graduate-project
Graduate Project

The Graduate Project will support talented undergraduate students enrolled in Masters studies through funding their academic research projects. The program is designed to foster UAE talents and encourage Higher Education level students to partake in scientific research projects.

 

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  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Application Guidelines
  • Post Application Process
  • Evaluation Criteria
  • Timeline and Key Dates
  • Terms & Conditions
Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Graduate Project grant, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

  1. Only purpose-driven and applied scientific research proposals will be considered.
  2. Applications must be submitted by the lead student where the lead student is a UAE national. The research team members could include nationals and non-nationals. 
  3. The researcher must submit a research proposal electronically using Sandooq Al Watan’s Fellowship proposal template. Download Template
  4. The researcher must have a minimum Major GPA of 2.7.
  5. The requested funding for each project cannot exceed AED10,000. In certain cases and given reasonable justification, the researcher can apply for additional funding of no more than AED 10,000. 
  6. A prize of AED 5,000 will be awarded for research publication.
  7. The project duration for the Undergraduate Project is upto two years. 
Application Guidelines

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Sandooq Al Watan will offer two funding cycles during the year, including Fall semester and Spring semester.

Applications must include:

  1. A research proposal which will be filled out electronically through the website.

  2. A letter of endorsement from the applicant’s institution. The letter of endorsement must include the lead student's/research team name(s), project title, name of the assigned principal investigator, total proposed budget, & latest attained GPA.

  3. An official confirmation letter of the latest attained GPA from the Academic Dean.

  4. The research team personal details [name, UAE ID, nationality, major, email, phone].

Post Application Process
  1. Applications will only be reviewed if submitted by the submission deadline.
  2. Sandooq Al Watan will confirm the academic institution’s endorsement and supervision of the research program.
  3. Sandooq Al Watan will be in contact with the students with regards to proposal submission or any required additional information to facilitate proposal review and approval.
Evaluation Criteria

Short-listed proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts based on the following criteria:

  1. Innovation: The project is novel and has potential to advance the current state-of-the-art with  adequate evidence and justification.

  2. Approach:  The objectives, tasks, and methodologies are sufficient and appropiate to deliver the goals of the project. 

  3. Impact: The project has potential long-term benefits for UAE's industry, academic community, and economy.

  4. Deliverables: The project yields a variety of deliverables, for example; publication, prototype, poster presentation, participation in competition, commercialization potential, etc. 

  5. Time Frame: The project timeline is appropriate for the scope of work.

  6.  Budget and Resources:  The budget and project resources proposed are reasonable and well-justified.

Timeline and Key Dates

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Fall - Round 2
17thFeb2021
Submission
17thApr2021
Decision
Terms & Conditions

The researcher and any team member should comply with the following terms and conditions:

  1. The funds must be administered by the awarded institution's respective department to ensure compliance with the approved budget, terms, and conditions governing the execution of funds. Budget use should be in accordance with the awarded institution's research spending guidelines, policies, and procedures.

  2. Durable asset purchased with a value of AED 5,000 and above are capitalized and must be asset-tagged by the awarded institution. Such items will be considered as sponsored items and the property of Sandooq Al Watan where other students will be able to use it.

  3.  Unspent funds must be returned to Sandooq Al Watan.

  4. Re-budgeting within expense categories is permitted. Any further budget modification must be consulted and approved by Sandooq Al Watan prior to utilization of funds.

  5. A no cost extension (NCE) can be requested as part of the progress report no later than 60 calendar days before the planned research project end date.  A justification must accompany the request. If the NCE is granted, it can only last for a maximum of one additional semester.
  6. Additional funding can be requested no later than 60 calendar days before the planned research project end date. A justification must accompany the request.

  7. Quarterly progress reports and a final report must be submitted through the researcher.ae platform in line with the reporting dates stipulated in the executed agreement.

  8. Sandooq Al Watan can publicize the individuals, projects, and project outcomes to promote and market the Fellowship program where Sandooq Al Watan sees fit.

  9. All required internal permits such as, but not limited to, IRB approvals and lab permits must be secured prior to the release of funds. 

  10. The intellectual property (IP) rights within the awarded grant is governed by the IP policy of the awarded institution.

  11. Applicants must disclose any potential conflict of interest to Sandooq Al Watan prior to the release of funds. 

  12. All parties shall comply with all applicable federal and local laws, regulations, and nothing shall be construed to require either party to violate such provisions of law or subject either party to liability for adhering to such provisions of law.

  13. Sandooq Al Watan has the right to terminate the funding if any of the terms and conditions stipulated in the executed agreement is violated.