Metadata
Title
Research Excellence Award
Category
general
UUID
8fa3852ea0d049aca16ef168ee2f2bcb
Source URL
https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/research-excellence-award
Parent URL
https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr
Crawl Time
2026-03-16T05:13:14+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown 
# Research Excellence Award

**Source**: https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/research-excellence-award
**Parent**: https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr

Awards

- [President Highly Cited Researcher Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/president-highly-cited-researcher-award)
- [Distinguished Professor Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/distinguished-professor-award)
- [Applied Research Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/applied-research-award)
- [Research Excellence Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/research-excellence-award)
- [Early Career Research Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/early-career-research-award)
- [High Impact Paper Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/high-impact-paper-award)
- [Highly Cited Paper Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/highly-cited-paper-award)
- [Postdoctoral Excellence Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/postdoctoral-excellence-award)

### Research Excellence Award

**Last Update on:** 12 August 2024

**Jump to:**

1. [Purpose](#purpose)
2. [Scope](#scope)
3. [Definitions and Acronyms](#definitions-acronyms)
4. [Objectives](#objectives)
5. [Eligibility Criteria](#eligibilty-criteria)
6. [Selection Criteria for Award](#selection-criteria-for-award)
7. [Applications and Nominations](#applications-and-nominations)
8. [Selection](#selection)\
9. [Criteria for Numerical Ratings](#criteria-for-numerical-ratings)\
10. [Award Benefits](#award-benefits)\
11. [Implementation, Compliance, and Reporting](#implementation-compliance-reporting)\
12. [Document Amendment Information](#document-amendment-information)\
13. [Appendix](#appendix)\

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##### 1. PURPOSE

##### 

The purpose of these guidelines is to support the administration of the Research Excellence Award.

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##### 2. SCOPE

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1. These guidelines apply to Research Excellence Awards, which support the creation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge by rewarding excellence in research achievements.
2. These guidelines apply to all KFUPM assistant, associate and full professors and equivalent level researchers.

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##### 3. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

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| 1. Definitions | |
| --- | --- |
| ISI Journal | Journals maintained by the Institute for Scientific Information. The Master Journal List (<http://mjl.clarivate.com>) is a comprehensive list of journals that includes core collection and additional web of science indexes lists, only four indexes of which are included in Web of Science (WoS), which are the Arts & Humanities Citation Index, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Emerging Sources Citation Index. |
| Project | A product of an approved research proposal that is scientifically reviewed by a competent body and has an allocated fund administered by DR. It generally seeks to systematically investigate a problem through scientific methodologies conforming to academic best practices to achieve the defined research objectives. |
| Q1, Q2 | The top 25%, and between top 25% to 50% respectively of journals in a particular category ranked by journal impact factor in Journal Citation Reports. |

| 2. Acronyms | |
| --- | --- |
| CHPE | Committee on Convocation, Honors, and Public Events |
| DR | Deanship of Research |
| KFUPM | King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals |
| SDG | Sustainable Development Goals |
| UN | United Nations |
| VPRI | Vice President of Research and Innovation |

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##### 4. OBJECTIVES

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1. The primary function of the University is the creation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge. Thus, a successful university provides fertile ground where knowledge is advanced. Through imaginative and relevant research, faculty contributes to and provides leadership in the solution of many of the problems faced by society. It is a truism that the quality of teaching at the University, and the viability of its graduate programs are directly related to the quality of research and scholarship of its faculty.
2. The objective of the award is to recognise excellence in research and foster an environment in which significant and meaningful research can flourish.

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##### 5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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1. All KFUPM assistant, associate and full professors and equivalent researchers are eligible to apply for the award where, at the time of the call for application for the award:
   - they have at least four years of service with the University (including sabbatical leave and official assignments);
   - they score a minimum of 200 points according to the relative numerical rating (see [Appendix 1](#appendix)). Citation is capped at 60 points out of 200.
2. The requirement to score at least 200 points may be waived by the Research Committee where a candidate is of truly exceptional quality, and detailed justification supporting the request is provided.
3. Candidates may receive the award every 4 years (applying after third year) during their entire service at the University. Those who have received the award and applying again should report new research works not mentioned in their previous application to avoid duplication

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##### 6. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR AWARD

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1. The selection criteria for the award, as detailed in [Appendix 1](#appendix), includes the following:
   1. Research Impact and Productivity:
      - publications in ISI/Scopus-indexed journals and conferences;
      - citations;
      - h5-index.
   2. Other Research Accomplishments:
      - research-oriented books or volumes;
      - other publications in ISI/Scopus-indexed journals and conferences;
      - patents.
   3. Research Leadership:
      - externally funded research projects;
      - internally funded research projects;
      - completed MS thesis and PhD dissertations;
      - overall leadership and recognition in research.
   4. International & Sustainability:
      - joint publications with international scholars;
      - publications contribution to UN SDG ([Click Here](https://blog.scopus.com/posts/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs-on-scopus))
2. As detailed in the relative numerical rating, the main criteria for the award shall be research quality and impact in the last four calendar years, as evidenced by publications in reputed, refereed scientific and/or professional journals. These publications should appear while the candidate is affiliated with KFUPM. For the purposes of the award, research papers accepted for publication can be included for consideration.
3. Research productivity and leadership shall also be taken into consideration, including funded research projects, development of intramural research programs, supervision of MS and PhD theses, undergraduate students research training, patents, design and planning of nationally and internationally recognized projects, and such.

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##### 7. APPLICATION AND NOMINATIONS

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1. KFUPM faculty members and researchers may
   apply for the award or be nominated by another KFUPM faculty member or
   researcher.
2. Applicants
   (or nominees) should complete the application form.
3. Applications
   should be sent to the Chair of the Research Committee via the Research Office.

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##### 8. SELECTION

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1. The Research Committee shall appoint an ad-hoc
   committee representing each department or area of specialization having
   candidates for the award. This ad-hoc committee shall comprise senior faculty
   members having outstanding research records.
2. Each
   application should be reviewed by one member from the candidate’s department
   preferably from the same specialty. If the member is not in the area of
   specialization of the candidate, the member, as a part of the review process,
   should consult with an expert from the area of specialization of the candidate.
   An applicant for the award may not serve on this ad-hoc committee.
3. The
   main task of the ad-hoc committee is to evaluate the research output of each
   candidate as per the criteria. The committee shall critically review
   duplications of any research activity and eliminate credit claimed more than
   once for essentially the same activity. The committee may also review any
   previous applications of the candidate to remove any overlaps with previously
   accepted publications.
4. The
   committee may request additional input from leading candidates. Candidates with
   the highest scores should be nominated for the award. The final recommendations
   should be made in a meeting of the Research Committee on the basis of
   recommendations of the ad hoc committee. If necessary, the chair of the ad hoc
   committee may be asked to defend the committee’s recommendations in a meeting
   of the Research Committee
5. The
   Research Committee shall select nominees for granting two awards, as follows:
   - The Research Committee will select the top two candidates with the highest
     scores - irrespective of their Departments.
6. The
   Research Committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the VPRI for approval. After the approval of the VPRI, DR
   will forward its recommendations to the Chair of the CHPE, no later than six
   weeks before Commencement Exercises.
7. The
   Chair of the CHPE will inform the candidates selected for the award, under
   intimation to the Dean/Chair concerned.

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##### 9. CRITERIA FOR NUMERICAL RATINGS

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1. The most important objective of the award is
   to encourage excellence and productivity in research. These objectives are best
   demonstrated through original and significant research in the form of
   publications, books, patents, externally and internally funded research
   projects and related academic outputs.
2. Research
   activities such as thesis supervision, completed research projects, conference
   presentations delivered, lectures and seminars, which are likely to appear in
   the form of publications, will be capped relative to the research productivity
   of the candidate.
3. The
   numerical ratings for this award keep the relative importance of various
   achievement criteria in view.

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##### 10. AWARD BENEFITS

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[Read More](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/policies/research-awards-recognitions/research-excellence-award-guidelines#award-benefits)

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##### 11. IMPLEMENTATION, COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING

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1. The Research Committee is responsible for
   monitoring the implementation of these guidelines, using the following
   performance indicators:

- the number of Research Excellence Awards allocated annually;
- the number of issues reported in relation to the Research Excellence Awards scheme.

2. Deans and Chairs
   are responsible for ensuring compliance with these guidelines.
3. Non-compliance
   with these guidelines shall be immediately reported to DR.

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##### 12. DOCUMENT AMENDMENT INFORMATION

##### 

| Version # | Amendment Date | Amendment Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Month, date, year |  |

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##### 13. APPENDIX

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[Appendix 1 – Relative Numerical Rating](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/docs/droclibraries/appendix/awards-recognitions/appendix-1---relative-numerical-rating---research-excellence-award.pdf?sfvrsn=e3e48e9c_7)

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##### Application

[Closed](#)

##### Share

- [Application Form](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/docs/droclibraries/public-kfupm/forms/awards/research-excellence-award-application-form.xlsm?sfvrsn=1add6fc2_10)

##### Explore More

- [President Highly Cited Researcher Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/president-highly-cited-researcher-award)
- [Distinguished Professor Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/distinguished-professor-award)
- [Applied Research Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/applied-research-award)
- [Early Career Research Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/early-career-research-award)
- [High Impact Paper Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/high-impact-paper-award)
- [Highly Cited Paper Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/highly-cited-paper-award)
- [Postdoctoral Excellence Award](https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/dr/awards/postdoctoral-excellence-award)