In a significant development, the Saudi Ministry of Culture has formally endorsed the acceptance of 20 research papers submitted from both domestic and international researchers for the prestigious “Saudi Coffee Research” grant. Launched in December 2022 in collaboration with the Saudi Coffee Company, a key entity under the Public Investment Fund umbrella, the grant is specifically designed for researchers and specialists with a keen interest in diverse facets of coffee.

Successful researchers will receive comprehensive financial and scientific support throughout the research process, extending to the publication of scientific papers. This initiative aims to enrich cultural research output pertaining to Saudi coffee, acknowledged as an intangible cultural heritage, thereby playing a pivotal role in advancing the national cultural product.

The grant encompasses three principal tracks. The first track focuses on coffee in the Arabian Peninsula, delving into its historical roots, manufacturing evolution, and dissemination within the Kingdom. The second track is dedicated to exploring the intangible cultural heritage associated with Saudi coffee, including the examination of knowledge, skills, social traditions, practices, and cultural handicrafts intertwined with it. The third track seeks to elevate and advance local content by supporting Saudi coffee production, thereby enhancing its competitiveness and contributing to the Kingdom’s transition towards a sustainable economy.

This initiative was strategically included within the framework of the “Year of Saudi Coffee 2022” initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture with the backing of the Quality of Life Program—a key component of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. In collaboration with the Culinary Arts Authority, the initiative aims to scrutinize the Saudi coffee market, preserve national cultural legacies and values, underscore the intangible heritage linked with Saudi coffee, bolster national identity, and promote Saudi coffee culture on the global stage.

Applications for the “Saudi Coffee Research” grants were opened on December 18, 2022. This initiative underscores a concerted effort to enhance cultural production through research endeavors focused on Saudi coffee, aligning with its status as an intangible cultural heritage intertwined with natural heritage and traditional culinary arts. The grants target a diverse range of researchers and specialists, both within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to advancing knowledge in various coffee-related fields.

KSA

Saudi Ministry of Culture Approves 20 Research Papers for “Saudi Coffee Research” Grant