MAKE, in partnership with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and with the support of the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, has announced the launch of the fifth edition of the Athath Fellowship, running from 5 July to 11 October 2025 at its facility in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi.

Applications open on 16 May 2025, inviting aspiring furniture entrepreneurs to explore new possibilities in furniture design. Selected candidates will be interviewed in June, ahead of the 15-week program that merges design thinking with practical strategy.

The fellowship combines two interconnected modules — furniture design and prototyping, and commercial strategy — delivered through three progressive phases. From ideation and concept development to hands-on prototyping and final fabrication, the program is designed to support the creation of full-scale, commercially viable furniture pieces.

Led by UAE-based designer Thomas Trad, the design module focuses on fabrication techniques, material exploration and detailing. The commercial track will guide participants through value proposition building, pricing strategies and market positioning. Complementary seminars by design professionals, academics and legal experts will round out the experience.

The cohort will culminate with a presentation of finished prototypes at Downtown Design in November 2025 — offering participants the chance to showcase their work to industry leaders, private clients and the wider design community.

Rooted in cultural relevance, functionality and commercial viability, the Athath Fellowship is a platform for emerging designers to launch their journey in furniture innovation and entrepreneurship.