RTPP 2026
Research, Trial & Pilot Project Program
From Innovation to Real-World Validation
Saudi-Hosted
Internationally Open
Research-to-Impact
About RTPP'2026
The Research, Trial & Pilot Project Program (RTPP) is a dedicated implementation track of the Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator, designed to enable biotechnology, life sciences, healthtech, and medtech ventures to conduct research, validation, trials, and pilot projects within Saudi Arabia’s research, clinical, and industrial environments.
The program connects selected ventures with Saudi research centers, universities, hospitals, laboratories, and industry partners, providing structured pathways to test, validate, and demonstrate real-world applications of their technologies in alignment with national biotechnology and innovation priorities.
RTPP serves as a bridge between scientific innovation and operational deployment – supporting ventures as they generate evidence, build local collaborations, and advance toward regulatory, commercial, and scale-up readiness within the Kingdom.
apply & START
Start: March 2026
Application Deadline: 26 February, 11:59 pm KSA time
Format
- Continuous Engagement
- Virtual/Hybrid
- Duration: 6 to 24 months
Eligibility
Open to selected ventures and research-driven projects (apply)
RTPP Purpose
The RTPP enables biotechnology and life sciences ventures to conduct research, validation, trials, and pilot projects within Saudi Arabia’s scientific, clinical, and industrial infrastructure. It provides a structured pathway to generate local evidence, de-risk technologies, and prepare innovations for regulatory approval, manufacturing, and market deployment in the Kingdom.
Activate Saudi research and clinical infrastructure
Generate Saudi-based evidence and validation
Accelerate pilot and demonstration projects
Enable industry and manufacturing translation
Bridge innovation with regulatory readiness
Build national translational capacity
What Startups Receive
Research, Trial & Pilot Project Program
Research
Access
Entry to Saudi laboratories, research centers, and scientific facilities
Clinical Trial
Pathways
Support in structuring and initiating Saudi-based clinical or field trials
Pilot Project
Enablement
Facilitation of real-world pilots with hospitals and industry partners
Regulatory
Guidance
Alignment with Saudi ethical, regulatory, and compliance frameworks
Data & Validation
Support
Assistance in building Saudi-based evidence and feasibility datasets
Industry
Integration
Connections to manufacturing and industrial-scale translation partners
Scientific
Mentorship
Access to domain experts guiding research and trial execution
National
Positioning
Visibility and endorsement within Saudi Arabia’s biotech ecosystem
Eligibility & Evaluation Criteria
who can apply to the RTPP
Who Can Apply (Innovation Categories)?
The Research, Trial & Pilot Project Program (RTPP) is open to selected ventures and research-driven projects in the following categories:
- Therapeutics
- Diagnostics
- Biomanufacturing & Platforms
- Industrial/Synthetic Biology
- MedTech & Devices
- Digital Health & AI
- Green Biotechnology
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have a defined technology or product concept with scientific or technical foundation
- Demonstrate a clear need for research, validation, trial, or pilot activities
- Be willing to conduct project activities within Saudi Arabia in collaboration with local partners
- Have an identifiable founding team or project leadership
- Present an initial data package, prototype, or proof-of-concept (as applicable)
Show alignment with Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology, health, or sustainability priorities.
Stage Requirements
Projects may apply if they are at one of the following stages:
- Late research / proof-of-concept
- Prototype or laboratory validation
- Pre-clinical or pre-field testing
- Clinical, field, or industrial pilot readiness
(Early idea-only projects are not eligible)
Collaboration Readiness
Applicants must demonstrate openness to:
- Partnering with Saudi research centers, laboratories, hospitals, entities or industry
- Sharing non-confidential technical information for matchmaking purposes
Structuring research or pilot agreements under Saudi regulations.
Selection Principles
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Scientific and technical merit
- Feasibility of conducting the project in Saudi Arabia
- Expected impact on Saudi innovation capacity
- Readiness for collaboration and execution
- Long-term potential for localization or scaling
Participation Duration
RTPP is a project-driven long-term program, typically ranging from 6 to 24 months, depending on project scope and validation requirements.
Application and Feedback
Applications to the Research, Trial & Pilot Project Program (RTPP) are now open and can be submitted through the application link HERE before 26 February, 11:59 PM Saudi time (GMT +3).
The selection results will be announced in early March.
All applicants will be notified individually by both email and WhatsApp, regardless of the outcome.
A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in the Kingdom
This Research, Trial & Pilot Project Program (RTPP) is a unique initiative in Saudi Arabia and one of the first of its kind internationally to integrate structured research, validation, clinical and industry pilot collaboration within a biotechnology accelerator ecosystem.
Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator
Pioneering Riyadh-based Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator, advancing biotech, healthtech and life sciences innovators’ journey, and helping to excel in the markets, while actively contributing to the Saudi innovation ecosystem