Qatar- Five projects awarded Osra grants to improve Arab family structure

Date

4/4/2016 9:51:02 PM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)

DOHA: A new joint research grant by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) has been awarded to a study about issues related to the family structure in the region.

Osra (‘family’ in Arabic) the new grant encourages research which can be used to develop a knowledge base on the Arab family. Five proposals from Qatar and the wider region were awarded and included institutions from Morocco Lebanon Oman and Qatar during the recent Annual Research Conference 2016.

The topics of the proposals varied from parenting studies to family law to family work balance in different Arab countries. One proposal aims to study how social preferences are influenced in conflict regions such as Palestine. Research areas included marriage and family structure; parenting; family-work balance; and family laws and practices. The research findings funded under OSRA will assist the development of evidence-based policies and programmes to promote the well-being of the Arab family.

The initiative aims to unite researchers all Arab countries under one umbrella to begin identifying strengths and finding solutions to challenges. Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie Executive Director QNRF said “We are delighted to announce the outcome of the first cycle of OSRA grant which is the result of a collaboration with DIFI. The programme addresses an important area for Arab societies in general and Qatari society specifically.”

Noor Al Malki Al Jehani Executive Director DIFI said “DIFI wanted the OSRA grant to support research that could advance family policies and programmes while promoting the well-being of Arab families. We are pleased with the response of the first cycle of the grant and the diversity of topics addressed.”

OSRA is part of the Thematic and Grand Challenges Programme of QNRF to competitively select research projects that address questions in an identified thematic area. To qualify for OSRA funding a project must be led by a lead principal investigator with a doctoral qualification who has at least three peer-reviewed scientific publications in a relevant field and is living and affiliated to an institution in Qatar or another Arab country.

The OSRA call for proposals was launched in March 2015 and 16 proposals were submitted to QNRF-DIFI. The proposals underwent a highly competitive review process that led to the selection of the five awarded proposals.

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