​​Introduction :

The institutional funding initiatives for universities, launched by the Deputyship for Research & Innovation at the Ministry of Education, serve as a key driver for strengthening university research identities and enhancing the quality of scientific research while ensuring alignment with national priorities.

Within this framework, the Institutional Funding Track to Support the Research Identity of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (Quality of Life and Well-being – Community Health – Technological and Environmental Research) was established to create a stimulating and supportive environment for advancing the University's research identity. This initiative reflects the University's vision to be a beacon of knowledge and its mission to achieve excellence and leadership in scientific research.

Through the Deanship of Scientific Research, the University has developed a strategic plan to benefit from institutional support, attract researchers, and encourage innovation by adopting and implementing a set of initiatives and research programs. This funding track represents a qualitative leap in research financing procedures, enhancing efficiency and aligning with researchers' needs to achieve the University's strategic goals—particularly in improving the quality of published research and advancing the University's global ranking, as many international classifications emphasize research productivity and publication indicators.

Program Description and Significance :

This program aims to motivate and support researchers in advancing the University's research identity by producing high-quality research outputs aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in promoting health and improving quality of life. The University's research priorities include fostering healthy lifestyles, building a culture of wellness and health, providing solutions to mitigate harmful lifestyle practices, and contributing to the prevention and treatment of associated risks.

Moreover, the University emphasizes supporting research in technology and environmental studies, strengthening the role of research capacities in shaping policies related to children's, women's, and adults' health and well-being, and enhancing the contribution of researchers across the University's scientific, engineering, health, humanities, and social science disciplines.

Budget Allocation

A total budget of 50,000 SAR is allocated per project, distributed as follows:

• First installment (25%): Disbursed upon signing the contract.
• Second installment (75%): Released after the Permanent Institutional Funding Committee approves the project's final report and verifies publication of the required research outputs, in line with the publication requirements.

Research must be published in internationally recognized journals indexed in the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection, specifically under citation indicators such as:

• Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)
• Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI)
  (Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4 only)

Publications in WOS Emerging Sources or journals without impact factors are not accepted.

Objectives :

• Leverage institutional funding to strengthen the University's research identity.
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across University departments, as well as with local, regional, and international researchers.
• Motivate faculty to direct their research efforts toward the University's strategic vision by simplifying funding procedures.
• Contribute to research-driven policymaking in the fields of health and well-being.
• Increase publications in high-impact, indexed journals (minimum output: two original research articles published in WOS Core Collection journals with impact factors).
• Enhance the University's position in global rankings and expand its presence in new classifications.
  

1. Research outputs must align with the University's research identity fields (Quality of Life, Community Health, Technological, and Environmental Research).
2. Principal Investigator (PI) must be a faculty member (Assistant Professor or higher) affiliated with the University.
3. At least one Saudi researcher affiliated with the University must be part of the team.
4. PI must publish two original research articles in indexed journals (WOS Core Collection, SCIE/SSCI, Q1–Q4).
5. Publications in predatory or banned journals are strictly prohibited.
6. Exclusive affiliation must be stated as:
   Department name/College name/Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
7. Official University email must be used in all correspondence.
8. PI must be either the first author or corresponding author.
9. Projects must be completed (two articles published) within 12 months of contract signing.
10. Acknowledgment of funding must be stated as:
    “The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, for funding this research work through the project number XXXX."

Procedures:

• Applications are submitted electronically via the program's official channels.
• Proposals are reviewed by the University's Institutional Funding Committee.
• Approved researchers will receive an official grant number and contract.
• The PI must sign and return the contract electronically within 48 hours.
• The first installment (25%) is released upon contract signing.
• The final installment (75%) is released upon successful completion of the project and verification of published outputs.

Extensions:

Requests for project extensions must be submitted 30 days before the contract end date, including justifications and progress documentation. Extensions may be granted for up to six months, without additional funding, and limited to two times (exceptions reviewed by the Committee).

PDF File

Phase Three: Support for the Three Research Identity Tracks

nstitutional Funding Track to Support the Research Identity of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

(Quality of Life and Well-being – Community Health – Technological and Environmental Research)

Introduction

The institutional funding initiatives launched by the Deputyship for Research & Innovation at the Ministry of Education aim to strengthen the research identity of Saudi universities, advance scientific research, and ensure alignment with national priorities.

Within this framework, the Institutional Funding Track at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) was established as a foundation for creating a supportive and stimulating research environment that reflects the University's vision of becoming a beacon of knowledge and its mission of achieving excellence and leadership in scientific research.

Through the Deanship of Scientific Research, the University has presented a strategic plan aligned with the Ministry's directions, ensuring effective utilization of institutional funding, and providing an attractive environment for researchers by adopting several initiatives and programs. This track represents a qualitative leap in research financing procedures and enhances their effectiveness to meet researchers' needs and the University's strategic objectives. It also contributes to raising the quality of published research and advancing the University's global ranking, as many international classifications emphasize research productivity and publication indicators.

Program Description and Significance :

The program seeks to encourage and support researchers at PNU to conduct high-quality research aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 in promoting health and improving quality of life.

The University's research priorities include:

• Promoting positive, healthy lifestyles within the community.
• Building a culture of health, well-being, and quality of life.
• Offering solutions and recommendations to reduce unhealthy lifestyles that may negatively impact human health and safety, while contributing to prevention and treatment.
• Supporting research in the technological and environmental fields.
• Strengthening research capacities to influence policies related to the health and well-being of children, women, and adults.
• Enhancing the contribution of researchers across all University colleges in scientific, engineering, health, humanities, and social sciences disciplines.

Project Budget Allocation :

A budget of SAR 50,000 is allocated per project, disbursed in two installments:

• First installment (25%): Upon contract signing.
• Second installment (75%): Upon approval of the final report and submission of published research papers, as per program conditions.

Publications must be in journals indexed in the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection, specifically under:

• Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)
• Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI)
  (Q1–Q4 categories only).

Publications in WOS Emerging Sources or in journals without an impact factor are not accepted.

Objectives :

• Maximize the benefits of institutional funding to strengthen the University's research identity.
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across University departments and with national, regional, and international researchers.
• Motivate faculty to align their research with the University's priorities by simplifying and enhancing funding procedures.
• Contribute to research-driven policy development in community health and well-being.
• Increase the number of publications in high-impact, indexed journals (minimum requirement: two original articles published in WOS Core Collection journals, Q1–Q4).
• Elevate the University's position in international rankings and expand its presence in new classifications.

Application and Publication Conditions:

1. Project outputs must align with the University's research identity fields (Quality of Life, Community Health, Technology, and Environment).
2. The Principal Investigator (PI) must:
• Be at least an Assistant Professor or higher, affiliated with the University or its medical centers.
• Not be on sabbatical, research leave, or exceptional leave during the project period.
• If contracted, provide proof of employment continuation at PNU for at least one year from the contract date.
3. At least one team member must be a Saudi national affiliated with PNU.
4. The PI must commit to publishing two original research articles (Articles) in WOS Core Collection journals (SCIE/SSCI, Q1–Q4).
5. Publications in predatory or banned journals are strictly prohibited.
6. All researchers must use exclusive affiliation to PNU as follows:
   Department name/College name/Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
   (Double affiliation is not allowed).
7. The official University email must be used for all communication with journals.
8. The PI must be the first author or corresponding author.
9. Projects must be completed and research papers published within 12 months of contract signing.
10. Research receiving funding from another source (internal or external) is not eligible.
11. Each PI may submit up to three projects.
12. Proposals must fall within the PI's specialization or a closely related field.
13. Research content must not contradict Islamic values, national visions, or the University's objectives.
14. Publications with researchers from prohibited countries or entities are not permitted.
15. Researchers must adhere to PNU's citation and plagiarism policies.
16. All project outputs (patents, products, applications) are the property of the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education, as per Saudi intellectual property regulations.
17. Researchers must maintain academic integrity and comply with research ethics.
18. Acknowledgment must state:
    “The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, for funding this research work through the project number XXXX."
    (Acknowledgment of any other funding source is not permitted).
19. No major amendments to the project (topic, type, methodology) are allowed without committee approval.
20. If a project is terminated, any disbursed funds must be refunded.

Procedures:

• Applications must be submitted electronically via the program's designated platform, with all required documents.
• Proposals will be reviewed by the Institutional Funding Committee.
• Approved researchers will be notified by email with a grant number and contract.
• The PI must sign and return the contract within 48 hours.
• The first installment (25%) will be disbursed after signing.
• Upon successful publication in WOS Core Collection journals, the PI may request project closure.
• The final installment (75%) will be released after committee approval.

Extensions:

Requests for extension must be submitted 30 days before project end, including:

• Justification with evidence of progress.
• A plan for completing remaining work.

The Committee may grant up to two extensions, each not exceeding six months, with no additional funding. Exceptions are at the Committee's discretion.

Table of Required Procedures

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