Dubai: The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Aviation Award has relaunched with $1 million in prizes to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel research, supporting UAE’s leadership in green aviation ahead of ICAO and COP28 milestones, and recognising academic and institutional innovators worldwide.
The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award (SMBRGAA) has been relaunched with a significant focus on accelerating innovation in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), highlighting the UAE’s commitment to advancing sustainable air transport. This latest edition of the award offers a total of $1 million in prizes, divided among undergraduate and postgraduate researchers, as well as research and development institutions, to recognise and encourage groundbreaking work in SAF. The award signifies a strong global message that the aviation industry is prioritising scientific foundations to transition towards greener skies.
Open to research conducted from 2022 to 2024, submissions are invited under three main categories: Academic Organisations (Undergraduates), Academic Organisations (Postgraduates), and Research and Development Institutions. Interested parties have until 15 July 2025 to submit their entries, which will be honoured during the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 42nd Assembly in Montreal in late September. Originally created in 2016, the SMBRGAA serves as a triennial recognition platform, reinforcing the UAE’s support not only for innovation but also for equity in aviation as aligned with ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative.
This initiative comes amidst the UAE’s broader efforts to lead sustainable aviation development. For instance, Emirates has recently joined the UAE-based Air-CRAFT consortium, a coalition of key aviation and energy stakeholders including ADNOC, Boeing, and Masdar, aimed at developing and scaling SAF technologies. Announced at the third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels held in Dubai, this consortium underscores a collaborative national push toward decarbonising aviation ahead of the global climate talks at COP28.
Dubai itself is gaining prominence as a global hub for aviation sustainability. The Dubai Airshow in November 2023 showcased numerous strategies for achieving net-zero emissions, with Emirates conducting demonstration flights powered by SAF and making considerable financial commitments for further research in advanced fuel technologies. Complementing these efforts, Dubai Airports was recently awarded the Best Aviation Sustainability Programme (Environment pillar) at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Global Aviation Awards, in recognition of its extensive sustainability initiatives. These include replacing over 150,000 conventional light fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs, deploying electric and hybrid ground service vehicles, and erecting a large-scale 15,000-panel solar array at Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport.
Together, these developments highlight the UAE’s growing role as a catalyst for sustainable aviation, combining financial incentives, research collaborations, and infrastructural innovation to move the industry towards a cleaner, greener future. For academics, researchers, and institutions involved in SAF research, the SMBRGAA represents a timely opportunity to gain global recognition and support, potentially accelerating the impact of their work on the aviation sector’s environmental transformation.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://unitingaviation.com/news/general-interest/to-accelerate-innovation-in-sustainable-aviation-fuels-the-uae-launched-this-1-million-research-award/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://unitingaviation.com/news/general-interest/to-accelerate-innovation-in-sustainable-aviation-fuels-the-uae-launched-this-1-million-research-award/ – The UAE has launched the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award (SMBRGAA), offering $1 million in prizes for undergraduate and postgraduate research in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The award aims to accelerate innovation in SAF by recognising outstanding research and will be presented during ICAO’s 42nd Assembly in Montreal at the end of September. Categories include Academic Organizations (Undergraduates), Academic Organizations (Postgraduates), and Research and Development Institutions. Submissions must be based on research from 2022, 2023, or 2024, with a deadline of 15 July 2025.
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-joins-uae-based-research-consortium-for-renewable-and-advanced-aviation-fuels/ – Emirates has joined the UAE-based research consortium Air-CRAFT, which focuses on developing, producing, and scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies. Supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, the consortium comprises eight founding entities, including ADNOC, Boeing, Emirates, ENOC Group, Etihad, Honeywell, Khalifa University, and Masdar. The initiative was announced during the 3rd ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in Dubai, ahead of COP28.
- https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2023/november/11-11/dubai-aviation-industry-makes-firm-strides-towards-a-more-sustainable-future – Dubai has emerged as a global leader in promoting sustainability within the aviation industry. The Dubai Airshow, held from 13-17 November 2023, showcased solutions and strategies for achieving net-zero emissions in aviation. Emirates Airline has conducted demonstration flights powered by SAF and pledged substantial funds for research and development into advanced fuel technologies. Dubai Airports has implemented energy efficiency measures, including replacing 150,000 conventional light fixtures with LED lights and building a 15,000-panel solar array at DXB’s Terminal 2.
- https://www.wam.ae/en/article/hszrfpm6-dubai-airports-wins-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid – Dubai Airports has been awarded the Best Aviation Sustainability Programme (Environment pillar) at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Global Aviation Awards for its efforts in developing a more sustainable global aviation industry. The award was presented during the 41st General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada. Dubai Airports was recognised for implementing sustainability programmes, including replacing 150,000 conventional light fixtures with LED lights, introducing electric and hybrid ground service vehicles, and building a 15,000-panel solar array at DXB’s Terminal 2.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/aviation/dubai-airports-wins-sheikh-mohammed-award-for-sustainability-programme – Dubai Airports has been awarded the Best Aviation Sustainability Programme (Environment pillar) at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Global Aviation Awards for its ongoing efforts in developing a more sustainable global aviation industry. The award was presented during the 41st General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada. Dubai Airports was recognised for implementing sustainability programmes, including replacing 150,000 conventional light fixtures with LED lights, introducing electric and hybrid ground service vehicles, and building a 15,000-panel solar array at DXB’s Terminal 2.
- https://www.onearabia.me/local/uae-launches-third-edition-mohammed-bin-rashid-global-aviation-award-011-106851.html – The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has introduced the third edition of The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award. This initiative, in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), aims to promote innovation and sustainability within aviation. The award, valued at one million US dollars, encourages innovative solutions and research for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) development. Categories include Academic Organisations (Undergraduates), Academic Organisations (Postgraduates), and Research Institutions, with submissions based on research from 2022, 2023, or 2024, and a deadline of 15 July 2025.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on June 19, 2025, and has not appeared elsewhere. The UAE’s launch of the $1 million research award is a new development, with no prior reports found. The article includes updated data and new material, justifying a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes are present in the narrative, indicating original content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Uniting Aviation, a reputable organisation affiliated with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the UAE’s commitment to sustainable aviation and the launch of the $1 million research award are plausible and align with the UAE’s known initiatives in this sector.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and originates from a reputable source. It presents plausible claims about the UAE’s new $1 million research award for sustainable aviation fuels, with no signs of disinformation or recycled content.
