Last Update on: 01 August 2023

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1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Definitions and Acronyms
4. Objectives
5. Annual Allocation
6. Eligibility Criteria
7. Grant Benefits and Payment
8. Application Process
9. Review and Evaluation
10. Trip Report and Request for Payment
11. Acknowledgments
12. Implementation, Compliance, and Reporting
13. Compliance and Performance Indicators
14. Document Amendment Information

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of these guidelines is to support the administration of the Virtual Conference Attendance Grant Program, where conference attendance is in virtual mode. 

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2. SCOPE

1. These guidelines apply to all monies issued to support conference attendance through virtual mode.
2. These guidelines apply to all KFUPM faculty and researchers.

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3. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS 

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4. OBJECTIVES

1. The Virtual Conference Attendance Grant Program (the program) supports the attendance of eligible KFUPM faculty and researchers at international conferences in virtual mode.
2. The program encourages faculty and researchers to interact and exchange ideas virtually with internationally renowned scholars and researchers, promote KFUPM’s research, and support the generation of innovative ideas.

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5. ANNUAL ALLOCATION

5.1 Virtual conference attendance supported by KFUPM funding through the University Internal Fund

1. There is no maximum limit on the number of virtual conference attendance grants allocated each academic year through the University Internal Fund to any individual applicant for:
• virtual conference attendance;
• making a paper presentation or invited/keynote speech;
• participating as a panelist in a plenary session

where the applicant is a KFUPM faculty member or researcher, on condition that total registration fees do not exceed $US 1,000.

2. The University will request that virtual conference organizers waive registration fees for KFUPM invited/keynote speakers.

5.2 Virtual conference attendance supported by KFUPM research grant funding (i.e., KFUPM funded research project)

One virtual conference attendance grant may be allocated each academic year to any individual applicant making a paper presentation or invited/keynote speech, or participating as a panellist in a plenary session where:

• funding is available from a KFUPM funded research project;
• the conference will take place no more than six months after the project completion date specified in the project proposal (or agreed extended project timeframes);
• the project number is specifically acknowledged in the paper that is being presented.

5.3 Virtual conference attendance supported by external funding (i.e., externally funded research project)

Subject to the terms and conditions specified by external funding agencies, there is no maximum limit of virtual conference attendance grants available to any individual applicant under externally funded projects (i.e., externally funded research projects) for virtual conference attendance.   

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6. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

6.1 Applicant Eligibility 

1. All faculty members and researchers at KFUPM are eligible to apply for virtual conference attendance grants under the University Internal Fund.
2. Subject to the terms and conditions specified by external funding agencies, all faculty members and researchers are eligible to apply for virtual conference attendance grants under externally funded projects.

6.2 Conference Eligibility 

1. The program supports virtual attendance at flagship conferences:
   • ranked as A* or A approved by DROC and the higher administration, and listed on the DROC website; and
   • indexed or having a presence in Scopus and Web of Science.
2. The program also supports virtual attendance at non-flagship conferences:
   • proposed by applicants through their respective department heads;
   • evaluated, ranked and approved as Class (B) by DROC

6.3 Conference Paper Eligibility 

1. Applicants seeking virtual conference attendance support to attend may submit an application based on acceptance of a:
   • full length paper; or
   • extended abstract; or
   • paper abstract.
2. Applicants may submit an application for a virtual conference attendance grant to attend virtually as an invited or keynote speaker.
3. Applicants seeking virtual conference attendance grants from a KFUPM funded research project may submit an application based on acceptance of a paper, extended abstract or abstract:
   • related to a funded research project;
   • that represents one of the outcomes of a funded research project.

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7. GRANT BENEFITS AND PAYMENT

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8. APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Applications must include:

   • evidence of acceptance from the conference organisers (i.e., letter of acceptance, or letter of invitation);
   • a copy of the paper or abstract where the recipient has applied to present a paper;
   • a copy of the invited/keynote speech (in PPT or PDF format), where the recipient has been invited to present.
2. All applications must be submitted through the ERP (E-Business) to the respective Department Head, for onforwarding to the CSO, such that the applications reach the CSO at least 14 days prior to the conference dates.
3. The CSO shall verify aspects of the application, including:
   • the applicant’s employment status and affiliation;
   • the status of the conference (i.e., flagship or non-flagship conference);
   • possible funding sources (i.e., University Internal Fund, KFUPM funded research project, externally funded research project).

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9. REVIEW AND EVALUATION

1. The criteria for reviewing and evaluating proposals includes the following:
   • Availability of funding for virtual conference attendance:
     • availability of KFUPM funded research project provision for conference attendance;
     • availability of external funded research project provisions.
   • Applicant eligibility:
     • employment status of applicant;
   • Conference eligibility:
     • flagship conference;
     • non-flagship conference;
   • Conference paper eligibility:
     • accepted paper, extended abstract or abstract;
     • invited or keynote speaker invitation;
2. DROC shall discuss the proposals received and either:
   • recommend for immediate approval; or
   • not recommend for approval.
3. The CSO shall advise the applicants of DROC’s decision. 

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10. CONFERENCE REPORT AND REQUEST FOR PAYMENT

1. With the completion of the virtual conference, the recipient should submit to the CSO:
   • a conference report in the ERP (E-Business);
   • a soft copy of the conference proceedings (as provided by the conference organisers);
   • invoices pertaining to the conference registration fee and proof of payment (e.g., receipt or bank statement).
2. The Finance Department shall make payment to the recipient.

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11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

1. Proper acknowledgment of KFUPM affiliation and virtual conference attendance support (along with the project number, where relevant) in abstracts, publications and other outcomes is mandatory.
2. Multiple acknowledgements in project outcomes should be treated according to the Multiple Project Acknowledgement Guidelines. 

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12. IMPLEMENTATION, COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING

1. DROC shall implement these guidelines.
2. Non-compliance with any provision in these guidelines shall be reported to DROC.  

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13. 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 virtual conference applications received, approved and rejected each year;
2. Number of faculty members and researchers applying for and receiving support for virtual conference attendance;
3. Level of funding support for virtual conference attendance each year.  

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14. DOCUMENT AMENDEMTN INFORMATION

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