I. Background
The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Higher Education Research & Innovation (MoHERI) are collaborating to offer a new strategic research grant opportunity focused on developing Innovative Solutions for Health Care Challenges to improve health care for the population in Oman.
The mission of this collaborative grant programme is to improve health care for the population in Oman and to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based health innovations that align the mutual interests of patients, healthcare professionals, and the community. The MoH is the lead organization for management of applications along with the strategic research programme committee. Grant funding will be provided by MoHERI.
The intent of this Call for Proposals (CFP) is to encourage researchers and organizations to submit research proposals designed to tackle and improve the understanding of health care challenges in Oman, design innovative solutions and study the impact of these solutions. Successful proposals will include a detailed plan and scope to address the selected research challenge. Proposals must describe how the outcomes, can be implemented, with possible evidence of scalability (e.g., integration with an electronic medical record system) and sustainability (e.g., plan for dissemination/applicability beyond the proposed institution). Consideration should be given regarding potential adaptation of the outcomes to different settings. The full proposal will go through a competitive peer-review and grant decision-making by the Programme Team.
II. Type of CFP Research Areas for the 2025 Cycle
Challenge 1: Health Service Delivery
Service delivery is a cornerstone of any health system, and Oman’s healthcare system faces pressing challenges, including rising healthcare costs, an aging population, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Addressing these issues requires research into Models of Care and Integrated Healthcare models that improve coordination across providers, enhance patient outcomes, and optimize resource use.
By aligning with Oman Vision 2040, this research aims to develop sustainable, patient-centered care delivery mechanisms that incorporate technological innovations and meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
Challenge 2: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare supporting decision-making
Oman Vision 2040 emphasizes technological innovation as a driver of progress across sectors, including healthcare. With the growing complexity of medical data and patient care, AI presents opportunities to enhance resource allocation, improve healthcare delivery efficiency, and optimize chronic disease management.
Research into AI applications in healthcare decision-making is critical to navigating these complexities and achieving better patient outcomes while ensuring sustainability.
Applicant organisations may choose to submit single or multiple full proposal for projects that are aligned with the research challenge(s). Partnering, coordination, and collaboration between organizations are strongly encouraged. Also welcomed are intra-organizational collaborations that bring special expertise to the project, such as information technology, and others.
III. CFP key information
| Scope: | Focused collaborative strategic research on selected national research priorities. |
| Research Challenge Title 1: | Health Service Delivery |
| Research Areas: |
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| Research Challenge Title 2: | Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare supporting decision-making |
| Research Areas: |
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| Type of Submission: | Full proposals only |
| Eligibility criteria: | · Applications should be limited ONLY to the research areas of the selected theme/challenge(s). Unrelated applications will not be considered.
· Principal Investigator (PI): PhD holder or equivalent (clinicians: senior specialist or higher) · PI should be from an organisation that is electronically connected to Ministry of Higher Education Research and Innovation |
| Key requirements: | · Individual projects can be funded for up to a maximum of 24-months’ duration
· MoHERI will fund up to 50% of the total project cost with a maximum cap of OMR 50,000 · PI and Co-PI should be from the same organisation · PI and Co-PI should not have any ongoing funded projects from MoHERI · Confirmation and details of cash/material/in-kind contribution in writing to be attached with the proposal |
| Selection criteria: | Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of:
· Alignment to CFP described theme/challenge research areas · Applicant knowledge of and experience with the area · Capability of carrying out the work · Inter-sectoral collaboration · Potential impact and expected outcomes of the project · Adaptation of the outcomes by the stakeholders · Dissemination strategies |
| Key dates/deadlines: | · 19 March 2025 CFP released
· 30 May 2025 Full Proposals due · 1 July 2025 for pending relevant ethical approval letters |
| How to Submit: | Submissions should be made as an ‘SRP Application’ on the MoHERI website (rims.trc.gov.om)
Please ensure respective ethical approvals are obtained (as appropriate). |
Strategic Research Programme Guideline
RIMS Proposal Submission Guideline
(Video)
SRP Health 2025 Announcement-1
SRP Health 2025 Announcement-2
