The Dubai Initiative (DI) was a joint venture between the Dubai School of Government (DSG) and the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University. Established in 2004, it was based at the Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. The Dubai Initiative was closed on 31 December 2011.
The initiative ran an annual fellowship program for doctoral candidates, post-doctoral researchers, and practitioners in policy-relevant fields related to the Middle East. It also operated an internship program for students and sponsored research by faculty, students, and scholars focused on the Middle East. DI held an annual conference and public events aimed at generating ideas and debate on relevant policy issues.
The Dubai Initiative is distinct from various other programs and campaigns that use "Dubai" in their names, such as the "A Dubai Invite" tourism campaign, the "Dubai-it" work philosophy, and various smart-city and research initiatives launched by Dubai government entities. The term "Dubai initiative" in a general sense may also refer to any of these numerous government-led or private programs associated with the emirate of Dubai.
