Internal Grants

Internal grants are derived from the University’s annual budget and other internal resources, as well as unconditional research donations made to the University by outside bodies, without stipulating specific restrictions on the research topic. Internal grants are used to support academic research which is expected to yield original results or findings that generate new knowledge and to develop concepts consistent with the research and educational objectives of the University. Results obtained are also likely to generate interest in a subsequent research project of a broader scope to be considered from other funds. For More Information Please Reference to Researcher Guide. 

Deanship of Research Grants

The Deanship of Research announces the launch of the Deanship of Research Fund program Applications are open all year and are evaluated twice a year in mid-May and in mid-November in accordance with the process and responsibilities. For more information, Please Click Here. Joint Grants The University may allocate a budget to match funds from other institutions to form a Joint Grants Fund to jointly support a research program. This type of research grant is governed by a signed research agreement with the other institution. For More Information Please Reference to Guide Here.

GCC Research Program 

The GCC Research program was established after the meeting of the founding university members in Doha in May 2016. Representatives from the universities of United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman agreed to form the program as a regional umbrella to coordinate, refine and enhance collaboration between the GCC universities in all aspects of academic life. The program is open for all the universities and research institutes operating in the region to join, and welcomes regional initiatives that further its objectives. For more information, Please Click Here.

HM Grants ( Strategic) 

The generous funds donated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos are used to support long-term, multidisciplinary strategic research projects of importance to the Sultanate. The aim of such projects is to generate new knowledge and discoveries leading to substantial socio-economic benefits to the Omani society in the long run. Researchers are expected to obtain major results and identify anticipated direct benefits to prospective users. This type of research is expected to help the University build an infrastructure for “centers of excellence” in vital areas, in addition to making a solid contribution to the advancement of University’s academic programs. This type of research should generally go along with the Sultanate's long term planning goals. For More Information Please Reference to Researcher Guide. 

The Research Council Grants

Faculty are encouraged to seek funding from The Research Council. Under this scheme, projects may be funded through the open research grants or strategic grants. Open research grants are funds for academic research. They are considered a key driver of wealth and social progress and are instrumental in producing new knowledge leading to future applications, markets or social understanding. Strategic grants support strategic research activities and aim to gain or consolidate leadership in key areas. They must relate to themes identified by the Research Council as the most important fields of knowledge, where research capacity and excellence are particularly important to improve Oman’s ability to address the social, economic, public health and environmental challenges of the future. For More Information Please Reference to Researcher Guide. 

External Grants

External grants are received from sponsors, such as national, regional and international agencies, industry, individuals and philanthropic organizations, to support academic research in certain specific fields. The Deanship of Research gathers information on such donations and disseminates it to Colleges and Research Centers, for circulation to researchers. In some cases the researcher may apply directly to the sponsor. However, the Deanship’s approval has to be obtained. For More Information Please Reference to Researcher Guide. 

BP Grants

On the 21st of December 2016, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and BP Exploration (EPSILON) Limited signed a research grant agreement. This grant is intended to be used for providing financial support for faculty and researchers at SQU who wish to pursue research projects in the area of Energy Sustainability. Applications are open from 16th of April every year and are evaluated in accordance with the process and responsibilities. For more information, Please Click Here

Omantel Grant

 Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and Omantel signed a grant agreement. The grant is intended to support research and development activities and other forms of scientific and technical cooperation between SQU and Omantel. The total budget allocated by the company for this grant is OMR 60,000 per year for 5 years. This grant is intended to be used for providing financial support for faculty and researchers at SQU who wish to pursue research projects identified by Omantel. For more information, Please Click Here.

Consultancy Services 

Industry and business from the private and public sectors stand to benefit from University’s know-how and technical facilities through consultancy activities sponsored by them. This typically involves applied research for problem solving and in some cases systematic development of new knowledge for the benefit of the sponsor, to address current problems (threats), create new opportunities, or sometimes encounter unexpected discoveries. The experience gained contributes to the advancement of the University’s research capabilities and academic programs, making them more relevant to addressing major social and economic problems of the Sultanate, while building stronger research ties with various sectors. It also creates an innovative and entrepreneurial environment at the University for generating intellectual property, with commercial potential that would promote a new knowledge-based industry, create local employment, and bring additional revenues to the University from licensing royalties. In addition, in some colleges these activities improve the prospect for future employment of research students by sponsoring organizations. Besides expertise, the nature of the project may also require the use of University facilities. For More Information Please Reference to Researcher Guide. 

International Co-Funding Program

The International Co-funding Program (ICFP) aims at promoting strategic, multi-disciplinary collaborative research conducted by the university’s faculty, staff, and postgraduate students with international researchers. In addition to its strategic benefits, it establishes a framework for international collaboration that provides SQU researchers access for collaboration with their international counterparts. The main concept of the co-funding program is the facilitation of international collaboration with internationally recognized institution and researchers. This program will offer numerous benefits to the university and Oman, including the promotion of research caliber and capacity building, increasing the university’s research output and intellectual property, and building strong international networks with research focused institutions, which will directly contribute to SQU’s internationalization and global standing. For more information click ...

Undergraduate Student Research Fund (USRF):

The USRF at SQU operates by selecting undergraduate student research projects with the highest potential to result in IP, innovative outputs, value-added products and services, and solutions for socio-economic issues, and extending various forms of support to them. Once selected by first the College Research Committee and then the Deanship of Research Central Evaluation Committee, awarded projects receive financial support to help guarantee the production of IP, high quality innovative products, prototype, or services, and/or solutions to socio-economic issues. In addition, undergraduate students supported by the program are given the opportunity, under the guidance of their faculty supervisors, to interact with faculty and experts from across the university to discuss their projects, and with industry representatives and other concerned stakeholders whose input may enhance project outcomes. For more information click ...