Researchers in Service of the Guests of God Award: Registration Open for the Second Cycle
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, has announced the opening of registration for the second edition of the Researchers in Service of the Guests of God Award, launched this year under the theme “Research Innovation that Enriches the Hajj and Umrah Experience.” This initiative offers substantial financial prizes totaling 1.625 million Saudi Riyals, aiming to support scientific innovation and stimulate applied research in various fields related to the Hajj and Umrah sector, thereby ensuring the provision of the highest quality services to visitors of the Holy Mosque.
An ambitious vision for developing the Hajj and Umrah sector
The launch of this award is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to develop the Hajj and Umrah system, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to host more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by the end of this decade. Historically, the Kingdom has consistently dedicated all its human and technological resources to facilitating Hajj and Umrah rituals. Today, scientific research and innovation are the cornerstones of enhancing these services, with the partnership between the Ministries of Hajj and Education working to bridge the gap between academic research and practical field application in the Holy Sites.
Target groups for the Researchers in Service of the Guests of God Award
The award targets two main categories of promising scientific talents. The first category includes undergraduate and graduate students at Saudi and international universities, providing young people with an opportunity to present their innovative ideas. The second category comprises faculty members, independent researchers, and staff of specialized research centers. The award allows for individual or group project submissions and encourages collaborative initiatives between students and researchers to foster the exchange of expertise, knowledge transfer, and the development of practical solutions.
Eight strategic pillars for shaping the future of services
The award focuses on eight key areas that address the actual needs of pilgrims and contribute to a broad local, regional, and international impact. These areas include: digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications; enhancing the spiritual and cultural experience; environmental sustainability in the holy sites; crowd management and public safety; health and preventative services; smart transportation and logistics; economics and support services; and data governance. The success of these areas will not only have an impact within Saudi Arabia but will also provide a global model for managing large crowds and delivering humanitarian and religious services worldwide.
Details of financial prizes and incentive benefits
The organizing committee has allocated substantial cash prizes for the winners. The first-place winner in each of the eight categories will receive 100,000 Saudi Riyals, while the second-place winner will receive 75,000 Saudi Riyals. In addition, three extra prizes have been designated for the best independent research. The award is not limited to financial support; it also offers significant intangible benefits, including official certificates of appreciation and access to technical support and specialized consultations to transform the winning research and innovations into practical projects that serve pilgrims and Umrah performers. The executive committee invites those interested in participating to visit the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to review the terms and conditions and register.
