2. It is preferable for the lead researcher to have at least two published research articles in journals indexed in the Web of Science (WOS) network.
3. The lead researcher must submit the final report for their research group before applying for internal funding programs at the Scientific Research Deanship, with exceptions for a maximum of two research projects. They may also lead multiple projects within specific funding programs including the Junior researchers, Future Pioneers, and Post-indexed Publication Research Funding Programs, with the number determined by the approved budget in each funding cycle.
4. The research team must include at least one Saudi national who is either a university staff member or an employee at the Directorate of Health Affairs and
its affiliated centers at the university.
5. The project seeking funding must not have concluded before submitting the funding application.
6. The lead researcher selects a name for the research group that reflects its field of activity and specialization and provides a summary of the expected activities of the group.
7. Interdisciplinarity within the research group is considered.
8. A researcher is allowed to lead a maximum of two ongoing research groups, provided that they have previously participated in active (not stalled) research groups.
9. A researcher is allowed to participate in multiple research groups (not as a lead researcher), with the maximum number determined by the approved budget within the funding cycle for the current academic year 1445.
10. The research group must consist of no fewer than three researchers and no more than eight, with a preference for including at least one graduate student from the university.
11. Priority in support is given to research proposals aimed at fostering idea exchange, sharing experiences, and facilitating access to the latest developments in the field of the research group's specialization.
12. Research partnerships are activated through coordination between the head of the research group and the research center within the college, enabling communication with researchers from universities and research centers inside and outside the kingdom in the field of the research group's specialization.
13. Members of the research group commit to alignment and cooperation within the team, with the possibility of adding new members if any of the previous members are no longer affiliated with the university, while adhering to the maximum limit of group members after obtaining approval from the Scientific Research Deanship.
14. It is preferred for the research group to organize seminars and discussion sessions within the university to benefit a wider range of university staff and introduce them to the group's outcome.
15. The lead researcher commits to submitting five original research articles published as articles in an international scientific journal indexed within the Web of Science core collection and listed in citation indexes such as the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) or Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Research published in WOS emerging sources or journals lacking impact factor (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) will not be considered.
16. Researchers involved in the research group must commit to the project's intellectual property rights as per the approved agreement form.
17. Researchers must adhere to scientific research ethics and obtain approval from the university's relevant scientific research ethics committees if required. The Deanship of Scientific Research reserves the right to take appropriate actions in case of any violations of scientific research ethics or recognized scientific misconduct at local or international levels.
18. Upon approval of project funding, the research group cannot make significant alterations to the project, including changes to the project's topic, methodology, or budget, without the approval of the Standing Committee for Funding Research Projects.
19. The research group members are obligated to complete the project according to the proposed plan approved by the Deanship of Scientific Research, maintaining the original composition of researchers. Any changes to the number or identities of researchers require approval from the Standing Committee for Funding Research Projects. Failure to comply may lead to contract termination, with the matter referred to the Scientific Research Ethics Committee.
20. The contract duration is one year from the signing date and may be extended for a similar period subject to approval from the Deanship of Scientific Research.
21. The lead researcher may request an extension of the research period from the Deanship of Scientific Research at least 30 days before the project's end, including:
a. Justification for the extension detailing the research progress achieved so far.
b. Proposed steps to complete the research during the extension period, which requires written approval from the Deanship of Scientific Research.
c. Attachment of the approved work progress form.
22. If the project's designated timeframe expires as per its approved schedule without completion, the Standing Committee for Funding Research Projects may, based on the lead researcher's justifications, grant an additional period of up to six months to finalize the project. No additional financial support will be provided during this extension.
*Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the Deanship of Scientific Research Council.
23. If the lead researcher leaves the university before project completion, they must submit a report to the Deanship of Scientific Research requesting the transfer of project responsibility to the alternative researcher. The Standing Committee for Funding Research Projects will review the request and make appropriate recommendations.
24. In the event that the research team is unable to continue the project, the Council of the Deanship of Scientific Research, upon recommendation from the Standing Committee for Funding Research Projects, will choose between two options:
A. Terminating the project and the contract with the lead researcher, thus ending financial commitments.
B. Appointing a new lead researcher, either from the existing team or externally, to complete the project.
25. A final report, along with published research, financial reports, and invoices, must be submitted upon project completion as per the agreement.
26. Upon submitting the final financial report of the research project, the research team remains obligated to address any deficiencies in the report or fulfill outstanding research objectives without the Deanship of Scientific Research incurring additional financial obligations.
27. University members involved in the research team must each establish and activate two accounts on Google Scholar and Orcid. They should indicate their affiliation with Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, as well as their respective college and department within the university. This requirement is fundamental for applying to any funding programs offered by the Deanship of Scientific Research.
Second: Published Research Approval Conditions:
1. Submission of five original research studies, published as articles.
2. Research must be published in an international scientific journal indexed within the Web of Science (WOS) core collection. The journal should also be included within citation indicators such as the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) or the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Research published in journals lacking impact factor (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) or indexed in WOS emerging sources will not be considered.
3. Research must not be published in journals listed as banned or pirated, or by publishers listed as banned, as per the circular issued by the Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, No. 16997, provided on the following links:
https://predatoryjournals.com/journals
https://predatoryjournals.com/publishers
4. Researchers must have their only affiliation as employees at the university or the Directorate of Health Affairs and its affiliated centers at the university. Double affiliations are not permitted. The affiliation shall be in the following format: Department name/ College name/ Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
5. All communications with the journal must use the official university email address.
6. Only official university emails of team members should be included in the affiliation.
7. The second party must acknowledge the university's support for the research in the following format: The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University for funding this work through the Research Groups Program Grant No. RGP-XXX
8. Ensuring that at least 70% of the research group members are included in each research submitted as part of the research group's output. If the advisor or assistant does not participate in the publication, a moral acknowledgment for their assistance in completing the research should be included after acknowledging the deanship's support according to the approved format for the program.
9. Researchers are not permitted to collaborate with individuals from entities or countries with which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not deal by law. Journals originating from such entities or countries are also prohibited. Researchers bear full scientific, legal, and ethical responsibility for the published research.
10. The research group provides a brief report of their accomplishments.
11. Research published before the contract signing date will not be considered.
12. Research papers including acknowledgment to any other support entity within the university will not be considered.
13. A 25% deduction from the support amount will be applied for each acknowledgment to a third party.
14. Adherence to the regulations and ethics of scientific research is required.
15. Adherence to citation criteria and controls set forth by the university is required.
16. Scientific research and inventions resulting from this collaboration are deemed the property of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. Researchers bear full scientific and legal responsibility for the content submitted to the university.
Third: Research Group Renewal Conditions:
1. Fulfilling the publication requirements for the completed research group according to the contract.
2. Completing the research group funding form.
Financial Controls:
1- Financial disbursements for the research group are provided in three installments as follows:
- The first installment consists of 25% of the approved budget for the research group, paid after both parties sign the contract.
- The second installment, also 25% of the approved budget, is paid after the publication of two original research papers, published as articles in an international scientific journal indexed within the Web of Science (WOS) core collection. The journal should also be included within citation indicators such as the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) or the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Research published in journals lacking impact factor (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) or indexed in WOS emerging sources will not be considered.
- The final installment, 50% of the approved budget, is paid upon the approval of the final report by the Scientific Research Deanship Council, and after publishing a minimum of five original research papers, published as articles in an international scientific journal indexed within the Web of Science (WOS) core collection. The journal should also be included within citation indicators such as the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) or the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Research published in journals lacking impact factor (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) or indexed in WOS emerging sources will not be considered.
2. The lead researcher is responsible for distributing all financial dues to project members according to the approved budget for researchers' remunerations. This distribution should occur upon receipt of the designated financial payments and submission of all requisite documentation following the Unified Regulations for Scientific Research. Financial disputes among researchers will not be entertained.
3. Remunerations are disbursed according to Article 12 of the Unified Regulations for Scientific Research.
4. If the research project is not completed for any reason and the Scientific Research Deanship Council, upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee for Funding Research Projects, decides to terminate the project and the contract with the lead researcher, any financial obligations expected to be fulfilled upon project completion will be nullified. Additionally, the lead researcher will be required to refund any disbursed amounts according to the regulations established by the Deanship of Scientific Research.
Research Groups Program Description pdf
