RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Saudi Coffee Co., announced on Sunday that it is accepting applications for its “Saudi Coffee Research” grants, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The purpose of the grants is to promote cultural awareness through research on Saudi coffee and its connection to national identity, natural heritage and traditional culinary arts. It also intends to stimulate the region’s coffee industry.  The grants are available to Saudi and international researchers and specialists interested in various fields of coffee.  The grants support three primary research paths. The first explores the origins of coffee on the Arabian Peninsula and the most significant historical periods and events associated with it.  The second focuses on the relationship between Saudi coffee as cultural heritage and oral forms of expression such as poetry, performance arts, music, social practices, rituals and festive events.  The third path concerns the promotion of local coffee production that is compatible with sustainable economic growth.  The grant is part of the Year of Saudi Coffee 2022 initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture and supported by the Quality of Life Program to celebrate the local household staple and its cultural value.