The Architecture and Design Commission is inviting applications for a grant programme that supports original research and the dissemination of research outcomes across architecture and design disciplines in Saudi Arabia.
The Architecture and Design Grants support the full research lifecycle, from development and investigation through to dissemination. According to the official programme page, the grants are designed to help research progress into publications, exhibitions and other knowledge formats, extending its long-term impact across the sector.
The programme forms part of the Commission’s research agenda and is intended to support locally grounded work that responds to Saudi Arabia’s architecture and design context while contributing to wider research and professional discourse. Its objectives include advancing research linked to national priorities, increasing the visibility and impact of research, and encouraging cross-disciplinary innovation.
The grants are open to researchers, practitioners and educators in the fields of architecture and design seeking support for research and knowledge dissemination. Applicants must demonstrate the academic or professional capacity to undertake research in the field. Eligible applicants include those holding a Master’s or PhD, or a Bachelor’s degree supported by demonstrated research capability and a proven record of publications or research outputs. Applicants must be Saudi nationals or residents, while non-Saudis may apply as part of a team provided at least one team member is Saudi.
Proposals must be clearly situated within architecture and design and should engage with the Saudi context, including current or emerging challenges, opportunities or areas of development. The programme supports projects at different stages of the research process, from early conceptual work to advanced or dissemination-ready stages. Applicants may choose publication dissemination, exhibition dissemination, or a combination of both, provided the relationship between the research and its outputs is clearly articulated and feasible in scope, timeline and budget.
Applications will be evaluated based on research excellence, dissemination and impact, and feasibility and project coherence. Applicants are required to review the application guide, complete the financial plan and project timeline templates, and submit their application through the online portal. Each applicant may submit up to five applications, provided each one relates to a distinct research project or research output. Applications may be submitted in Arabic or English, but each application must be completed consistently in one language.
Applications opened in March 2026 and close on 30 June 2026.
