Last Update on: 01 August 2023

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1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Definitions and Acronyms
4. Objectives
5. Eligibility Criteria
6. Grant Benefits
7. Application Documentation
8. Review and Evaluation
9. Acknowledgments
10. Implementation, Compliance, and Reporting
11. Compliance and Performance Indicators
12. Document Amendment Information

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of these guidelines is to support the administration of the Dhahran Techno Valley Collaborative Research Grant Program (the program).    

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2. SCOPE

1. These guidelines apply to internally-funded grants issued under the Dhahran Techno Valley Collaborative Research Grant Program.   
2. These guidelines apply to all KFUPM faculty and researchers.

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3. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS 

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4. OBJECTIVES

4.1 The program aims to:

1. foster research collaboration with DTV companies in areas of mutual interest;
2. promote basic and exploratory research in areas that would otherwise be too risky for companies to be entirely responsible for at first;
3. promote collaborative research that is anticipated to evolve into larger more applied research, which can then be adopted by industry to eventually produce solutions and products;
4. promote co-publishing of high-quality papers in internationally renowned journals and the joint-filing of patents involving collaborations between KFUPM and DTV companies;
5. facilitate increased exposure of KFUPM researchers and students to industrial problems and experiences.
   

4.2 Projects funded through this program are expected to result in:

1. high-quality publications involving both KFUPM and DTV researchers; and/or
2. the formation of a more applied research project, based on an idea that matured through this grant, that is of interest to the concerned DTV company in the form of a client-funded (or a collaborative research) project.
   

4.3 Projects funded through this program may also result in other forms of IP outcomes that may be shared by both the University and the DTV company.

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5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

5.1 Applicant Eligibility

1. KFUPM faculty members and researchers who share research interests with companies in the DTV are eligible to apply for Dhahran Techno Valley Collaborative Research Grants as:
   • the PI; or
   • a Co-I.
2. Applications must include researchers external to KFUPM from the DTV company as full and active collaborators. Collaborators from the DTV company are eligible to apply as Co-Is only.
3. DTV company collaborators are eligible where they intend:

• acting as mediators to market the idea to the company in the search for additional funds to continue further with the project;
• being heavily involved in all the phases of the project, including proposal writing. 

5.2 Financial Proposal Eligibility

1. Applications require an equivalent amount of matching funding from the DTV company, bringing total project budgets to a maximum of SR 200,000.
2. Matching funds may include both cash and non-monetary in-kind contributions, comprising:
   • access to the DTV company facilities for use of equipment;
   • involvement of DTV company representative(s) in the research team;
   • facilitation of availability of chemicals and materials, even if they are charged to KFUPM during the initial phase;
   • joint authorship on research project outcomes published in internationally renowned journals, presented at international conferences, and shared with the public media.

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6. GRANT BENEFITS 

1. The program will award a maximum of SR 100,000 per grant for an 18-month project.
2. The program will fund only the following:
   • Publication Charges
   • Stationery
   • Materials & Consumables as needed
   • Only Minor Equipment & Spares
3. Under special consideration, a project may be extended by six months, without any additional grant funds.  

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7. APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION

Applications must be submitted electronically via Abhathi by the PI using the proposal format prescribed by DR, along with collaboration agreements from the concerned DTV company. 

Applications must also include copy of the collaboration agreements. 

7.1 Budget Preparation

1. Applicants are required to state:
   • the grant amount sought (up to a maximum of SR 100,000);
   • the source and amount of matching funds and non-monetary in-kind contributions (equivalent to, or exceeding the grant amount sought).
2. Applicants are required to submit a detailed proposed budget itemising and justifying:
   • materials and consumables (e.g., chemicals);
   • minor equipment and spares;
   • publication charges to a maximum of SR 13,500;
   • stationery to a maximum of SR 300;
   • other costs.
3. The budget must also indicate cash and/or in-kind contributions for the project.

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8. REVIEW AND EVALUATION

1. The proposed budget will be reviewed by the Research Office.
2. A special committee established by DR will review applications against the following criteria:
   • clear relationship between project and technology area of benefits to KFUPM;
   • project novelty and importance;
   • technology readiness level of the project outcomes;
   • clarity in the role of each team member;
   • value and impact of the involvement of the DTV company in the project;
   • facilities and resources available to support the proposed research;
   • direct and indirect budget contribution of KFUPM and the DTV company;
   • team size proportionate to the commitment and contribution from both parties.
3. The special committee may seek the opinion of experts where required.
4. The special committee shall make recommendations to the Research Committee.
5. The Research Committee shall either:
   • recommend for immediate approval; or
   • not recommend for approval.
6. Applicants will be advised accordingly by the Research Office.
7. For successful applicants, the Research Office will convey an itemized budget to the PI before the official start of the project. 
   

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9. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. Proper acknowledgment of KFUPM affiliation and internally-funded research grant support (along with the project number) in all publications and other outcomes is mandatory.
2. Publications or other outcomes with no acknowledgement of the project number will not be considered as part of that project.
3. Multiple acknowledgements in project outcomes should be treated according to the Multiple Project Acknowledgement Guideline.

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10. IMPLEMENTATION, COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING

1. DR and ITT shall implement these guidelines.
2. The # Committee shall monitor projects supported by Dhahran Techno Valley Collaborative Research Grants.
3. PIs shall provide progress and final reports to the Research Committee. Reporting requirements include:
   • six monthly progress reports, including a detailed financial report; and
   • a final report, within 30 days of the end of the grant period.
4. Progress reports shall be evaluated jointly by the Research Committee and the DTV company.
5. Non-compliance with any provision in these guidelines shall be report to DR.

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11. COMPLIANCE AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

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

1. achievement of funded project milestones;
2. achievement of funded project deadlines;
3. submission of funded project progress and final reports;
4. number of mid-course revisions to funded projects.

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12. DOCUMENT AMENDEMTN INFORMATION

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