The United Arab Emirates has launched a new scientific initiative aimed at increasing rainfall through advanced cloud seeding technologies, as part of its long term strategy to address water scarcity and enhance national water security.

The programme is led by the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) and will provide research grants of up to $1.5 million to scientists developing environmentally safe and innovative rainfall enhancement methods. Each selected project will receive funding over three years, with annual support capped at $550,000.

Three international researchers have been chosen for the first phase of the initiative from a pool of 140 proposals submitted by scientists representing 48 countries. The selected experts are based in the United States, Germany, and Australia, highlighting the global reach of the programme.

The research will explore new cloud seeding materials, land-based seeding techniques, and the use of artificial intelligence to improve rainfall efficiency. AI tools will analyse weather patterns and cloud behaviour to identify the most suitable clouds for seeding increasing the success rate of operations.

With minimal natural rainfall, the UAE relies heavily on desalination and already conducts hundreds of cloud seeding flights annually. Officials say the new initiative will support agriculture strengthen water reserves and offer solutions for other arid regions worldwide.