“Hajj and Umrah” and “Education” Launch National Research Award to Enhance Pilgrims’ Experience
"الحج والعمرة" و"التعليم" تطلقان جائزة بحثية وطنية لتجويد تجربة ضيوف الرحمن
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has launched the second edition of the “Researchers in the Service of Pilgrims” Award, under the theme “Toward Research Innovation that Enriches the Pilgrim Experience.” The initiative builds on the success of its first edition in 2025 and reflects ongoing national efforts to advance applied research and foster innovation within the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The award aims to empower national talent and encourage students and researchers to develop innovative, field-based solutions to real-world challenges. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration between universities and executive entities, contributing to an enhanced experience for pilgrims and reinforcing the Kingdom’s global leadership in crowd management and Hajj and Umrah services. The Ministry of Education’s participation supports its broader role in enabling scientific research and motivating universities to align research outputs with national priorities, while strengthening ties between academic institutions and service sectors to ensure impactful, application-driven outcomes. The award targets two main categories: undergraduate and postgraduate students—both within the Kingdom and internationally—as well as faculty members, independent researchers, and professionals from research institutions. Submissions may include individual or group projects, in addition to joint initiatives between students and researchers. Eight key tracks are covered, including: digital transformation and artificial intelligence, community excellence in serving pilgrims, environmental sustainability in the Holy Sites, crowd management and public safety, healthcare and preventive services, logistics and smart mobility, economic and supporting services, and data governance and institutional integration. The joint executive committee announced that prize values amount to SAR 100,000 for first place and SAR 75,000 for second place in each track, along with three special awards for outstanding independent research. The total prize pool reaches SAR 1,625,000. The award also offers support and advisory opportunities to help develop and implement winning projects. The committee noted that registration dates will be announced soon عبر the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, encouraging interested students and researchers to follow the platform for updates on eligibility criteria and participation guidelines. Submissions will be accepted until the end of August 2026, with results announced in October 2026. Winners will be honored during the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in November 2026. The committee invited all interested participants to follow the official platform for updates and to register once applications open via: https://www.haj.gov.sa/Home , emphasizing that the award represents a valuable opportunity to harness research and innovation in service of pilgrims and further enhance the Kingdom’s leadership in this vital sector."