Last Update on: 15 August 2024

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1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Definitions and Acronyms
4. Objectives
5. Duration
6. Annual Allocation
7. Eligibility Criteria
8. Benefits
9. Application Procedure
10. Review and Evaluation
    
11. Expectations
    
12. Visit Report
    
13. Deadline
    
14. Acknowledgements
    
15. Implementation, Compliance, and Reporting
    
16. Compliance and Performance Indicators
    
17. Document Amendment Information
    

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of these guidelines is to support the administration of the Research with Humanity Microgrant Program.

2. SCOPE

1. These guidelines apply to the support of Microgrant Research Program that aims to empower collaboration with researchers in developing countries to address critical & global challenges faced by their communities through innovative and impactful research projects. 
   
2. Co-operation and Development
3. to address critical & global challenges faced by their communities through innovative and impactful research projects.
4. These guidelines apply to all KFUPM faculty, researchers, and external collaborators.

3. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS 

4. OBJECTIVES

1. This program aims to generate innovative and impactful research by supporting collaboration with researchers in (developing counties).
2. The program fosters open access and collaboration by creating a platform for people to connect, share their work, and learn from each other.
3. The program supports innovative and impactful research that addresses critical challenges facing humanity
4. It empowers individuals and communities to conduct research that can make a difference in their lives.
5. The program promotes exchanging knowledge between researchers from different disciplines and backgrounds.

5. DURATION

KFUPM faculty member or researcher can visit the collaborator to spend time, as well as the external collaborator can visit KFUPM. However, the total duration of the grant cannot exceed 12 months.

6. ANNUAL ALLOCATION

KFUPM is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment. Application from scholars of all backgrounds and nationalities is encouraged. The program and application acceptance are subject to institutional priorities and the availability of funding.

7. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• All professorial rank faculty members (Assistant, Associate, and full Professors) and equivalent researchers at KFUPM are eligible to apply
• The application should be jointly prepared with the collaborator.
• The host university should not be the same from where he/she has graduated
• The collaborator/faculty should be in the list of top 2% researchers in their field.
• Collaborating university will be approved first by KFUPM before processing the joint application

8. BENEFITS

The University will provide the following support to the selected applicants:

• The payment to the external collaborator will be similar to consultant payment as per the University financial policy not exceeding SAR 20,000 per year. The payment will be made through consultancy contact.
• Money for travel (both ways), computers accessories and students

9. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Researchers from the collaborating institution are encouraged to find a partner at KFUPM
2. The Principle Investigator from KFUPM will prepare a joint proposal with the external collaborator and submit the Research Proposal in the format prescribed in the DoR website and should include the following:
   • The proposal should address a critical challenge faced by the other country
   • The proposal should indicate pathway for joint publications and advancing the research with collaborator
   • The proposal must be feasible within the timeframe and budget constraints of the microgrant
   • The proposal should be aligned with the UN SDGs
3. The Research Proposal needs to be submitted online using the form (click here).
4. Letter of endorsement from the collaborating institution, confirming their acceptance of collaboration.
5. Detailed budget breakdown for the project, justifying the requested microgrant amount (maximum SAR 20K).
6. A clear timeline for the research project, outlining key milestones, travels and deliverables.
7. Address any ethical considerations related to the research project, such as informed consent and data privacy.

10. REVIEW AND EVALUATION

1. After being evaluated by the Center Directors/Department Chair, the proposals will be evaluated by the University Research Committee (URC) based and if needed input from the experts in the field will be sought.
2. The selection criteria will include:
   • Alignment of research interests in (developing countries) to address critical & global challenges faced by their communities.
   • Strength of the research proposal
   • Applicant's academic and research achievements.
   • Endorsement from the collaborating institution, and
   • Availability of fund and resources at KFUPM
3. The application could be recorded as part of the University Research Committee minutes as either:
   • Recommended for immediate approval, or
   • Not recommended for approval
4. The final approving authoring lies with the Vice President for Research and Innovation

11. EXPECTATIONS

• Develop innovative teaching methods and learning resources.
• Joint publications with the collaborator, showing evidence of knowledge exchange between KFUPM and the collaborator to tackle critical challenges faced by communities, evidence of attracting talent etc.

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12. VISIT REPORT

The program will be administered by DR and is fully responsible on supporting departments/centers to assure outcomes such as:

• Travel successfully and participate with researcher(s) in collaborating institute in formulating a research problem addressing a common challenge;
• Public seminar for KFUPM community (to be organized by KIKX)
• Faculty and researchers can apply for internal grant to continue research with collaborator.

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13. DEADLINE

There is no deadline to submit applications, it can be submitted as and when an collaboration is agreed upon between KFUPM member and external collaborator.

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14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. Proper acknowledgment of KFUPM support in all publications/presentations and other outcomes resulting from the program is mandatory.
2. Publications or other outcomes with no acknowledgement would not be considered as program outcome(s).
3. Multiple acknowledgements will be treated as per announced policy (Examples of Typical cases and acknowledgements are available at Multiple Acknowledgements Guidelines).

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15. IMPLEMENTATION, COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING

1. DR shall implement these guidelines.
2. The DR shall monitor the International Visiting Program.
3. Non-compliance with any provision in these guidelines shall be reported to DR.

16. COMPLIANCE AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

In monitoring and reviewing the implementation of these guidelines, the following compliance and performance indicators shall be used:

1. Number of applications awarded each year;
2. Submission of accomplishment reports within one months of the visit end date;
3. New externally funded projects resulted from the visit;
4. Number of collaborative journal articles (ISI/Scopus indexed) by recipients and collaborator;
5. Number of collaborative conference papers (ISI/Scopus indexed) by recipients and collaborator;
6. Number of technology transfer to KFUPM.

17. DOCUMENT AMENDMENT INFORMATION