Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Arab Researchers Award - Applications are open till March 31 - Apply Here 

As the first Arab award concerned with scientific research and celebrating Arab researchers; The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation launched the Arab Researchers' Award in 1982, to support and highlight scientific research throughout the Arab world, and to participate in preparing and inspiring a generation of Arab researchers, experts, and specialists in various scientific fields, considering the limited capabilities of research institutions and universities.

This award is given in recognition of an outstanding scientific output whose distribution and dissemination contributes to the advancement of scientific and applied knowledge, as well as the resolution of challenges in high-priority local, regional, and global areas.

The award has six primary fields, the award's scientific committee decides on two different topics for each field annually.

Award Fields

• Medical and Health Sciences 
• Engineering and Technology Sciences
• Basic Sciences
• Humanitarian, Social and Educational Sciences
• Economics and Administration Sciences
• Water, Energy and Food Sciences

Award History

1982: The Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Young Arab Researchers launch - 4 awards each worth 4250 USD

1983:  5 awards, 4250 USD each

1984: 7 awards, 4250 USD each

1991: 9 awards, 7000 USD each

1995: 12 awards, 7000 USD each

2002: 6 awards, 10,000 USD each. Candidates age limit was increased from 40 to 45 years.

2011: 6 awards, 15,000 USD each

2013: New guidelines were set:

• No age restrictions are applied anymore.
• The Award was renamed to become “Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers”.
• The domains were confined to six basic fields.

2014: 12 awards, increasing the Award's prize to 20,000 USD

2017: 35 years of supporting the scientific efforts of our Arab Researchers   

2018: 36 years of supporting the scientific efforts of our Arab Researchers   

2019: 37 years of supporting the scientific efforts of our Arab Researchers   

2020: 38 years of supporting the scientific efforts of our Arab Researchers   

2021: 39 years of supporting the scientific efforts of our Arab Researchers   

2022: 40 years of supporting the scientific efforts of our Arab Researchers   

2023: 41 years of supporting the scientific efforts of our Arab Researchers

Award Components

The award has neutrality and credibility among Arab researchers, as well as a positive reputation in Arab academic circles, with each winner receiving a $20,000 prize.

Award Committee

His Excellency Prof. Dr. Labib Khadra - Chairman

Experienced academic with a history working in the education management industry. Skilled in strategic planning, research, leadership, and project management. Professor of electrical engineering, founding president of the German Jordanian university 2004 – 2013 and founding president of the crown prince al Hussein technical university 2016 – 2020, as well as former minister of higher education in Jordan 2015.
Embarking on his academic career with a DAAD scholarship at RWTH Aachen, Dr. Khadra obtained his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. He has held various roles at distinguished institutions in the USA, Germany, and Norway, cultivating a robust international perspective. As Jordan's Minister of Higher Education, appointed by King Abdallah II, his primary focus was to align education with the business sector and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution's challenges.
Under Dr. Khadra’s leadership, the German Jordanian University prioritized practical applications and required students to spend a year abroad in Germany. At Al Hussein Technical University, Dr. Khadra introduced a transformative educational model that emphasized applied STEM education, interdisciplinary work-based learning, and essential future skills development.
Among Dr. Khadra's notable achievements is the establishment of Jordan's first university incubator in 2002, creating numerous internship opportunities. He has received prestigious awards for his exceptional contributions, including the Order of Merit from King Abdullah II, the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service, and the Hijjawi Scientific Foundation.
 

• His Excellency Prof. Saeb Khresat - Member

In 1993, he attended New Mexico State University in the United States to complete his doctoral studies in Natural Resource Management. Between the years 2018 and 2021, he presided over the Jordan University of Science and Technology in the role of President. Between the years 2015 and 2021, he will serve as a member of the Inter-governmental Technical Panel on Soils (FAO) in his capacity as an international expert. His region of responsibility will be the Middle East. Between the years of 2008 and 2010, he was also employed by the Higher Council for Science and Technology in the capacity of Adviser for the Agriculture and Water Sector.
His experience in the fields of soil Genesis and classification studies, drought, desertification, sustainable land management, and food security spans more than 30 years. He is the author of over fifty articles and scientific papers that have been published. In addition to the many articles and lectures that have been presented at various conferences, forums, and workshops both domestically and internationally.

• His Excellency Prof. Wael Masarweh - Member

Prof. Wael Massarweh holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, USA, 1992. Between 1992 and 2000, Wael was an assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Jordan University of Science & Technology. During this period, he served as a consultant to several industrial establishments. In the year 2000, Wael joined Nuqul Group, Jordan, as a General Manager of their Aluminum extrusion operation and later became the COO of the group. He was responsible for operations in six different countries. After leaving Nuqul Group, Wael took leadership positions at several industrial organizations.
Duties included strategy development, operational turnaround, and market development. Recently, he has consulted with several industrial organizations regarding issues related to strategy and operations. Currently, Wael is responsible for Investment Promotion and development at the Economic Department at the Royal Hashemite Court.   Wael maintains working relationships with several universities and occasionally serves on committees, and teaches industrial engineering courses at a number of Jordanian universities.

• Her Excellency Prof. Hanan Malkawi - Member

Prof. Hanan I. Malkawi received a competitive scholarship from Yarmouk University (YU) in Jordan to complete her M.Sc. in Bacteriology & Public Health and PhD in Microbiology & Molecular Biology at Washington State University. Jordanian professor.
She studies nanotechnology, biotechnology, and microbiology. Her projects are higher education, international education, and private-sector academia.
Biotechnology and nanotechnology in medicine, environment, agriculture, food, and industry earned her "The King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein Medal for Excellence Second Degree" on May 25, 2022.
She has 75 international peer-reviewed scientific papers and patents. Prof. Malkawi has addressed 130 international conferences,  workshops, and congress steering/organizing committees. $15 million research grants.

She founded international centers, scientific  programs, research initiatives, and community services. Prof. Hanan guides and introduces young scientists and entrepreneurs to society and organizations. She joins national, regional, and international committees, associations, and organizations. Arab Science & Technology Foundation and German Jordanian University are her trustees. She was chair of the Academic Committee and board member of the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund/Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research/Jordan, a trustee of Al Al-Bayt University-Jordan, and an EU Higher Education Reform Expert (HEREs). Prof. Malkawi was Vice President for Research & International Relations, Dean of Scientific Research & Graduate Studies, Director of UNESCO Chair for Desert Studies, Director of Foreign Projects Management Unit, Director of Center of Excellence for Jordanian Public University Libraries, Vice-Dean, and Assistant Dean of Faculty of Sciences at Yarmouk University. She was Royal Scientific Society-Jordan Science Engagement Vice President. Dubai-based "Hamdan Bin Mohammad Smart University" research and doctoral studies dean.

• Her Excellency Prof. Tahrir Hamdi - Member

Dr. Tahrir a professor of anti-colonial and resistance literature and currently Rector at Arab Open University/Jordan. I published a new book called Imagining Palestine: Cultures of Exile and National Identity (Bloomsbury, Dec. 2022-January 2023). I have also published research articles in reputable international journals, such as Ariel: A Review of International English Literature, Race & Class, Interventions: The International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, Journal of Postcolonial Writing and Arab Studies Quarterly, which is a journal founded by Edward Said in 1979. I am an assistant editor with the journal Arab Studies Quarterly. I am also an associate editor in the new journal Janus Unbound. Moreover, I am on the editorial board of the journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies published by Edinburgh University Press. I am currently working on a new book—an edited volume of Ghassan Kanafani’s political writings, which will be published by Pluto books.

 My research work revolves around resistance literature, anti-colonial theory and the importance of place and space in literature. I published articles on Edward Said, William Butler Yeats, Mahmoud Darwish, Mourid Barghouti, Saadi Yousef, Ghassan Kanafani, Naji Al Ali, Palestine, Ireland, and Iraq. My current research interests include the complexities of space historical/temporal, geographical and imaginative—within the anti-colonial and resistance spheres.
 

• His Excellency Prof. Refat Alfaouri- Member

Prof. Refat Alfaouri has a PhD in Public Policy Analysis and Administration with a minor in Organizational Analysis from Saint Louis University in the USA in 1990, an MPA in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in the USA in 1987, and a BA in Administrative Sciences with a focus on Finance from Yarmouk University in Jordan in 1983.

From September 2007 to September 2015, Prof. Refat served as the President of Yarmouk University in Jordan. Additionally, they held positions such as Director General of the Arab Administrative Development Organization - League of Arab States, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Irbid Governorate Electricity Company, Vice President for Administrative, Academic and Quality Assurance at Yarmouk University, and Dean of the School of Economics and Administration Sciences and Professor of Public Administration at Yarmouk University.

Furthermore, Prof. Refat has received 14 grants and provided 30 consultations, attended 300 conferences, published 43 papers, and authored 2 books. They also serve on the editorial board of 7 international journals.
 

• His Excellency Prof. Khaled Al-salem - Member

 Professor El-Salem is the president of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of King Abdullah University Hospital. He graduated with a medical degree (MD) form JUST in 1996 and continued his higher education in the United States where he did his residency in Clinical Neurology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. He is American Board Certified in four subspecialties: Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Neuromuscular Medicine. He also received a master's degree in health professions education. In 2002, he joined the medical school of JUST as an assistant professor, to be promoted over the following years to associate and then full professor in 2012. During that time Prof. El-Salem was appointed to many administrative positions, from chairman of specialty to assistant dean of medicine, vice dean of scientific research, vice dean of graduate studies, dean of graduate studies, vice president of JUST for 5 years, and finally he has been the president of JUST since August 2021. 
Prof. El-Salem was appointed as a member of the board of trustees of two government universities. He served in many high ranked committees in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and chaired the medical and pharmaceutical sector committee for Scientific Research Fund and the scientific committee of the Jordanian Neurological Society, to be elected later as president of the Jordanian Neurological Society for two years. He also chaired the scientific committee of the Jordanian Board of Neurology. He published numerous articles (around 100) in the leading journals of neurology and medical education and is active in research with multiple on-going institutional, national, and international projects.

Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Arab Researchers Award - Applications are Now Open - Apply Here

Evaluation

Arbitration committees formed by the award's scientific committee with expertise and sufficiency shall evaluate the scientific output submitted and accepted for the award based on criteria that guarantee the objectivity and credibility of the award's results, and their decisions are final and may not be appealed. The committees make choices that result in the awarding of prizes or the withholding of awards.

If any of the following is confirmed to the scientific committee, it has the right to withdraw the award from the winner:
- Violation of any of the award conditions announced in the nomination invitation.

- Violation of the ethics of scientific research in the submitted scientific output.

- Any other breach that the scientific authority deems appropriate.

Winners' Selection

1- Preliminary screening of the works submitted for the award, to verify that the conditions of the award apply to them and the completion of the candidacy application.

2- Referring the works that comply with the conditions to the arbitration committees to study and prepare their reports on these works.

3- Selecting the winners or withholding some prizes during the committee meeting in Amman - Jordan.

Award Components

- A certificate that includes the name of the award, the name of the winner, and the field in which he won.

- A financial reward of (20,000) twenty thousand US dollars.

- A shield bearing the award's name and logo.

- If two winners deserve the same award, each of them is awarded a certificate and a shield, in addition to the financial reward that is divided equally between the winners.
- The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation announces the names of the award winners by appropriate means, on a date to be determined each year, and a special ceremony is held to award the award.

Nomination Conditions

• The candidate must be of Arab nationality or of Arab origin.
• The candidate must be alive at the time of his nomination.
• The candidate must have presented to science and society a distinguished scientific product in the theoretical and applied fields during the five years preceding the candidacy, and it has been published in refereed scientific journals.
• That the research submitted to the award was carried out in an Arab country, or was carried out in active participation with one or more researchers residing in an Arab country.
• The candidate must send an abstract in both languages; Arabic and English for the scientific output submitted for the award.
• The winner of one of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Awards for Arab Researchers in the past may not apply for the award again.

• Research papers are accepted in both languages, Arabic or English.
• Master’s and doctoral theses research are not included in the evaluation of the candidate’s scientific output.
• The application for candidacy is submitted in one of the specializations listed within the announced award fields only, and this is specified in the nomination form.

Scientific output and documents are sent in one go, and any materials sent after that are not considered. The scientific output of the candidate shall not be returned, whether or not he won the award.

Members of the scientific committee and jury committees for the year in which the award is announced are not entitled to run for the award.

When Applying

When starting to fill out the nomination form, please kindly take the following things into consideration:

• Fill in all the mandatory required fields of personal information, academic qualifications and scientific output.
• Adding research based on importance when filling out the part of the scientific output, by adding the top 10 research papers first, and then adding the rest of the research, if any.
• Ensure that all required attachments are present, and use the approved forms to fill out some of them in the electronic system.
• Applications that do not comply with the conditions of the award, or incomplete applications, or those that arrive after the deadline for nomination has expired will not be considered.

Judging criteria

Criteria related to the distinction of the candidate

• Participation in research activities (conferences, seminars, workshops,...) inside and outside the university.
• His/Her contribution to community service through various activities.
• His/Her ability to build local and foreign partnerships and attract financial and technical support for scientific research.
• Supervising undergraduate and graduate students.

Criteria related to excellence in scientific production

• The number of research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals as a principal researcher and as a co-researcher.
• The cumulative impact factor of research.
• The number of references to research (Citation).
• The originality of the research and its scientific value.
• The extent of its relationship to practical application and its impact on economic, social development and the environment in the Arab world.
• The extent to which research contributes to a new addition to the global scientific accumulation in the field/topic it deals with.
• Its alignment with global research and scientific trends.
• Obtaining other awards in the field of scientific research.
• The number of registered patents, if any.

You can view the award instructions for this course by clicking here.

Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Arab Researchers Award - Applications are Now Open - Apply Here

The Scientific Committee of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Prize for Arab Researchers announces the commence of receiving applications for the year 2025 (the forty-third session), which amounts to twenty thousand dollars. The award is given in appreciation of outstanding scientific output in the five years preceding the candidacy, the publication, and dissemination of which leads to an increase in scientific and applied knowledge, contributes to solving priority problems locally, regionally, and globally, and spreads the culture of scientific research, bearing in mind that the deadline for accepting nominations is March 31, 2025.

You can view the award manual for this course by clicking here.

Award Fields
The award is granted in the year 2025 (the forty third session) in the following fields and topics:

Medical and Health Sciences

• The Use of Stem Cells in Treating Incurable Diseases: Stem cells are among the most prominent recent medical discoveries that have provoked researchers' interest in treating chronic and intractable diseases. These cells are characterized by their ability to regenerate and evolve into different types of specialized cells in the body, making them a potential tool for replacing or repairing damaged tissues. Stem cells are currently used in many therapeutic applications, such as the treatment of chronic heart disease, and type 1 diabetes by improving pancreatic function. Its role in the treatment of nervous system diseases, such as plaque sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, is also being explored. Despite the scientific and ethical challenges associated with this area, ongoing research reinforces the hope of providing radical treatments for many diseases that were considered intractable in the past.

• Biological Drug Delivery Systems Using Nanotechnology Techniques: Nanotechnological techniques represent a groundbreaking advancement in the field of medicine, where nanopharma delivery systems allow the targeting of sick cells or organs with infinite precision without affecting healthy tissue. These techniques are based on the design of targeted nanoparticles that can be loaded with medicines or therapeutic agents, and then programmed to reach specific sites within the body, such as cancer cells or inflamed tissues. These nanoparticles are used to overcome the body's natural barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier, opening new avenues for the treatment of complex diseases such as cancers and nervous system diseases. Thanks to its ability to release drugs gradually and specifically, these technologies reduce overdoses and their side effects, improving treatment efficiency and patient safety. Nanopharma delivery systems are a practical example of technological advances that change the future of medicine towards more precise and effective treatments.

Engineering and Technological Sciences

• Alternative and Renewable Energy Storage Technologies: The field of energy storage is a pivotal element in the development of sustainable energy systems and the transition towards reliance on alternative and renewable energy sources. Energy storage technologies are diverse, encompassing chemical storage methods such as various types of batteries that support the operation of electronic devices and electric vehicles, as well as hydrogen, which is stored for later use in electricity or heat generation. Additionally, electrical storage methods include supercapacitors, known for their high charging and discharging speed, and mechanical methods such as pumping water into elevated reservoirs to generate electricity when needed and flywheels. Thermal storage technologies also stand out, relying on materials capable of storing and releasing heat, alongside innovative chemical technologies such as flow batteries, which offer effective solutions to meet the increasing energy demand. These advanced technologies contribute to improving the efficiency of energy production and distribution, enhancing the reliability of electrical grids, and supporting global efforts to achieve environmental sustainability.

• Smart traffic management systems: Intelligent traffic management systems are a fundamental component of the transition toward more sustainable and efficient cities. These systems leverage advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. They operate by collecting and analyzing data from sensors, cameras, and traffic signals, providing real-time information that helps in making better decisions for managing vehicle and pedestrian movement. These systems also enable the prediction of congestion scenarios and automatically guide drivers to alternative routes, contributing to reduced fuel consumption, lower carbon emissions, and enhanced road safety. Such smart solutions represent a critical step toward achieving sustainable mobility and improving the quality of life in urban areas.

Water, Energy and Food Sciences

• Water Efficiency Innovations and Technology: Innovations and practices aimed at improving efficient and economical water use using modern irrigation technologies, smart water management systems, the use of technology in monitoring and management of water networks to improve water use efficiency, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture practices that reduce water dependence and improve the efficiency of water resource use.

• Research and development in drought-tolerant crops: Crops that can grow in water shortages, seed technology and drought-tolerant crops, genetic modification and plant breeding to withstand drought, "climate-smart agriculture" to develop drought-resistant crop varieties, the use of artificial intelligence and big data to predict drought tolerance

Humanities, Social and Educational Sciences

• The Role of the Media in Manufacturing Consent: This topic focuses on the critical role of the media in shaping public consent. In other words, media outlets—whether government-owned or private—play a significant role in influencing public opinion on politics, supporting wars, and shaping views on various social, cultural, and religious issues. Hegemonic powers and state authorities rely on the media to set the stage for future agendas. Mass media, including mainstream media, government-owned media, social media, and other forms of media, play an essential role in gaining public consent on important issues. Research in these fields—media studies, cultural studies, and sociology—is crucial to understanding how societies' views can be easily manipulated to manufacture consent.

• Artificial Intelligence and the Arabic Language: This topic explores artificial intelligence in the Arabic language, focusing on its uses, applications, accessibility, accuracy, depth, and expansion, among other related aspects. Here, we emphasize research that explores the use of artificial intelligence in the Arabic language in various domains, including AI in Arabic education, natural language processing (NLP), machine translation, business and industry, educational technology, Arabic dialect identification and processing, AI for Arabic health and medical applications and other key areas. This includes studies on the most effective AI tools available and those currently being developed in the Arabic language. Given that AI's use in different domains is still relatively new, research comparing its effectiveness in Arabic to other languages is also an important area of focus.

Basic Sciences

• Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystems: This field focuses on studying and protecting ecosystems, with emphasis on the unique biodiversity found in deserts, terrestrial, and marine environments. It involves evaluating the impact of human activities, such as urbanization and industrial expansion, on habitats and addressing challenges resulting from climate change. Additionally, it encompasses the development of strategies for habitat restoration, the conservation of endangered species, and the sustainable management of resources to ensure ecological balance and enhance ecosystem resilience. In addition, it involves studying the marine ecosystems and biodiversity in regions such as the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and the Mediterranean Sea. This includes assessing the effectiveness of conservation and protection strategies, analyzing the impact of human activities and climate change on marine life, and proposing sustainable solutions to preserve these vital ecosystems for future generations.

• Basic Sciences in Innovative Waste Recycling: Basic sciences play a crucial role in developing innovative techniques for effective waste recycling, particularly in areas affected by wars and conflicts, where infrastructure damage leads to the accumulation of large amounts of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, posing a direct threat to public health and the environment. Innovations based on basic sciences include technologies such as waste-to-energy, which helps convert waste into usable energy sources, providing sustainable energy alternatives. Additionally, biological treatment techniques using microorganisms are employed to analyze hazardous pollutants and convert them into less harmful substances, helping reduce environmental pollution. Furthermore, mobile waste processing units offer a flexible solution that allows waste to be treated at the affected sites, reducing the need to transport waste to distant processing centers. These innovative solutions contribute to debris and waste removal, reduce health risks, generate energy, and restore environmental balance. They also form an essential part of reconstruction efforts and enhance communities' ability to adapt to the environmental and humanitarian conditions resulting from conflicts.

Economics and Administration Sciences

• Fintech: Fintech is used to describe new technology that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services. In essence, fintech is used to help businesses, business owners and consumers better manage their financial operations, operations and lives. Financial technology encompasses all avenues for the development of financial systems such as banks, lenders, insurance companies, investment funds, securities markets, payment service providers, regulatory and oversight organs, etc.
• Intellectual capital: Intellectual capital refers to the range of intangible assets the company has, such as employee knowledge and expertise, organizational processes, and relationships with clients and partners. This includes three main branches: human capital that focuses on employee skills and expertise, relational capital that fosters relationships with clients and partners, and structural capital that supports the company's organizational infrastructure. These assets contribute to a competitive advantage and increase the company's economic efficiency.

To be nominated for the award

Please read the terms of nomination for the Shoman Prize for Arab Researchers in the award manual, once you meet the conditions, you are welcome to submit your application for the award via the electronic system, by following the following steps:

1- Create an account on the electronic system by clicking on the link and activating the account to enter the electronic system.

2- Enter personal data, contact information, and address.

3- Enter the information about the scientific production submitted for the award.

4- Entering work information and academic qualifications.

5- Upload the required attachments and submit the application.

Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Arab Researchers Award - Applications are Now Open - Apply Here

Abdul Hameed Shoman Arab Researchers Award was launched in 1982 till 2024. 496 researchers won from the middle east, you can find their names in the below files.

Know the winners of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Arab Researchers Award since its launch click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2008 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2009 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2010 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2011 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2012 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2013 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2014 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2015 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2016 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2017 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2018 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2019 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2020 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2021 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2022 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2023 click here

to watch the ceremony for winners of the year 2024 click here