General Rules:

• The PI in the project must be an employee of King Saud University.
• At least one Co. I. must be from King Saud University
• The research team must be in limited numbers and every individual’s names must be provided in the research proposal/ application form.
• The number of the research team, their role, task and the budget allocated to them must be justified.
• The qualifications, experiences of all participants must be related with the research project theme.
• The roles and the responsibilities of team members must according to the task of the project (mention in management plan) and they must abide their role
• The name of the Co. I. must be given/ registered when submitting the project.
• A team member cannot perform as combine for two member’s task in the project. In case of a necessity, such as the P.I. may perform the project management duties, but the compensation will be rewarded for his role only (P.I).
• The head researcher is prohibited from altering the research project in any way once the supervisory committee announces its approval to fund it, unless the head researcher obtains written consent from the unit, taking into consideration the rules of changing the task team stated by these regulations.
• At least one graduate student must be include in the project
• A researcher as P.I. can participate in  three projects only
• A  researcher may participate in more than three research projects within the strategic technologies program on following conditions:

1. The researcher must have a “highly recommended” projects funded by NPST.
2. The researcher should not have three projects as a P.I.
3. If a researcher participating more than three project but the compensation will be given from three projects only.

Exceptional Rules:

• P.I.: Must hold a PhD degree and must be an employee of King Saud University.  The P.I. will look overall the project work including scientific and technical aspects of the project. In addition to his/her role he/she may perform the administrative work in the absence of a project manager.
• Project Manager: Must be having a PMP certificate or hold a certification of attendance of a PMP training course. The project manager and must carry out the following work:

1. Manage the program according to PMP technical rules and methodology.
2. Coordinate among project team members to ensure with its duration.
3. Periodically report to the NPST on project progress.
4. Open an account for the project and use the funds as project requirement and progress.
5. In charge for purchasing project supplies and equipment etc.
6. Administratively manage all project team members with except the team members such as: research assistants, technical and administrative personnel etc.
7. The project manager can be participate for only one operational project

• Co. Investigator (Co.I) : Must hold a PhD or Master’s degree. The research project must be directly related to their area of expertise, and they must be in charge of the technical tasks assigned by the P.I. according to the project plan and operation.
• The Co.I.  may be from KSU or from other institute/university in the Kingdom. The researcher from outside of the university must provide a consent letter from the employer, the NPST notify to the general secretariat for conducting/preforming his/her duty. The following rules must be adopted during the research work:

1. The national comprehensive policy for R & D.
2. The scientific integrity policy.
3. Laws of research ethics on living creatures.
4. Rules AND Regulations of NSTIP/NPST

• Involvement of Researcher form outside of King Saud University (KSU)

1. The researchers from outside of King Saud University (KSU) may participate for the projects after submitting a written consent from his/her organization. The PI should inform to the NPST for getting his/her approval from the General Secretariat.
2. The researchers from outside the Kingdom can participate in a proposal bear the following instruction:  

• Unavailability of specialists within the Kingdom to perform the tasks.
• The number of the researchers should not exceed more than 2 in one research project. Or it must be of 25% of the research team
• The tasks of the researcher (s) must include the technology transfer to the Kingdom..
• He/She should perform at least 30% of the research tasks of the project in the King Saud University.
• The researcher must be from a world-renowned universities or research centers.
• At least three publications in reputed journals with high impact factor, or a patent on his name or have got an international scientific award within the last two years.
• The researcher is limited to participate in one research project.
• The research will not get remuneration/compensation more than the 25% of the approved budget allocated to the project.

• Graduate students: Their task / role will be as per regulation of NPST item (a) , provided. They are responsible for the activities assigned by the P.I.  according to the project plan of action on following conditions:
  1. Must be students in Saudi universities and colleges and preferably Saudi nationals.
  2. Subject specialization must be related to the project theme or topic.
• Undergraduate students: Undergraduate students may include in the research team and carry out the tasks assigned by the P.I.
• Consultants: A consultant may be join to a project  from the Kingdom (Internal) or form outside of the Kingdom (External) with following conditions:
  • The consultant must be highly qualified and experienced to work on a project.
  • The number of consultants must be limited. Two consultants may work for a project per year.
  • The consulting period may not exceed 15 days/year per consultant.
  • The consultant resume and his/her consent must be included in the proposal. The consultant letter stating that he/she is agrees to work as consultant and review the proposal scientifically or technically.