The map·Qatar·Grants & prizes

QRDI Technology Development Grant (TDG)

Qatar's largest non-dilutive R&D instrument, run by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council.

What
Co-funding up to QAR 10M per project; the company also carries a funding share.
Who
Companies incorporated in Qatar, including SMEs, startups and multinationals.
Cost
No equity — co-funding, not an investment
Status
Closed

innolight.qrdi.org.qa/en/opportunities/p/54 · How we check ↗

Website ↗On the map →

In detail

QRDI Technology Development Grant (TDG) is a non-dilutive r&d co-funding grant in Qatar. Qatar's largest non-dilutive R&D instrument, run by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council. Co-funds a company's own R&D project towards a new product, process or service over up to three years. Cycle 3 ran from 15 January to 20 September 2025 (Innolight: three cycles so far, currently closed). Co-funds manpower, capex and operating expenses; the support level depends on company type (SME, LLE, MNC).

Amount
Up to QAR 10M per project · co-funding, the company carries a share itself
Terms
No equity — co-funding, not an investment
Eligibility
Any company incorporated in Qatar — SMEs, startups, large local enterprises and multinationals. Companies based outside Qatar may apply undertaking to register a Qatari company to carry out the project if awarded. Six-step process starting with an expression of interest
Sectors
Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences, Agricultural Sciences
Benefits
  • Up to three years of project funding
  • no equity taken
  • route into the national R&D ecosystem
  • post-award management by the QRDI Council
Status
Cycle 3 closed — applications ran 15 Jan to 20 Sep 2025; next cycle not announced

Closing soon on the map

Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

Grant · Saudi Arabia
Up to SAR 500,000 non-repayable per project, capped at 20 projects total.
No equity — grant
29 Sep 2026closes

Finspire

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SAR 100,000 development funding, earmarked rather than paid as cash.
Equity via SAFE, capped at 5%
4 Oct 2026closes

QSTP Incubation

Accelerator · Qatar
In-kind support: Doha workspace and housing for a four-week Sprint, talent and investor access.
Equity — 1.5% deferred SAFE-style stake
1 Nov 2026closes

All published deadlines →

More grants & prizes in Qatar

FinTech Development Grant (QFTH)

Grant · Qatar
Milestone-linked co-funding.
No equity — co-funding
—

Qatar–Spain Innovation Program (QASIP)

Grant · Qatar
Co-funding up to QAR 1.5M for 1–3 year bilateral Qatar–Spain R&D projects.
No equity — grant
—

QRDI Qatar Open Innovation (QOI)

Grant · Qatar
QAR 365K in funding per challenge, over a one-year pilot.
No equity — grant
—

QRDI SBIG

Grant · Qatar
Grants up to QAR 3M over 3 years, or phased QAR 800K–2.2M funding.
No equity — grant
—

All grants & prizes in Qatar →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · innolight.qrdi.org.qa/en/opportunities/p/54 · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/qrdi-council