct Arabic or English, rely on accurate citation practices, and rely on reliable sources and references. 

TRENDS Hub Awards 

The top three research papers, selected from among all submissions across the five themes of the third edition, will receive awards. Winners will be granted a Certificate of Appreciation, along with a financial incentive prize of USD 5,000 for first place, USD 3,000 for second place, and USD 2,000 for third place. 

The winning research papers will also be published on TRENDS’s official electronic platforms, and the award recipients will be given the opportunity to apply for a research fellowship at TRENDS Research and Advisory.