Research Proposals Preparation Guidelines
Proposal Contents:
1. Cover page
Cover page will carry the title of the proposal which will be concise, identical both in Arabic and English languages, express the scientific significance of the research, and intelligible to the ordinary reader. Cover page should also contain, investigator's names, major and specific fields of the research, expected duration, proposed budget, key words and names of the organizations benefiting from the research results.
2. Table of contents
3. Proposal Summary (Arabic)
4. Proposal Summary (English)
The summaries both Arabic and English should be of about one page length and written in a clear, precise and comprehensive scientific style. It should present a concise statement of the research topic, objectives, scientific approach, steps of executing the research, and the most important expected results.
5. Introduction
It will contain a brief background of the importance of the research issue, scope of work, conditions in which the research will be executed, expected results and the extent of it’s utilization to justify selection of the proposal as a priority.
6. Literature review
Literature review will aim at defining the referential framework for the research proposal topic. It will help in crystallizing and framing the issue. It will reflect the investigators’ perception of the current state of knowledge in the field. It will contain completed or ongoing relevant researches.
7. Objectives
Objectives are the pillar of the research proposal. Investigator (s) should, precisely and clearly define the objectives in detailed, and numbered points consistent with the information mentioned in the introduction and literature review. Objectives should be written in brief phrases and should be firmly correlated with the research issues, and the proposed research design and methodology.
8. Research design and methodology
Steps that will be followed by the research team in carrying out the research should be logically explained and defined to judge the validity, suitability and adequacy of methods and means used to achieve research objectives. Research methodology may be divided according to a suitable criterion in order to facilitate different organizing process and follow-up which can be shown as under:
- Methods and techniques to be used in executing the research. Defining the processes and variables (experiments, measurements, surveying and questionnaires) related to those variables. Steps to be followed in preparing data collection tools and the modifications that might be introduced, to ensure fulfillment of the research objectives.
- A detailed description of experiments, measurements, or methods used in the research whether new or developed. In case of conventional or previously published analytical methods, it is enough to mention their references.
- Description of the data processing methods and types of analysis of the data to obtain the final results related to the achievement of the research goals, leading to the conclusions and recommendations.
9. Management Plan
States experience and scientific expertise of each member of the research team that shows his/her ability to carry out his/her assignments.
10. Work Plan
Research tasks are divided into groups of assignments and events in a logical sequence illustrated in timetables, charts or diagrams with specific dates of implementation, including submission dates of the progress and final technical reports. Members of research team who carry out those tasks should be designated, specifying the tasks assigned to the main investigators. It also specifies the level of supervision and administration hierarchy, and also specifies any contracts or consultations needed during the study.
11. References
A list of all references mentioned in the text may either be arranged in the alphabetical order, according to the authors family names, observing separation between Arabic and foreign references, or may be listed numerically according to their appearance in text.
12. Utilization of expected results
The research proposal should include a brief description of the expected results, their impact fields and the benefiting agencies. It is important to mention the suitable mechanism for utilization and implementation of these results.
13. Current and Expected Funding
The Principal Investigator is required to provide information on funding of the research proposal from sources other than Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research. Equipments and instruments, especially those procured by Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research for other on going or completed researches, should be mentioned.
14. Budget
- Tabulated: It will show total proposed budget for the entire duration of the research and for each year separately, including all items. Use the appropriate forms for each program.
- Detailed: The detailed proposed budged should be consistent with the requirements of the research execution, and different items should be fully justified.
To prepare the research proposal budget, following steps should be considered:
Proposed detailed budget should be prepared for specific items for each year.
(a) The investigator should define the required funds for each item in conformity with Center of Excellence Researches Support Act. He is required to specify the number of the research assistants and their qualifications, equipment, supplies, materials and their specifications, scientific trips and their destination, duration and number of participants, on those trips.
(b) An overall tabulated budget should be prepared for the entire duration of the research and for each year separately consistent with detailed budget.
It should include the following items:
- Investigators’ remuneration is allocated commensurate with the effort exerted in executing the research, provided that they are not employed as researchers on full-time basis.
- Research Assistants: Includes research assistants, laboratory technicians, technicians of different skills, undergraduate and postgraduate students, laborers and administrators. The Principal Investigator should specify the working hours as (hour/person) and the remuneration due for each in the detailed budget
- Requirements: Include equipments, supplies and materials mentioned in research design and methodology. Need of those requirements in executing the work plan should be fully justified. In case of the availability of equipments required in the executing organization, the investigator should explain why it is unavailable for use in the research. The investigator should attach a list of the requirements and a pro forma invoice with the detailed budget
- Travel and Conferences: Includes domestic and foreign travels and conferences. The research team should define the purpose of travel and its relevance to the proposed research activities, intended destination, duration of the trip, expected expenditure including travel expenses and per diem.
- Consultants: If the research requires consultation services, the total expenditure for the consultants should not exceed 50.000 saudi riyal
- Publication: Includes cost of typing and publishing scientific papers extracted from the project, and observation of copyrights.
15. Undertaking of The Research Team
16. Undertaking of the Principal Investigator’s Substitute
17. List of specialists in the area of the research
Research team should attach a list of names and addresses of ten specialists in the area of the research proposal to be used in the review process of the proposal if needed.
18. Investigators specialization area key words
Providing research team’s specialization and their current research interests Keywords.
19. Principal Investigator, co-Investigators and consultants CV’s
General requirements for preparing the research proposal:
Applicants for research grants programs should observe the general pattern of the research proposal as follows:
Proposal should be type written, in English (Times New Roman, size 12) language, on a standard A-4 size white paper on one side only, with 2 cm margin, Proposal should be fully complete and checked for linguistic and typographic errors before submission.
Terms of submission:
1. Use approved official form available at Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research
2. Submit the original copy of the Proposal and an electronic copy on CD
3. Research proposals satisfying the center requirements are to be submitted to the center within the specified date of submission.
Please note that Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research reserves the right not to accept the research proposal if it does not satisfying the above requirements or it is received after the closing date of submission.
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