Funding Information and Resources

The Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (LNCSR)

The Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (LNCSR) is a governmental organization which supports research projects that have a direct impact on the productive sectors, the environment, public health and socio economic development in accordance with its set national research priorities.

1. LNCSR Proposal Preparation

Types of Support
LNCSR Research Priorities
LNCSR Research Application (Proposal) Procedures
Project Period and Funding Limits
Principal Investigator Eligibility
PI and Office of Grants and Contracts Responsibilities
Proposals Requiring Special Review
Proposal Checklist

2. LNCSR Grants Administration

Project Renewal
Renewal Application Checklist
Final Reporting

1. LNCSR Proposal Preparation

Types of Support

Research Projects: It promotes research and related activities in Lebanon and maintains Research Centers, funds research projects, sponsors various task forces, and is engaged in continuous scientific programs. It awards research grants in different fields of study especially those that are related to sustainable development. It gives priority to the support of research projects of an applied nature that may have direct impact on production, the environment, public health, human development, and the economic sectors in Lebanon. It also supports basic and social sciences research projects that would contribute to the enhancement of higher education and enhance applied research.

The Council gives priority to projects presented in a specific scientific area by a group of researchers forming a research team or part of a laboratory that is a participant in the Council's programs (associated laboratory LNCSR), as long as the projects are of an applied nature. The Council encourages the formation of research teams from researchers who work in similar or complementary fields and who had previously received support from the Council.

Workshop/Travel Support: The Council will provide support for those researchers wishing to participate in international conferences to represent their LNCSR project findings and results. The support is provided in lump sum amounts as follows:

• 600,000 L.L. for conference in Syria

• 1,000,000 L.L. for a conference in Egypt, or Jordan, or Cyprus, or Turkey

• 1,500,000 L.L. for a conference in the Fulf or Morocco and region

• 2,000,000 L.L. for a conference in Durope or the United States of America 

LNCSR Research Priorities

The LNCSR will support projects which are aligned with its thematic priorities and research areas. The Council's thematic priorities can be found on its website: http://www.cnrs.edu.lb/GRP08/GRProgram08.doc where you will also find the Council's Program Guidelines and Budget Information.

LNCSR Application (Proposal) Procedures

The LNCSR requires that proposals be submitted on its application forms which can be accessed from its website: http://www.cnrs.edu.lb/GRP08.html. The application form of the LNCSR is comprised of two sections:

Section one: Administrative Information (must be signed by the Dean and the President)

Section two: This section includes the proposal and consists of the following sections:
1. Title of the proposed project
2. Project goal
3. Project purpose
4. Project Summary
5. Keywords
6. Introduction
7. Project background
8. Outputs and activities
9. Work Plan (timetable)
10. Project Methodology/ Project Description
11. Measurable indicators
12. Budget and budget justification (see funding limit)
13. PI publications (the last five years)
14. References

Project Period and Funding Limits

The LNCSR funds one or two year projects for a total budget of 15,000,000 L.L. per year. The allowable costs include costs:

• Labor and personnel (up to a maximum of 6,000,000 L.L.),

• Field work (up to 2,000,000 L.L.),

• Supplies, consumables, chemicals, laboratory supplies or tests (up to 3,500,000 L.L.),

• Software (up to 1,500,000 L.L.),

• Research expenses / equipment accessories (1,500,000 L.L.), and

• Miscellaneous costs (500,000 L.L.)

Principal Investigator Eligibility

Only full-time faculty members with a Ph.D are eligible to apply, this however does not apply to part-time medical doctors.

Proposal Submission Deadlines

The LNCSR usually has two application cycles per year. The exact deadline dates will be announced by OGC via e-mail. To allow ample time for review, investigators are advised to submit their applications to the Office of Grants and Contracts at least 7-8 days prior to the submission deadline.

The Council will not review application for new funding if the Principal Investigator has an on-going project whose contract period has not ended.

PI and Office of Grants and Contracts Responsibilities

While the faculty member is responsible for writing the proposal, The Office of Grants and Contracts can assist in answering any queries related to the format, structure and budgeting. The Office is the official liaison between the University and the LNCSR and is responsible for reviewing the proposal application and budget before sending it to the president for his signature. The Office is also responsible for the formal submission of the proposal to the LNCSR.

Proposals Requiring Special Review

a. Human Subjects

Proposals involving human testing must obtain the approval of the Institutional Research Board (IRB). For application to the IRB, faculty members should follow IRB's principles and procedures which can be found under the Faculty of Medicine Research website. Please note that faculty members are required to include the IRB approval with their proposals, as no proposal will be processed by OGC unless the human subject protocol has been either submitted for review or has been already approved.

b. Animal Subjects

Proposals involving animal subjects must obtain an animal use application and approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to submission of the proposal. For application to the IACUC, faculty members should follow IACUC's principles and procedures, and filing out the Animal Use Form. Please note that faculty members are required to include the IACUC's approval with their proposals, as no proposal will be processed by OGC unless the animal subject protocol has been either submitted for review or has been already approved.

c. Radio Active Material

Research proposals that involve the use of radioactive material or radiation producing machines, or use of radiation in structural programs, radiation medical applications must obtain the written approval of the University Radiation Safety Committee. This can be achieved by submitting an application for a license Application For Possession And Use of Radionuclides to the Health Physics Services. The application must be approved by the Committee before the ordering of radioactive material or radiation producing devices.

Proposal Checklist

Applicants should complete and sign the following documents/forms included in the application package and send them to the Office of Grants and Contracts.

1. The original LNCSR's Administrative Application Form (Arabic)

2. The original LNCSR Proposal Transmittal and Approval Form (English)

3. Three copies of the proposal

4. One original and one copy of updated curriculum vitae (CV) of the principal investigator(s) and co-investigator(s).

5. Soft copy of proposal on CD or floppy disk

6. IRB Form (if using human subjects)

7. Animal Use Form (if using animal subjects).

8. Radiation Form (If using radioactive material).

9. Signed "Survey of Scientific Resources in Lebanon" form

NOTE: Incomplete applications (i.e. those that do not include the above mentioned items or are not signed) and those that do not conform to the LNCSR application guidelines will delay the submission and may result in missing the submission deadline.

2. LNCSR Grants Administration

Project Renewal
If the researcher received an award for a period of two years, the project may be renewed for a second year upon reporting of satisfactory scientific results and findings. However if a PI has initially requested a one year period for his/her project, the LNCSR will not approve its renewal for another year.

Project Renewal for year 2 of the Project
The researcher is requested to submit a progress report detailing the findings and project outputs which were stated in his/her application. The renewal is assured if the researcher published an article in the Lebanese scientific journal entitled: Lebanese Science Journal or any specialized and recognized academic journal (or has had an article accepted for publication), or has published a book on the reserached topic. 

If the project period ended without producing results, and if the researcher did not publish an article as a result of the funding, the Council will suspend any further research funding for the researcher in the future. This decision is subject for review and consideration if the researcher submits or publishes an article in the Lebanese journal entitled: Lebanese Science Journal or in a specialized and recognized academic jouornal.

Renewal Application Checklist
Investigators wishing to renew their projects and receive additional funds for year two of their projects they are requested to submit the following documents to the Office of Grants and Contracts:

1. One original completed and signed LNCSR Renewal Application Form

2. Two copies of the progress report. The progress report should include:

a) Description of what has been achieved as a result of LNCSR support and the project findings and outputs.
b) What were the outcomes of the project? Were any abstracts, articles, or any other publications produced? Was there a conference or workshop on the subject?

3. Two copies of published articles or papers.

Final Reporting

Upon the completion of projects, principal investigators should submit a final report to the LNCSR. The Office of Grants and Contracts is responsible for the formal submission of the report. The report should include the below stated sections and answer the following questions:

a) Title of the project (in English and Arabic) as stated on the LNCSR contract.
b) Start date and duration of the project (as stated on the LNCSR contract)
c) The objectives of the project and the expected project outcomes and results as stated in the proposal. State which of the objectives and outcomes were achieved at the end of the project.
d) A brief and precise description of the achieved project activities. Include the obstacles that were faced, if any.
e) Description of the role of all project staff (principal investigator, co-principal investigator(s), research assistant(s), and other staff who were involved in the project implementation and as stated in the proposal).
f) List of publications that were published in scientific journals, with a copy of the articles as published.