Dubai unveils Nad Zabeel research campus in Zabeel Park

Dubai has unveiled Nad Zabeel, a research, development and innovation campus planned for Zabeel Park in central Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, witnessed the announcement on Sunday 1 November 2026, according to the Dubai Media Office and Gulf News.

What is planned

The Dubai Media Office says the campus will be overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation and will include laboratories, scientific and research centres, incubators for creative and innovation projects, leisure facilities and spaces for scientific and professional events. Focus areas listed are artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced and urban technologies, and health and environmental technologies. The name "Nad" is an Emirati word for elevated ground, reflecting the campus design.

According to the Media Office, the site lies within about one kilometre of landmarks including Burj Khalifa, DIFC, the Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers and Dubai Frame. It is expected to host global technology companies, universities, research institutes, government entities, start-ups, investors and bodies working on future legislation.

Targets and timeline

The campus is expected to bring in more than 30,000 scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs each year for programmes and events, the Media Office reports. Gulf News gives the same 30,000 figure, describing them as researchers and specialists. Construction and related operations are due to be completed within five years, under the supervision of the Dubai Future Foundation.

Nad Zabeel will serve as the incubator for Dubai's Research, Development and Innovation ecosystem, which was set up in December 2025 on the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and is also overseen by the foundation. The project supports the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate's economy by 2033.

What it means for residents and businesses

For businesses, the campus points to more accelerator and incubator capacity and closer links between investors, researchers and government in technology fields. For residents, the immediate impact is limited: the Media Office did not disclose the campus size, the investment amount, or opening phases, and Gulf News did not state the exact location. Details on access for the public, tenancy terms or application routes for start-ups have not been published, so interested companies should follow announcements from the Dubai Future Foundation.