Launch of the second edition of the Researchers in Service of the Guests of God Award

In a move reflecting the government's integrated efforts to serve pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, announced the launch of the second edition of the "Researchers in Service of the Guests of God" award, under the slogan "Towards Research Innovation that Enriches the Hajj and Umrah Experience." This initiative builds upon the great success of the first edition in 2025 and is part of the ongoing national efforts to activate the role of applied scientific research in developing the Hajj and Umrah system.

National context and ambitious vision

This award derives its paramount importance from its close alignment with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes serving pilgrims and aims to host 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. This ambitious objective necessitates a qualitative transformation in operational and management mechanisms, relying primarily on scientific solutions and technological innovations. For years, the Kingdom has been harnessing all its human and material resources to facilitate the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, with scientific research serving as the cornerstone for transforming practical challenges into opportunities for sustainable improvement.

Award objectives and target groups

The award primarily aims to motivate national talent and empower students and researchers to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing the system. The award targets two main categories:

• Undergraduate and graduate students (inside and outside the Kingdom).
• Faculty members, independent researchers, and staff of research institutions.

Through this partnership, the Ministry of Education seeks to direct the research compass in universities towards priority national issues, thus strengthening the link between theory and practice.

8 comprehensive routes to cover all services

To ensure the comprehensiveness of the solutions provided, the Executive Committee identified eight key areas covering all aspects of the pilgrim's journey, namely:

1. Digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications.
2. Community excellence in guest service.
3. Environmental sustainability in the holy sites.
4. Crowd management and public safety.
5. Health and preventive services.
6. Logistics and smart transportation.
7. The economy and supporting services.
8. Data governance and institutional integration.

Expected impact and global leadership

The significance of this award extends beyond the local level, solidifying the Kingdom's position as a leading global authority in crowd management and the organization of mass events. The research findings of this award are expected to contribute to the development of innovative and applicable business models, enhancing operational efficiency, mitigating risks, and ensuring a smooth and safe spiritual experience for pilgrims and Umrah performers from around the world.

Awards and schedule

The committee has allocated substantial cash prizes totaling 1,625,000 riyals, with the first-place winner in each category receiving 100,000 riyals and the second-place winner receiving 75,000 riyals, in addition to special prizes for outstanding independent research. The award also provides consulting support for developing and implementing the winning projects.

The committee explained that the period for receiving submissions will continue until the end of August 2026, and the results will be announced in October of the same year, with the winners being crowned at a special ceremony during the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in November 2026. The committee invited those wishing to participate to follow the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to view the details and the date for opening registration.