Innovation Grant (IG) Policy and Procedure

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IG Policy and Procedure
InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01.01
SEPTEMPER 2023

Page 2 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
Contents
1. Document Control Information .................................................................................................... 3
2. Approval List ............................................................................................................................... 3
3. Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Policy Statement ......................................................................................................................... 4
5. Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 4
6. Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 4
7. Innovation grant policy ................................................................................................................ 4
8. IEC Grant Procedure .................................................................................................................... 7
9. Reference(s) and Related Document(s) ...................................................................................... 9

Page 3 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
1. Document Control Information
Version
number File Name Responsible Role Comments Date of change
V1.1
Innovation Grant Policy Acting head of IEC First policy approved on 14/09/2023 and
merged with procedure in the new
template
Feb 2024
v01.01
IEC Procedure
Acting head of IEC Combined policy and procedures into one
template. Feb 2024
2. Approval List
Approval List: Innovation Grant Policy & Proecedures_RD_POL_v01.01
Sequence
Number Sequence Roles Responsible Role Comments Date
1 Policy Owner VP of Research 2023 08 14
2 Initiator Head of Strategic Projects 2023 07 25
3 Review Head of IEQA 2023 08 10
4 Endorser General Counsel/Legal 2023 08 16
5 Endorser Director of IEQA & Strategy 2024 05 30
6 Approver President 2023 09 14
3. Definitions
Terminology Definition
AI Artificial Intelligence
Go-to-market A strategy detailing how a product will be promoted and sold to customers.
IEC The Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center
Matching Grant A grant in which the amount given is matched by an equivalent
contribution from another source.
MBZUAI The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
Proof of Concept (POC) A demonstration showing the feasibility of an idea or concept.

Page 4 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
Prototyping Creating a preliminary model or version to test and refine a concept.
Series-A Funding An early-stage investment round where startups exchange equity for
capital to finance their growth and development.
4. Policy Statement
4.1. The MBZUAI Innovation Center serves as a focal point for the start-up ecosystem and the development of
high-technology innovations. It offers three primary services:
1. Entrepreneurship courses: These courses focus on essential business and startup principles to
nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs within the university.
2. Role models talk series: This series consists of insightful talks by AI role models, such as
entrepreneurial academics and distinguished investors, hosted in Abu Dhabi.
3. AI innovation program: This program is specifically designed to generate AI-based solutions for
real-life challenges faced by the Abu Dhabi Government and various industries.
4.2.Additionally, the growth of start-ups is supported by a range of resources and infrastructure, including an
innovation space, ample computing power, and grants to facilitate their progress.
5. Purpose
5.1. The MBZUAI Innovation Grant provides support for in-house innovators and entrepreneurs, specifically
targeting early-stage AI-enabled start-ups that are striving to develop cutting-edge deep-tech products. Its
objective is to collaborate with academic departments to foster a culture of commercializing research and
development outcomes, encouraging faculty members and students to explore entrepreneurship
opportunities.
6. Scope
6.1. This Policy applies to all MBZUAI-affiliated individuals, including students, faculty, researchers, and alumni.
6.2. The procedure applies to all applicants who apply for the grant.
7. Innovation grant policy
7.1. Grant Scheme
7.1.1. Grant Details
Type of Grants Idea Grant POC Grant Growth Grant
Nature Grant Supporting
student participation
in entrepreneurship
by supporting market
Grant Supporting
prototyping, proof-of-
concept (POC)
development, and
Grant Supporting go-
to-market expenses
with a proven
business model

Page 5 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
validation and related
expenses
business
establishment
Grant Up to AED 20,000 Up to AED 70,000 Up to Aed 200,000,
1:1 matching grant to
private capital raised
No. of projects
supported/year
Up to 15 Up to 5 Up to 2
Application period
colling period: same
individual every 6
month
Every 3 months Every 4 months Every 6 months
7.1.2. Scope of Funding
The approved funding can cover expenses in the following areas:
o Business registration in Abu Dhabi.
o Product/Service development.
o Marketing includes justifiable promotional materials.
o Research and development costs, including prototyping.
o Any justifiable expenses essential for start-up development
The funds provided under this agreement shall not be utilized for any activities that are in violation of local and
federal laws.
7.1.3. Eligibility
• The grant program welcomes both individual applicants and teams to apply.
• Entrepreneurs in the AI field that has MBZUAI affiliation (e.g., faculty, student, researcher, etc.)
are eligible for the grant.
• The grant is specifically intended for early-stage start-ups before they secure their first round
of Series A funding.
• Applying start-ups should have a significant focus on technology. It is preferable for the start-
up to possess MBZUAI technologies, patents, or intellectual properties, indicating a substantial
amount of technological content.
• The applicant or team who has completed any MBZUAI Entrepreneurship courses is preferred.
7.2. Application
7.2.1. Application Process
• Interested applicants will need to complete an online application; one start-up project/team
per application.
• One person may submit applications for multiple start-up projects but will only be admitted
for one start-up.
• Shortlisted start-ups will be invited to a screening interview with the Innovation Committee.
7.2.2. Application Submission
Completing the application, applying teams are required to submit the following documents:
1. Pre-POC Ideation Grant:
a. Idea Description: Overview of the product or service that you intend to create, including
problem statement, solution, and unique selling point.
b. Preliminary Research: Early-stage evidence that supports the feasibility of your idea, e.g.,
initial lab test results that show that the idea performs better than existing alternatives,
market research, and surveys.

Page 6 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
c. Team Introduction: A brief introduction of the team members, including their relevant skills
and expertise.
d. Use of funds: An outline of how the grant funds will be used.
2. POC Grant:
a. Project description: Detailed description of the proposed product/ service and its value
propositions and targeted customers. Including early-stage evidence that supports the
feasibility of your idea, e.g., initial lab test results that show that the idea performs better
than existing alternatives, market research, and surveys.
b. Market analysis: Detailed analysis of the potential market, e.g., market size, market growth,
and competitive landscape.
c. Product plan: Detailed plan for creating a prototype or proof-of-concept including required
resources and timelines.
d. Team introduction: Detailed profiles of the team members, their roles in the project, and
their relevant experience
e. Budget and spending plan: Detailed breakdown of how the grant funds will be used for
prototyping, PoC development, and business establishment.
3. Growth Grant:
a. Business plan: A comprehensive business plan for the company, including analyses of the
market, product, team, budget, financials, etc.
b. Proof of private capital raised: Documents showing the amount of private capital raised for
the company.
c. Other supplementary information includes appropriate reference numbers for filing/grant of
IP(s) (if applicable).
7.2.3. Assessment
• Relevance to industry: potential to disrupt the industry/ market.
• Technology competency: technology involved, solution uniqueness, preferable to have IP(s).
• Business potential: market research, landscape and feasibility, value proposition, competitive
advantage, development plan, and milestones.
• Individual/ team competency: individual qualifications and strengths, track record, execution
ability, commitment, advisory support.
• Social and/or community impact of the business and R&D work with clear alignment with
Abu Dhabi or UAE strategic priorities.
• Others: other areas defined by the Innovation Committee
7.3. Mentoring and Monitoring
7.3.1. Mentoring for Success
• Mentorship is provided to foster a supportive environment and provide expertise and
guidance to our grantees.
• Grantees will have the opportunity to engage with a panel of experts in a mentorship meeting
every quarter to present progress, address challenges, and strategize for the future.
7.3.2. Monitoring
• Each funded start-up should submit to MBZUAI Innovation Center a half-yearly report on the
progress of its business.
• The head of the Innovation Center should prepare a bi-annual performance report of the
allocated funding and escalate issues if any to the committee

Page 7 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
7.4. Grant Governance
7.4.1. It is important to ensure proper governance of the grant, which will be achieved via the Innovation
Committee, consisting of:
• Representative from the President's office
• Representative from the Legal Department
• Representative from the Innovation Center
• External stakeholders who are industry veterans from diverse backgrounds and possess
a wealth of experience in various aspects of business, such as successful entrepreneurs,
VCs, etc.
The members of the committee shall be appointed by the President
7.4.2. The Innovation Committee at MBZUAI serves as the governing body responsible for overseeing a
diverse range of innovation projects and initiatives. One of their responsibilities is grant oversight,
which entails:
• Review and update grant scheme guidelines and criteria.
• Evaluate grant applications based on their merit, potential impact, feasibility, and
alignment with the university’s strategic goals.
• Monitor and evaluate progress and impact of funded companies.
8. IEC Grant Procedure
8.1. The grant procedure is structured into several key stages, detailed below:
▪ Application Submission: This initial stage involves applicants submitting their applications for grants,
which may vary in amount (AED 20k, 70k, or 200k).
▪ Application Receipt and Review: Upon submission, the IEC receives and reviews the applications to
determine their compliance with the specified criteria. Applications that do not meet the criteria are
returned to the applicants with feedback on necessary amendments for resubmission and
reconsideration. Those that satisfy the criteria progress to the pre-screening stage.
▪ Pre-Screening Stage: At this juncture, the IEC conducts a further review of each compliant application.
Applicants who meet the pre-screening criteria are invited to present their proposals in detail.
Successful applications at this stage are forwarded to the formal screening round conducted by the
grant committee, while unsuccessful ones are given feedback for improvement and another
opportunity to resubmit.
▪ Screening Stage: The grant committee performs the screening, where each case is meticulously
evaluated. Approved applications are then eligible for funding, while those not approved are again
provided with feedback for necessary improvements before resubmission.
▪ Grant Agreement: Applications that receive the committee's approval then move into the grant
agreement phase. Here, successful applicants sign an agreement outlining the terms and conditions of
the grant.
▪ Fund Disbursement: Following the signing of the grant agreement, the IEC informs the finance
department of the approved applications. The finance department is responsible for disbursing funds
to the successful applicants, which may be transferred into their personal or corporate accounts,
depending on the startup's specific circumstances.
▪ Receipt of Funds: Once the funds are disbursed, founders are expected to manage these funds
according to the stipulations agreed upon in their business plan with the IEC.
▪ Periodic Review: To ensure continued progress and proper use of the funds, the IEC periodically
reviews the performance and progress of each funded startup, based on the metrics and milestones
set forth in the initial agreement.

Page 8 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
Responsibility Process
Applicant
IEC
Grant
Committee
Finance Responsibility Process
Applicant
IEC
Grant
Committee
Finance
needs
improvement
Application
submission
(or resubmission)
Application
receipt &
review
Pre-screening
Screening
Funds
disbursement
Grant
agreement
Receipt of
Funds
Close
Periodic
review
approved
approved
needs
improvement
Start
amend
ok
needs
improvement
Application
submission
(or resubmission)
Application
receipt &
review
Pre-screening
Screening
Funds
disbursement
Grant
agreement
Receipt of
Funds
Close
Periodic
review
approved
approved
needs
improvement
Start
amend
ok

Page 9 of 9 MBZUAI Policy and Procedure
Department Research Division Approval Date 2023/09/14
Document Reference InnovationGrantPolicyandProcedure_RD_POL_v01 Revision Date 2025/09/14
Document name IG Policy and Procedure Document owner VP of Research
9. Reference(s) and Related Document(s)
9.1. Grant application Center form (to be released)
9.2. Progress update review form (to be released)