WFSF Middle East and North Africa Chapter

Scientific Research and Grants

FUTURES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL 2021

Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies (PMFCFS) and World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) announce the continuation of its futures research grant for the year 2021. The objective of this grant is to encourage researchers to explore and research in disciplines underpinned by futures studies. This year’s futures research grant is meant to help researchers investigate the way that change and future-oriented actions are taught, especially in an intergenerational learning setting.
The COVID-19 era has taught us that large changes can happen in a short time and that developments that have been discussed over many decades suddenly have to be implemented. While the most comfortable position would be to see this moment as a transitory aberration after which we can switch back to our previous, known mode of operation, the current crisis also allows for deeper thought about how we organize our society.
One of the fundaments of societies and of the future of these societies, is how learning is organised. It is therefore very fitting that Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, in association with the World Futures Studies Federation announces its second call for research proposals on "Futures ways of learning ... ". This call is open to a wide range of interpretations. Starting from UNESCO's own focus on intergenerational learning to new ways of teaching important themes of our time.
Exploring learning practices is important to understand where the strengths and weaknesses of the current system are. Different levels of technology adoption of different generations and/or different societies allow us to think about solutions that give a chance to mutual learning.
Researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply for the research grant.

1. Objectives of the proposal grants

• To encourage scholarly work and research in futures studies.
• To encourage a future-oriented approach of various disciplines and the application of the methods of Futures Studies.
• To make quality contributions to the development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the international Society.
• To contribute to the state of art of the related topics of the proposals in the context of intergenerational learning and Futures Studies ("Futures ways of learning ... ").
• Research may reflect upon the following areas: Educational Studies and Social Sciences; Humanities and Arts; Science; Information Technology; Artificial Intelligence; Futures of the Global Environment; Youth-Led Research; Design Engineering. Following the main themes mentioned, Futures topics are broad and all proposals will be subject to filtering through the Futures Literacy channels.

2. Proposal Funding

The maximum allowable grant for each proposal is 5,000 USD. The overall budget is 160.000 USD. PMU and the WFSF reserves the right not to award all available funds.

3. Expected Outcomes

The grant proposal is expected to produce at least one ISI with impact factor (Clarivate Analytics)/ Scopus journal publication. Preliminary dissemination of results is expected by the beginning of October 2021 while the final outcomes should be obvious and convincing after one year from the date of acceptance.

4. Eligibility of the Applicant

Application may be submitted by an individual or a group of researchers. Applications are invited from all disciplines. There should be no conflict of interest for those who will submit a proposal: one applicant cannot be involved in more than one proposal. Advisors with a minor role may be involved in several applications.
The proposals are open for local, regional, and international scholars. The proposals aim at encouraging networking and quadruple helix partnerships in research. Also, projects by intra-disciplinary or interdisciplinary research groups are encouraged. Grantees of previous year’s Futures Research Grant (2020) are eligible only if they have satisfied all requirements (letter of acceptance for publication) and concluded their research.

5. Deadline for submission

The deadline for receipt of the full proposals is Saturday, May 29, 2021. Applicants of winning proposals will be notified by end of June 2021.

6. Duration, progress and instalments

The duration of the proposal execution is one year, starting from the date of acceptance of the proposal.
A progress report should be submitted to the Director of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies after six months and a final report at completion. Progress reports are brief statements regarding progress made on all proposed research steps. They should mention targeted journals and status of acceptance.
The funding will be based on 2 instalments (20% and 80% of the total budget), these instalments are subjected to approval from the Director of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies and are based on the following criteria:

1. After acceptance of the proposal, 20 % of the fund can be released after an online 5-10 minute video presentation of the objectives and action plan.
2. Before receiving the last 80% of the budget, the applicant should have submitted and received acceptance for a Scopus or ISI indexed journal article.

After 6 months, a 30-60 minute lecture is given by researchers on an online event organized by PMU and WFSF.

 

Please note that:

1. All expenses for attended conference along with the publication fees should be covered from the budget that the applicant will receive.
2. All the papers (conference and journal) should include an acknowledgement for Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University and the World Futures Studies Federation.

7. Proposal format and boundaries

Proposals are to be submitted in electronic form (Word or Pdf format) and must include the following components:

Abstract: Define the Research Problem. Describe the Relevance and Significance of the issue to be addressed. Choose a significant and attractive title for your research.

Scope: Describe the range of area you wish to address and justification for the choice.

Objectives: State specific, measurable, relevant, and time-bound objectives. Relate the project to theoretical needs and demonstrate their impacts on the society.

Description of the Proposed Project: How will this project be undertaken? List how it will be creative, scientific, and has a societal impact. Show how the project supports the purpose.

Literature Review: Summarize the relevant literature and describe and explain the need for a new study that you are proposing to validate, extrapolate or to criticize the previous findings.

Methodology: The methodology section should describe how each specific objective will be achieved, with enough detail to enable an independent and informed assessment of the proposal. This section should include research task, data collection, data analysis and specific tools that will study each research objective.

Budget Details: State the expenses related to: salaries, data collection, books, stationary, communications, etc.

Administrative details.

The proposals must be presented in a sufficiently brief way according to the following boundaries:

An outline of the proposal that you will submit the research problem, relevance and significance of the research issue, and the impact on society (no more than 600 words).

A research synopsis clearly indicating the Research objectives, scope, proposed research methodology, a budget specification and the time frame (no more than 2,000 words).

A synopsis of the applicant(s) (no more than 300 words per applicant) as well as administrative/contact data.

8. Proposal Review and Approval Process

The following criteria will be adopted to select the best proposals:

Relevance of the proposal: The degree to which the proposal addresses present or future issues needed worldwide including but not limited to economy, and society

Priority of selection: Priority will be given to proposals that serve and are aligned with the Saudi Vison 2030.

Objectives: The specificity, measurability, attainability, and time frame.

Contribution: How significant are the contributions to the discipline, and the society.

Proposer’s Past Scholarship/Expertise: Expertise of the applicants in relation to the proposed research.

Research Methodology: The degree to which the proposal represents a creative and scientific approach (quantitative or proven qualitative methods) to the accomplishment of objectives.

Feasibility: Potential for longer-term sustainability beyond the period of the proposed research.

Cost effectiveness: Budget is complete, realistic, and justifiable.

9. Submission method

https://pmu.edu.sa/forms/scientificresearchgrant/index

FUTURES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL 2020

Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies (PMFCFS) and World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) announced FIRST FUTURES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL on February 12, 2020.
The objective of this grant was to encourage more researchers to explore and research in disciplines related to energy and sustainability, education, and youth empowerment, environment and climate change, and artificial intelligence.
PMFCFS received more than 100 proposals from multiple countries such as Australia, Brazil, United States, Finland, France, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Read more…