Launch of the Researchers in Service of the Guests of God Award 2 – Details and Prizes
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the Hajj and Umrah system through innovative scientific solutions, 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. This initiative, themed “Towards Research Innovation that Enriches the Hajj and Umrah Experience,” builds upon the great success of the first edition in 2025 and embodies the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to developing services for visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
National context and ambitious vision
This award derives its paramount importance from its direct alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the "Guests of God Service Program," which aims to transform the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage experience. The Kingdom is harnessing all its human and technological resources to make the Hajj and Umrah seasons a seamless and safe spiritual journey. In this context, scientific research serves as a pivotal tool for addressing the growing operational challenges posed by the increasing number of pilgrims. The award aims to translate academic ideas into practical, real-world projects.
Empowering competencies and integrating efforts
The award primarily aims to motivate national talent among students, researchers, and faculty members to offer innovative solutions to real-world challenges. The Ministry of Education plays a pivotal role in this by guiding universities' research efforts toward priority national issues. The award targets two main categories:
- Undergraduate and graduate students (inside and outside the Kingdom).
- Faculty members, independent researchers, and staff of research institutions.
The award also allows for individual and group participation, which promotes teamwork and research collaboration.
8 comprehensive themes to cover all aspects
To ensure the comprehensiveness of the solutions provided, the Executive Committee identified eight key areas covering all aspects of the pilgrim's journey, namely:
- Digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications.
- Community excellence in guest service.
- Environmental sustainability in the holy sites.
- Crowd management and public safety.
- Health and preventive services.
- Logistics and smart transportation.
- The economy and supporting services.
- Data governance and institutional integration.
Valuable prizes and an implementation timeline
The award includes substantial financial prizes totaling SAR 1,625,000, with the first-place winner in each category receiving SAR 100,000 and the second-place winner SAR 75,000, in addition to three special awards for outstanding independent research. Support extends beyond financial assistance to include consultancy services for developing and implementing the winning projects, ensuring their lasting impact.
Submissions will be accepted until the end of August 2026, with results to be announced in October of the same year. Winners will be honored at an official ceremony during the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in November 2026, providing them with a global platform to showcase their innovations to experts and specialists from around the world.
