Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation

The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation was established in 1978 as the social responsibility arm of the Arab Bank to promote culture, arts, literature, and scientific research in Jordan and the Arab world. It was named after the late founder of the Arab Bank.

  • Organisation type Corporate foundation
  • Year founded 1978
  • Headquartered Amman
  • Registration Jordan
  • Website https://www.shoman.org

Related sustainable development goals

  • Quality Education
  • Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Reduced Inequalities
  • Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Focus areas

Focus sectors

  • Arts
    • Cultural awareness
    • Arts & Culture
    • Humanities
      • Literature and writing
  • Development
    • Sustainable development
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Science
    • Engineering
    • Technology

Focus populations

  • Academics
  • Artists and performers
  • Students

Focus geographies

  • Middle East
    • Jordan
    • Palestine

Partners

  • “Watar” Association for Culture and Information
  • Al-Saeed Foundation for Science and Culture
  • Arab Science and Technology Foundation
  • Arab Thought Forum
  • Centre for Arab Unity Studies
  • Dubai Municipality
  • Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils
  • Haya Cultural Center
  • Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage
  • Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences
  • Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
  • Kuwait Water Association
  • Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation
  • Noor Al-Hussein Foundation
  • Royal Film Commission
  • Royal Library of Alexandria
  • Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation
  • UNICEF
  • University of Jordan

Programmes

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab researchers

    The award was established by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in 1982 - making it the first Arab award focussing on scientific research and specifically awarding Arab researchers. Each winner of this award receives a prize of US$ 20,000.

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Creative Production for Children and Adolescents (Abdeh)

    An award established by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation for children and youth between the ages of 8 and 18 years old in Jordan who are excelling in the fields of literature, performing arts, visual arts, and scientific innovation. Winners of the award receive a prize of $1,000.

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Children’s Literature Award

    An award established by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation to recognise Arab creative writers (aged 18 years and above) who submit original unpublished fiction novels dedicated to young readers. The first prize winner receives around US$ 14,000, and the second and third place recieive $7k and $4.2k respectively.

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Forum

    A cultural club established by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in 1986 through which the foundation holds events and hosts Arab and international intellectuals, academics, and writers from Arab countries and the world. Events include public lectures, debates, panels, seminars, and discussions. 

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation grants

    The foundation provides grants in Jordan and Palestine in the fields of culture, arts and literature, and thought leadership. The value of the grant is equivalent to a maximum of US$ 42,000.

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Innovation Award

    Launched by the foundation in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this award aims to support the ideation and scaling of Jordanian innovations and startups with a positive social impact and solutions that help the community adapt to a post-pandemic world. Themes include healthcare and biomedical technology, labour market and economic productivity solutions, education solutions, agricultural solutions, culture and arts, and green technology and environmental sustainability.

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Research Support Fund

    The fund was established by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in 1999 to provide financial support for scientific research conducted in Jordan.

  • Abdul Hameed Shoman Library

    Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation established Jordan's first fully computarized public library in 1986. Today, the public library has four branches across Jordan, and holds regular events such as workshops, book clubs, poetry evenings, reading competitions, and other activities. It also provides services such as tablet loans, and access to an e-library and online databases.

  • Shoman Cinema film department

    Launched in 1989 by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, the department hosts film discussions, workshops, and screenings focussed on productions made by Arabs or made in the Arab world.

  • Shoman Cultural Days

    Cultural events hosted across Jordan with different editions in Jabal Amman, Irbit, Aqaba, and Al Karak. 

Financials

Funding model

  • Foundation-administered programme awards
  • Grants to Individuals
  • Grants to organisations
  • Pro bono services
  • Programme related investment

Primary funders

  • Arab Bank

Funding source

  • Corporate

Operations

Key staff

  • Valentina Kassisieh, CEO

Board members

  • Alia Bouran
  • Khalid Al Irani
  • Mamdouh Al Abbadi
  • Muna Sukhtian
  • Nedjma Saifi
  • Omar Aljazy
  • Sabih Al Masri

Contact details