King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Jumada – I 1432 (H),
May 2011 (G)
Undergraduate Research Grant Guidelines
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Section 1: Motivation
The KFUPM Undergraduate Students Research Grants (USRG) flexibly and responsibly
provides research support to undergraduate students with outstanding credentials who
interested in pursuing quality research work. The Grant intends to stimulate the interest in
research and innovation among KFUPM undergraduate students, and inspire many of them
to become future research leaders. Innovation is the corner stone for any economical growth
in the future. An Annual Undergraduate Research Contest will liven the program and
conduce a campus wide spirit for undergraduate research. This Grant might also persuade
students to improve their academic performance as it is restricted to Honor Students.
Section 2: USRG Objectives and Eligibility
The eligibility, criteria, and duration of these grants are outlined below:
Objectives: USRG aims to stimulate a culture for undergraduate research by supporting
outstanding undergraduate students interested in pursuing innovative research as they pursue
academic excellence.
Eligibility: KFUPM full-time undergraduate Honors students, with innovative research
project plans, supported by a Faculty Member or Full-time Researcher, are eligible to apply
for USRG that could provide up to 12 months of research funding. Two deserving students
may participate in a single project; however, a student shall not participate in two USRG
grants concurrently. Furthermore, a single Supervisor should not mentor two USRG grants
concurrently.
Section 3: Award Description
The following Table lists the types of awards that will be made available for students:
Grant Component
Amount
Terms
Stipend
SR 600/months
12 Months
Expected to be
Research cost for about 20,000 SR;
supplies, equipment, yet,
further
fields trips…etc.
funding is pending
upon justification.
Students are expected to utilize equipment
and material provided by the University in
different departments. Yet; USRG is available,
according to University purchasing by-laws
for the proper and full execution of the
project.
1. USRG students are encouraged to attend a National or International Conference/
Symposium where they can present a conference paper. Conference attendance
support as per DSR procedures for graduate students.
Undergraduate Research Grant Guidelines
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Section 3: Award Description (Cont.)
2. USRG students are encouraged to plan in the proposal and budget for visiting an
advanced research center in the summer, in a way related to the USRG project.
3. The project’s faculty supervisor is awarded a SR 7,000 honorarium upon acceptance of
the final project report.
4. The Grant Budget is capped at 50,000 SAR.
5. In addition, USRG students will contest for the prestigious Annual Undergraduate
Research Contest University Awards.
Section 4: Role of the Faculty Supervisor
The role of the faculty supervisor is:
1. Supervise the student in developing a research proposal including methodology,
objectives, planning, and budgeting.
2. Sign off on the full Execution Plan of the project after approval of the Grant, before
its Start Date.
3. Provide guidance to the students throughout the project duration.
4. Provide students with access to KFUPM resources (labs, equipments, materials …etc.)
needed to conduct their project.
5. Review and endorse all documents produced by the students including proposal, timely
submitted progress and final reports, final report and publications.
Section 5: Applications for USRG
Students who meet the eligibility criteria should fill the application form in Appendix A, and
submit a proposal according to Appendix B.
Section 6: USRG Progress/Final Reports/ Deliverables
USRG Students should submit progress reports every 6 months during the project. A final
report, to be submitted within two months from the project completion date, should contain
the project’s notable achievements and measurable outcomes.
Any publications resulting from the project should have clear acknowledgement to the
project number of the KFUPM USRG.
Any patent resulting from USRG should appropriately be owned by KFUPM.
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Section 7: Supervisor Recommendation
Applications Forms must be jointly signed by the student and his faculty supervisor. In
addition, a disclaimer, stating that the work being proposed is not part of any ongoing or
past projects, must be signed by the students and the supervisor.
Section 8: USRG Proposal Content
USRG presumes the Student to be the project PI. His proposal would contain the following:
1. A brief C.V. of the student(s), including a recent unofficial KFUPM transcript
demonstrating that the student is an Honors student,
2. A brief C.V. of the proposed supervisor, including his research interests and major
relevant achievements,
3. The filled out USRG grant application form (Appendix A),
4. An outline of the proposed research project including a description of each student
role as given in Appendix B.
Section 9: Review of USRG Proposals
The DSR shall arrange for internal review of USRG proposals. Approval is based on merit
decided by reviewers’ input. The rubric provided in Appendix C could be used in this regard.
Section 10: Annual Undergraduate Research Contest University Awards
USRG students are expected to participate in the Annual Undergraduate Research Contest
University Awards by delivering a seminar on the project and presenting the outcomes.
When selecting students for awards, the university will assess each application on the basis of
research aptitude, proposal quality, and outcomes.
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Appendix – A:
APPLICATION FORM FOR KFUPM – USRG
For Academic Year (20xx To 20xx)
(Please read the guidelines before filling this application)
Start Date
End Date

New Application

Renewal Application

Have you received a USRG grant before?
USRG #
Student Name
Student ID #
KFUPM ID #
Saudi ID/Iqama
Department
Degree Sought
Campus Address
P.O. Box #
Email Address
Phone (Off)
Phone (Resi.)
Program/Major
Month/Year accepted
into Program
Your GPA (*)
Total completed credit
hours
(*) Please attach recent unofficial KFUPM Transcript
Signature
Student Name: (Mr. )
Supervisor’s Name: (Dr. )
Department:
Chairman’s Name: (Dr. )
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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Date:
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Appendix – B:
KFUPM – USRG Project Proposal
(Kindly fill out the attached template)
Under Project Description, please make sure to:
1. Introduce the problem including motivation
2. Formulate clearly the research questions
3. Describe briefly related works and literature
4. Describe project milestones and student Work plan and tasks to its achievement
5. Describe project expected outputs and emphasize two major deliverables
6. Include a description of the research environment related to the proposal, including
available equipment, tools to be purchased, needed Field Trips (if applicable), and
available tools to achieve the project goals.
Append a Disclaimer, signed by your team, emphasizing that the proposed USRG project is
the students’ original and not a part of any past on current funded projects.
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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Undergraduate Students Research Grant (USRG)
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Insert Proposal Title in English (here)
Team Member 1 Xxxxx Xxxxx, ID
Department XXX
Team Member 2 (if applicable) Xxxxx Xxxxx, ID
Department XXX
Faculty Supervisor Xxxxx Xxxxx,
Department XXX
Date:
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
INSTRUCTIONS
Please READ CAREFULLY and follow the instructions when writing your research
proposal
1. Explanatory Notes:
The explanatory notes provided hereafter for each section in the proposal template are
meant for guidance only.
You should delete them thereafter finishing the report.
2. Budget:
Make sure to include all needed equipments and man power needed for proper running and
successful execution of the project. Please note that the maximum allocated budget is SR
50,000.
3. For section items that do not apply to your project, please just write NA (Not
Applicable)
4. After confirming with your project Supervisor, submit the research proposal to
src@kfupm.edu.sa, in clued the Supervisor on cc. In the Subject Heading state
“Undergraduate Student Research Grant Proposal”, and then state your name and ID.
Attach the proposal as a pdf file.
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Title
Proposed Budget
(max. 50,000) Saudi Riyals
Estimated Duration
Proposed Starting
Date
(max. 12)
Month / Year
No.
Months
Ending Date
Project Personnel
ID
Department
Name
4
5
Technician
6
Others
2
Keywords (max. 4)
Role
Team
Leader
Faculty
Supervisor
Team
Member 1
Engineer
1
Research Team
Month / Year
3
Signature
1.
2.
3.
4.
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
SUMMARY
This section should provide a summary of the proposed research project. The summary must not exceed one
page in length (max. 200 words) and should provide a coherent, clear and concise description of the research
activity. It should describe the objectives and methods to be adopted during the proposed research. It
should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields. It should not contain any
proprietary or confidential information.
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section/Details
Page
UNDERTAKING OF THE RESEARCH TEAM .......................................... 2
ENGLISH SUMMARY .................................................................................... 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................ 4
1.0
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................5
2.0
PROJECT OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................5
3.0
LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................5
4.0
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED WORK ..............................................5
4.1 Approach, Tasks and Phases .......................................................................................... 5
4.2 Research Methodology ..................................................................................................... 6
This section should explain your methodology to conduct the research and to obtain the
stated objectives. .................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Management Plan .............................................................................................................. 6
4.4 Project Deliverables ........................................................................................................... 6
5.0
PROJECT EXECUTION..................................................................................7
5.1 Travel (if applicable).......................................................................................................... 7
5.1.1Scientific Trip (if applicable) ................................................................................................ 7
5.1.2Field Trip (if applicable) ....................................................................................................... 8
6.0
REFERENCES ................................................................................................ 10
7.0
RESUMES........................................................................................................ 11
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: APPROACH UTILIZED FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES .................................................................. 6
Table 2: MAPPING OF PHASES AND TASKS TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES ................................................... 6
Table 3: ROLE AND INVOLVEMENT DURATION OF RESEARCH TEAM .................................................. 7
Table 4: PROJECT WORK PLAN ...........................................................................................................................
Table 5: SCIENTIFIC TRIPS DETAIL .................................................................................................................. 8
Table 6: FIELD TRIPS DETAIL ............................................................................................................................ 8
Table 7: PROPOSED BUDGET ............................................................................................................................ 9
(Please update the Table of Contents after completing the proposal and delete this note thereafter)
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
1.0
INTRODUCTION
The introduction should provide a brief background to the research project, explaining briefly the
importance of the research being proposed, current state of the art, highlights the gaps in the existing
knowledge and defines the scope of work and conditions in which the project will be executed. A description
of expected results should also be provided.
2.0
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
This section should include a clear statement of the objectives of the proposed research project. What are the
questions that this proposal addresses? And what are the significance of expected results. Start with a
general objective, then provide with two or three specific objectives. You can use part of the material of HW2
3.0
LITERATURE REVIEW
This section should include the background for context and should explain the significance of the research
project involved. Details of the state of the art in the research field should be briefly included with
references. It should clearly identify the gaps in knowledge that the proposed research will address.
You might use the literature review you developed in HW2
4.0
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED WORK
This should provide sufficient information of the work to be undertaken and describe in details how the
research questions raised by this proposal would be tackled. It should outline the general plan of work,
including the broad design and methodology that will be adopted, and, where appropriate, provide a clear
description of experimental methods and procedures as well as expected outcomes. The content of this
section should be structured under the following headings
4.1
Approach, Tasks and Phases
Details of the approach utilized to achieve each objective of the project should be clarified and illustrated (Table 1).
Table 1: APPROACH UTILIZED FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES
Objective
1
2
3
4
Approach of achieving the objective
Research tasks that will be undertaken as a part of the proposed research and activities should be divided into
groups of assignments, listed in logical sequence and linked with the project objectives to be achieved (Table 2).
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Table 2: MAPPING OF PHASES AND TASKS TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES
Objectives
1
2
3
4
4.2
Phases
Tasks
Research Methodology
This section should explain your methodology to conduct the research and to obtain the stated objectives.
It should reflect that the student has good understanding of the problem and of the barriers in the path. It
include procedures and techniques to be used with explanation why these are considered the most suitable
to the research in question; detailed description of the experiments and measurements; as well as
methods to be used in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Typical questions to answer on research methodology include:
(a) What are the constraints (if any)?
(b) What are the technical challenges and uncertainties?
(c) What are the different approaches to this problem?
(d) What is your preferred approach and why?
It should explain the facilities to be used.
(a) Is all the necessary hardware/software in place?
(b) If not, how will it be acquired and how long will it take to put everything in place?
(c) Does it have any resource implication? (This must be prepared in view of the Budget below.)
4.3
Management Plan
Indicate how each project team member will be involved (with durations) in executing specific tasks. (Table 3).
Table 3: ROLE AND INVOLVEMENT DURATION OF RESEARCH TEAM
Team Members
4.4
Role
Duration
(months)
Project Deliverables
This should provide a clear statement of the expected real, tangible and measurable outcomes of the
proposed research project (Table 4).
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Table 4: PROJECT WORK PLAN
PHASES & TASKS
INVOLVEMENT DURATION
Participation
PHASE I
Duration
01
02
03
04
05
Task 1.1:
Task 1.2:
PHASE 2
Task 2.1
Task 2.2:
PHASE 3
Task 3.1
Task 3.2
PROJECT EXECUTION
5.1
Travel (if applicable)
This sub-section should include details of travel arrangements that may be needed in the execution of
the proposed research project with full justifications (if applicable). The content of this sub-section
should be structured under either of the following headings:
5.1.1
Scientific Trip (if applicable)
Table 5: SCIENTIFIC TRIPS DETAIL
Host University /
Institute/Company
5.0
Name
Duration of the trip
Justifications for selection
Tasks to be carried out
Impact on the project outcomes
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
5.1.2
Field Trip (if applicable)
Table 6: FIELD TRIPS DETAIL
Destinations
No. of Days
No. of trips to each destination (if more
than one)
Justifications of the trip(s)
Tasks to be carried out
Impact on the project outcomes
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
5.4
Proposed Budget
Fill the Table 7 to detail the budget in tabular form including all requested resources for the entire
duration of proposed research project. This section should include details and justification of the
requested equipments. Indicate also its availability/non-availability within your department.
Table 7: PROPOSED BUDGET
SUMMARY
PROPOSED BUDGET
BEFORE COMPLETING
PROJECT TITLE
DURATION
MANPOWER
ITEM
CATEGORY
(max. 12)
NO.
(in Saudi Riyals)
MONTHS
COMPENSATION
Faculty Supervisor
7000 / Project
Team Leader
600 / Month
Team Member 2
600 / Month
Engineer
600 / Month
Technician
600 / Month
Secretarial- Clerical
400 / Project
INVOLVEMENT
MONTHS
BUDGET
DESCRIPTION
OTHER
TOTAL SALARIES
EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL
TOTAL
SOFTWARE
-
HARDWARE
EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS
CHEMICALS
SERVICES
-
MAX. 30,000
TRAVEL
ITEM TOTAL
FIELD TRIP/ SCIENTIFIC
TRIP
PER DIEM LOCAL
PER DIEM OVERSEAS
-
OTHERS
ITEM TOTAL
STATIONARY
ITEM TOTAL
GRAND TOTAL
MAX. 50,000
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
6.0
REFERENCES
References should be cited in the standard style used in scientific/technical publications. Links to online
versions may be provided together with dates on which the material was accessed.
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
7.0
RESUMES
Instructions: The Resumes should be strictly limited to two pages per member and it should include:
Name, Date of birth, Department, academic achievements, GPA). List of up to 5 significant achievements
(publications, patents, project achieved (with years and names of institutions), software or hardware
development, authoring, teaching, grading, etc).
Resumes
Mr. XXXX X. XXXX, (Team Leader, TL), ID, (DEPT)
Date of Birth:
Correspondence Address
Department (DEPT),
College ……………….,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM),
P.O. Box XXXX, Dhahran, 31262, Saudi Arabia.
Contact Information:
Home: +966 3 860-xxxx
Mobile: +966
E-Mail: xxxx@kfupm.edu.sa
Second E-Mail Address:
 Career Objectives
________________________________________________________________________________
_
 Academic Qualifications
GPA
 Academic Activities
Contributions to Research Projects
Summer Trainings
Scientific and Field Trips
Courses Contributed Into Through:
Teaching
Labs
Grading
________________________________________________________________________________
_
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
 Other Activities
Students Clubs, Leadership, Membership
:
Community Services
Readings, Sport, Travels,…
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
PROVIDE THE SAME FOR
Mr. Xxxx Xxxx (Team Member, TM-2), and a suitable resume for the Supervisor
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Dr. Xxxx Xxxx (Suitable resume for the Supervisor)
Undergraduate Research Grant Template
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Appendix – C:
Evaluation of Proposals
Undergraduate Project Proposal Evaluation Rubric:
Student Name
ID Number
Title of the Project
Faculty Supervisor
Performance
Criterion
Distinguished
4-5
Satisfactory
3-4
Developing
2-3
Unacceptable
0-1
Introductory
Matters: , Title
and Abstract
Cover page
Cover page, Title and abstract are
informative, succinct, and offer
sufficiently specific details about
the problem issue and proposed
methods of the study.
Cover page, Title and
abstract are relevant,
offering details about the
proposed research study
and the team.
Cover page, Title or abstract
lacks relevance or fails to offer
appropriate details about the
problem issue of the proposed
study.
No Cover page, Title or
abstract or
inappropriate to the
given problem, research
questions, and method.
Introduction
Problem,
Significance, &
Purpose of the
Study
Presents a significant research
problem. Articulates clear,
reasonable research questions given
the purpose, and methods of the
proposed project. The statements
are clearly supported from the
literature. All elements are mutually
supportive. Well defined common
interest for both student and
faculty supervisor
Identifies a relevant
research problem.
Research questions are
succinctly stated, and
supported by and
connected to the
established literature.
Partial match of the
p[proposed research to
faculty supervisor
Although a research problem is
identified, the statement is too
broad and the description fails to
establish the importance of the
problem area. The research
questions are ambiguous, or not
logically connected to the
description of the problem.
Connections to the literature are
unclear or debatable.
Statement of the
problem, significance,
purpose,
questions/hypotheses,
were omitted or
inappropriate.
Literature Review
Narrative integrates critical and
logical details from the peerreviewed research literature. Each
key question is grounded to the
literature.
Key project questions
were connected to
relevant, reliable
literature.
Selected literature was not from
reliable or up-to-date sources.
Literary supports were vague or
ambiguous.
The review of literature
was missing or
consisted of nonresearch based articles.
Propositions were
irrelevant, inaccurate, or
inappropriate.
Research
Objectives
The purpose, questions, and
objectives are mutually
supportive and coherent.
Appropriate specific objectives
have been clearly stated.
The research objectives are
confusing or incomplete given
the research questions and
problem statement.
The research objectives
are not understandable
or have not been
identified.
Methods:
Procedures
Procedures were thorough,
manageable, coherent, and
powerful for generating valid
and reliable data and. Clear and
reasonable strategies are presented
to achieve research objectives.
Expected
Outcomes
Expected outcomes clearly exceed
what is expected from these grants.
The research objectives
had been identified and
described but with no
sufficient details.
Specific objectives are
defined but not clearly
Procedures for project
implementation and
problem solving were
identified and
described in a
chronological fashion
Expected outcomes
probably conform to
what is expected from
these grants.
Procedures for data gathering,
model building and problem
solving were confusing,
incomplete, or lacked relevance
to purpose, and to research
questions.
There is a good chance that
the expected outcomes won’t
conform to what is expected
from these grants.
Reviewer Name: (Dr. )
Grand Total
Undergraduate Research Grant
Weight
X1
X1.5
X1
X 1.5
X 1.5
Procedures for gathering
data, building models
and solving the problem
were omitted.
Expected outcomes
clearly do not conform
to what is expected from
these grants.
Total
Comments and Recommendation
Score
X1
Total
score