Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation is a Dubai-based foundation advancing knowledge, education, research, innovation, and Arabic-language development.
MBRF works to expand access to knowledge, strengthen education, support research and entrepreneurship, and promote Arabic as a language of culture, learning, and innovation.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation was launched in May 2007 by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The foundation was established to support Dubai and the UAE’s role as centres for knowledge and research. Its work focuses on future generations, knowledge-based societies, sustainable solutions, research, innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and the Arabic language.
MBRF primarily operates through knowledge programs, platforms, forums, awards, partnerships, and research initiatives rather than a clearly disclosed open grantmaking model. Its work includes funding or supporting research projects, activities, and initiatives; developing digital knowledge platforms; organizing major events; and partnering with entities such as UNDP, UNESCO, LinkedIn, Coursera, and knowledge institutions.
MBRF has built a long-running knowledge ecosystem across the Arab region and internationally. Its Global Knowledge Project has produced knowledge reports, indexes, foresight work, and skills initiatives. The Knowledge Summit reports 10 past editions, 1.1K+ sessions, 2.1K+ speakers, 1.3M+ attendees, and 400M+ reach. Bil Arabi reports 3.5 billion views for the Arabic hashtag. FutureSkills4All reported about 10,000 learners and more than 114,000 learning hours in its first year.
Key collaborations include UNDP on the Global Knowledge Project, Knowledge Summit, Youth Knowledge Forum, and Future Skills Academy; UNESCO and UNDP on the Literacy Challenge; LinkedIn on the Arab Professionals Forum; and Coursera on FutureSkills4All. The Digital Knowledge Hub also references content partners from Dubai government and Arab institutions.
MBRF’s work is structured around three main pillars: education, entrepreneurship, and research and development. Its goals include developing the intellectual and cultural role of Arabic, building knowledge-related human capital, and improving scientific research. The foundation’s quality policy states that it manages knowledge programs and initiatives according to quality standards and references ISO 9001:2015 quality-management requirements. Its knowledge-management policy emphasizes knowledge production, dissemination, human-capital development, Arabic-language status, knowledge sharing, and knowledge protection.