The Annual University Research Fund (AURF), an internal source of research funding, is available to faculty members of the colleges on a competitive basis. Since the fund is limited, the grant is competitive and the colleges, therefore, expressed that those faculty members with little or no research experience were at a disadvantage while competing for research grants from the University. The grants are usually awarded to quality research proposals which usually originate from experienced researchers. In order to provide a level playing field for all faculty members interested in research, the following funding strategies are proposed:
- Distinguished Senior Scholar Grant
This research grant will be central in promoting the quality of research and developing the capacity of other academics in research. The grants shall be eligible to scholars with extensive research experience and international publications. In the process of research, the senior scholar should involve the young and mid-level researchers to develop their research capacity.
Grant Amount: Nu. 220,000
Number of Grants/Year: One
Criteria: The faculty should meet one of the following criteria:
- Three or more publications in peer reviewed journals as the main author
- Seven or more publications in national and international journals as the main author
- Three or more publications in international seminars and conferences as the main author
- Seven or more publications in national seminars and conferences as the main author
- Services worth more than Nu. 15,00,000 to external agencies as the principle investigator/consultant
Note: Preference will be given to proposals involving beginning and mid-level researchers and students
- Research Network Promotion Grant
The grant is aimed at facilitating the establishment of linkage and network with other higher education and research institutions. The grant will also be vital in establishing collaboration amongst researchers of RUB and other organizations both within and outside of Bhutan. The grants shall only be awarded for collaborative and joint researches between two institutions (between two member colleges, between RUB and external agency). Such grants shall be initiated by faculty members from RUB with extensive research experience.
Grant Amount: Nu. 200,000
Number of Grants/Year: One
Criteria: The grant will only be awarded to joint or collaborative research between the faculty of two or more member colleges or between the RUB faculty and external researchers outside the University.
Criteria for Principle Researcher: The principle researcher should fulfill one of the following criteria:
- 2 or more publications in peer reviewed journals as the main author
- 5 or more publications in national and international journals as the main author
- Two or more publications in international seminars and conferences as the main author
- Four or more publications in national seminars and conferences as the main author
Note: If the collaborators are from institutions outside Bhutan, only the expenses of RUB academics and Bhutanese researchers shall be permissible.
- Research Career Development Grant
The grant is aimed at strengthening the research capability of mid-career academics of the University who contribute to the education and training of students. The grants shall be provided to mid-career academics with little research experience and few publications (at both national and international levels).
Grant Amount: Nu. 60,000
Number of Grants/Year: Four
Criteria: The faculty should meet one of the following criteria:
- 1 – 2 publications in peer reviewed journals as the main author
- 1 – 6 publications in national and international journals as the main author
- 1 – 2 publications in international seminars and conferences as the main author
- 1 – 6 in national seminars and conferences as the main author
- Services up to Nu. 15,00,000 to external agencies as the principle investigator/consultant
- Beginning Researcher Grant:
The grant is aimed at supporting new researchers and academics to establish their career in research. The grant shall only be eligible to beginning researchers with very little or no research experience. The grant may provide beginning researchers the opportunity to participate in research and decide their future career options.
Grant Amount: Nu. 30,000
Number of Grants/Year: Six
Criteria: The faculty should fulfill the following criteria:
- 1 – 2 publications in any form (including dissertation or projects)
- Identification of supervisors and letter of acceptance to supervise the beginning researcher
Note: If the research leads to publication, it shall be a joint publication between the supervisor and the researcher
Conversion of publication and services
The following conversion method will be used if the researchers have different types of publications:
- 2 non-refereed publication = 1 peer reviewed publication
- 1 International conference = 1 peer reviewed publication
- 2 National conferences and seminar = 1 International conference
- Service worth Nu. 500,000 = 1 International Conference
- 2 co-authors = 1 main author