<p> University of Balamand The University Research Council The Balamand Research Fund</p><p>CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS Academic Year 2016 / 2017</p><p>I. Introduction</p><p>The University Research Council is calling for Research Proposals to be considered for funding within the framework of the Balamand Research Fund approved by the University Council. This document and its attachments cover important information that should allow eligible and interested faculty members to present research proposals for consideration for funding.</p><p>II. The Balamand Research Fund</p><p>The Balamand Research Fund has been estalised by the University to provide support to efforts to expand research at the University. It is governed by the University Council with advice and technical assistance from the University Research Council. Principles and Procedures governing the operations of the Fund are detailed in the document “The Balamand Research Fund – Principles and Procedures”. Two funding possibilities are available:  The Balamand Research Grants (BRG) for small two years projects with a maximum supporting fund of 5.000 USD per year  The big Balamand Research Grants (bBRG) a three year project with a maximum supporting fund of 50.000 USD for the whole duration of the project. One project shall be funded per call.</p><p>III. Guidelines For Submitting Proposals:</p><p>Interested and eligible faculty members should adhere to the following guidelines in preparing and submitting their proposals. The document “The Balamand Research Fund – Principles and Procedures” is integral to the guidelines.</p><p>1- Priorities: Research proposals should fall within the framework of approved University Research Priorities. The University Research Priorities are set by the University Research Council. Research priorities for this year are as follows:</p><p>The Balamand Research Fund CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS Page 1 of 4 Academic Year 2015 / 2016 i- Antiochan Orthodox theology, thought, tradition and heritage This covers the history of Antioch and the Orthodox thought, the cultural heritage and tradition of Antioch and of the Orthodox Church as well as the study of the manuscripts of the patriarchate of Antioch. In a wider sense, it also covers the biblical theology and the hermeneutics. Christian ethics are also a priority under this title. ii- Arab thought and history of Lebanon, the Mediterranean and Arab the Region The modern Arab thought, the recent political changes in the Arab world, the Arab Renaissance and the role of the Christians are covered in this priority. Mediterranean studies are also part of this priority. iii- Biology and biochemistry with application in herbal medicine and plant natural products iv- Biomedical sciences and engineering This priority includes research in cardiovascular physiology and modeling, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, microbiology, mitochondrial efficiency in health and disease, and regulation of nutrient and fluid absorption. v- Cancer Studies and Oncology Cancer biochemistry and molecular genetics and oncology form this priority vi- Christian-Muslim studies The Relation between religions: Islam-Christianity in particular vii- Environmental sciences and engineering This includes the public and environmental Health, the building environment, the environmental engineering. Sustainable development and sustainable and clean energy and power systems are also covered by this priority. Working on environment catalysts is also a research priority. viii- Financial Economics, Management and Marketing This covers translational research in the domain of Management, Marketing and Hospitality Management as well as Financial Economics and Development Economics. ix- Genetics The effect of common genetic polymorphisms on the metabolism of drugs and response to therapy, the genetic risk factors in common diseases and the genetic predisposing factors in psychiatric disorders are considered as priority. x- Health sciences, pain and epidemiology This covers public health, maternal, neonatal and child health, social, psychological and cultural determinants of health, leadership in health and nursing. Molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases in Lebanon is also a priority as well as the pain biology. xi- Human-machine interfaces, information technology and communications This covers communication systems, computational linguistics, Information Technology and software development. xii- Languages, literature, and educational studies Comparative linguistics as well as Arabic, French and English literatures are considered as priority. Didactic of Arabic, French and English languages is also part of this priority. xiii- Materials and structures</p><p>The Balamand Research Fund CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS Page 2 of 4 Academic Year 2015 / 2016 Including applied mechanics, concrete structures, metallic structures, and earthquake engineering. xiv- Mathematics and in particular statistics xv- Microelectronics, electronics, robotics and control xvi- Nanotechnology and nanomaterials xvii- Nutrition and Food Sciences This also includes the food Safety xviii- Psychiatry and psychology Prevalence and effects of psychiatric disorders. xix- Thermofluids and aeronautics</p><p>2- Format: Researchers should submit proposals in accordance with the attached form for both BRG and bBRG projects.</p><p>3- Points of Emphasis:</p><p>The University Research Council will favor proposals that: 3.1- Are submitted by junior faculty particularly if this is their first research activity within the University. 3.2- Are multidisciplinary / interdisciplinary in theme, objectives and approach 3.3- Aim at applied added value outputs and outcomes within the framework of prevailing industrial, economic and social needs. 3.4- Result in credible publications particularly in peer-reviewed journals. 3.5- Are based on team effort grouping faculty members together and linking faculty members to colleagues and researchers in other universities and / or research institutions. 3.6- Encourage mentorship with senior faculty members serving as mentors to principal investigators. 3.7- Support graduate programs at the University. 3.8- Deal with and aim at solving a national and/or local problem. 3.9- [For bBRG only] Involve external socio-economic partners.</p><p>In addition, researchers are responsible for: i- submitting complete proposals within set deadlines. Incomplete proposals will not be considered. ii- securing “ethical clearance” as appropriate (Refer to document “The Balamand Research Fund – Principles and Procedures”; item E-3). iii- adhering to set procedures and guidelines. </p><p>The Balamand Research Fund CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS Page 3 of 4 Academic Year 2015 / 2016 4- Important Dates: The following dates should be respected: 1- Proposals should be submitted to the Dean no later than Monday September 25, 2017 at 5:00 PM. The Dean forwards proposals to the University Research Council in accordance with item E-4 of “The Balamand Research Fund – Principles and Procedures”. Following that, researchers will get written confirmation of their application from the University Research Council within one week. 2- The University Research Council submits recommendations to the University Council by Monday January 22, 2018. 3- The University Research Council will announce awards by Monday February 12, 2018.</p><p>5- Remarks Regarding the Review Process: Regarding the review process, it is important to note that: 1. External reviewers selected by a small committee and who are known to be experts in the proposal’s field are sought to support in the review process 2. The reviews received are the basis of the evaluation result 3. The priorities indicated above are not exclusive and excellent proposals outside those priorities might get granted but with a smaller rate of success.</p><p>6- Queries And Additional Information: Mr. Nicolas Ayoub [Office of Grants] Tel: 3894 E-mail: [email protected]</p><p>Dr. Chafic Mokbel Tel: 3255 E-mail: [email protected]</p><p>The Balamand Research Fund CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS Page 4 of 4 Academic Year 2015 / 2016</p>