1 November 2026
On Sunday 1 November 2026 Dubai announced Nad Zabeel, a research, development and innovation campus in Zabeel Park that is set to be built within five years. The campus will focus on artificial intelligence, advanced technology and health care and will bring universities, technology companies, investors and government departments into one location, with laboratories, research centres, incubators and accelerator programmes. More than 30,000 scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs are expected to take part in its programmes and events every year. The project supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033. The budget, the size of the site and the terms for companies have not been published.
What Dubai announced on 1 November 2026
Nad Zabeel was announced in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The project was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation.
Dubai Media Office describes Nad Zabeel as Dubai’s Future RDI Campus, and in his own announcement Sheikh Mohammed called it the Dubai Future Research Hub. He said the campus aims to attract 30,000 researchers and specialists who will use its services to develop sectors closely linked to human life. The name draws on the Emirati word “nad”, which means elevated ground.
Sheikh Hamdan described the campus as a global centre that brings scientific research, development and innovation together to turn knowledge into new economic and development opportunities. Its stated goal is to attract leading scientists, researchers, engineers and other specialised talent from the UAE and from abroad.
What the campus will include
According to the announcement, Nad Zabeel will combine research facilities, company space and events in one place. The plan includes:
- laboratories, scientific and research centres;
- creative and innovation incubators and accelerator programmes for promising companies;
- a base for entities developing future legislation;
- space for start-ups and for local and international investment companies;
- dedicated spaces for scientific and professional events and gatherings;
- leisure facilities.
The incubator and accelerator programmes are meant to strengthen collaboration between government, investors, researchers and start-ups and to help young companies access the investment they need to grow and scale.
Who runs it: Dubai Future Foundation and the RDI Ecosystem
Nad Zabeel will be central to the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Ecosystem, which was established under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan in December 2025. The ecosystem is overseen by Dubai Future Foundation and acts as an umbrella for current and future research, development and innovation projects. It supports government and private sector bodies in Dubai and across the UAE in developing ideas based on emerging technologies.
The campus joins institutions that Dubai already operates in this field: the Museum of the Future, Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Future Accelerators, Dubai Future Labs and Dubai Future Academy. In Sheikh Hamdan’s words, these institutions anticipate change, develop talent, test solutions and turn ideas into practical applications, and Nad Zabeel is the next addition to that system.
Key facts in one table
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announced | Sunday 1 November 2026 |
| Location | Zabeel Park, Dubai |
| Construction timeline | Within five years |
| Focus areas | Artificial intelligence, advanced technology, health care |
| Expected participants | More than 30,000 scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs a year |
| Framework | Dubai RDI Ecosystem, overseen by Dubai Future Foundation |
| Policy link | Dubai Economic Agenda D33 |
| Budget, site area, admission terms | Not published |
How Nad Zabeel fits the D33 agenda
The Dubai Economic Agenda D33 comprises 100 transformative projects. Its targets are to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and to keep Dubai among the world’s top three cities for business. Nad Zabeel is presented as one of the projects supporting these targets through research and innovation.
The campus also adds to recent steps in the same sectors. In artificial intelligence, DIFC hosts the Dubai AI Campus, where Scale AI announced its UAE office, as we covered in our article on Scale AI opening a UAE office at DIFC Dubai AI Campus. In health care, the emirate approved the strategy of the Dubai Longevity Authority, which we described in the article on the Dubai Longevity Authority strategy.
What is not known yet
The announcement sets the direction, the location and the timeline. Several details that matter for companies have not been disclosed at the time of publication:
- the budget of the project and the size of the site;
- the construction phases and the date when the first facilities open;
- which universities, technology companies and investors will take part;
- the criteria for start-ups and companies to join incubators and accelerators;
- whether companies will be licensed on the campus itself and by which authority;
- the terms for renting laboratory or office space.
What it means for companies and founders
Nad Zabeel is a construction project with a five-year horizon, so there is nothing to apply for today. It shows which sectors Dubai is prioritising: artificial intelligence, advanced technology and health care, with funding access for start-ups through accelerator and incubator programmes.
For founders in these sectors the practical question is the legal base in the UAE. Working with government entities, signing contracts, hiring staff and receiving investment all go through a licensed company, and the choice between a free zone and the mainland affects activities, office requirements and visa quota. Our UAE company formation guide explains the main routes and the documents involved.
For research teams the second question is talent. The campus targets scientists, engineers and specialists from abroad, and each of them needs a residence visa, either through an employer, a company they own or a long-term category such as the Golden Visa.
Checklist for tech and health founders
- Follow official announcements from Dubai Future Foundation and Dubai Media Office for the opening date and admission criteria.
- Check whether your activity in artificial intelligence, advanced technology or health care is covered by your current trade licence.
- Compare free zone and mainland options before choosing where to license a research or technology company.
- Plan residence visas for researchers and engineers you intend to hire from abroad.
- Keep corporate documents, cap table and financial statements ready for investor due diligence.
How Atlant Capital can help
We help founders and investors set up a company in the UAE: choosing the free zone or mainland jurisdiction, the licence activities and the structure, through our company setup service. We also arrange investor, partner and employee visas and family sponsorship through our work visa and residency service, so a research or technology team can relocate and start work in Dubai on a clear legal basis.
Conclusion
Nad Zabeel is Dubai’s new research, development and innovation campus in Zabeel Park, to be built within five years for more than 30,000 scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs a year in artificial intelligence, advanced technology and health care. It is part of the Dubai RDI Ecosystem under Dubai Future Foundation and of the D33 agenda. The budget, the opening phases and the terms for companies are still to be announced.
Source: The National.
FAQ
What is Nad Zabeel in Dubai?
Nad Zabeel is a research, development and innovation campus announced by Dubai on 1 November 2026. It will be built in Zabeel Park within five years and will bring universities, technology companies, investors and government departments together, with laboratories, research centres, incubators and accelerators focused on artificial intelligence, advanced technology and health care.
How many people is Nad Zabeel designed for?
More than 30,000 scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs are expected to take part in its programmes and events every year. The campus aims to attract scientists, engineers and specialised talent from the UAE and from abroad.
Who manages Nad Zabeel?
The campus will be central to the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Ecosystem, established in December 2025 and overseen by Dubai Future Foundation. The project was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation.
Can a start-up join Nad Zabeel now?
Not yet. As of 1 November 2026 the admission criteria, the opening date and the licensing arrangements have not been published. Founders who want to work in Dubai in the meantime need a licensed UAE company in a free zone or on the mainland.
