In response to the directives of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and his continued emphasis on the importance of rewarding research excellence and innovation, and building and developing the research capacity of the Emirati students in higher education institutions inside and outside the UAE, and due to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research keenness on honoring Emirati innovators in undergraduate and graduate education inside and outside the State, and in line with the UAE Vision 2021 and the National Innovation Strategy for 2015, the Innovation Pioneers Award has been launched to be a motivation to encourage Emirati students to conduct scientific research and innovation. The Award aims to promote the spirit of innovation and research in UAE undergraduate and graduate students, support the innovators, and encourage them to actively contribute to building a competitive knowledge-based economy for the UAE. It also aims to translate scientific research and ideas of students into innovative and economically applicable projects, and effectively contribute to the achievement of social and economic development of the State.  The Award is divided into two major awards: Best Scientific and Technological Innovation Award, and Best Innovative Research Award. The Best Scientific and Technological Innovation Award includes four categories: Undergraduate Students Abroad Award, Graduate Students Abroad Award, Undergraduate Students of Government and Accredited Private Higher Education Institutions in the State Award, and Graduate Students of Government and Accredited Private Higher Education Institutions in the State Award. As for the Best Innovative Research Award, it includes three specialized areas: The Best Innovative Research for Scientific and Engineering Disciplines Award, the Best Innovative Research for Medical Specialties and Health Sciences Award, and the Best Innovative Research for Humanities and Social Disciplines Award, and it also includes the aforesaid four categories for each of the specialized areas for this Award, namely, the scientific and engineering disciplines, medical specialties and health sciences, and humanities and social disciplines. To view the Award Guide, fill out the participation form, and learn how to apply for the Award, its fields, conditions of submission, and evaluation criteria, please visit the website of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on the following link: http://www.mohesr.gov.ae/.  Those who wish to participate are requested to attach all the required documents on the link for applying for the Award, by following the specific instructions for download on the website, noting that the deadline for accepting applications to participate is August 31st, 2015.