The mission of the University Research Board (URB) is to foster and improve the research environment of the American University of Beirut. As a Committee of the University Senate, the University Research Board formulates policies and guidelines for the allocation of funds for Research and Faculty Development. It considers policies to be followed in seeking grants support from external agencies, and it acts in an advisory capacity to the Provost in the implementation of policies pertaining to allocation of grants for Research and Faculty Development. It also edits and publishes the Biannual Research Report of the University.

The URB is also responsible for resolving any dispute or differences between Principal Investigators and/or Co-Principal Investigators on copyright issues on proposals and publications. The URB will mediate and negotiate between the parties and is empowered to make a ruling which will be binding by all parties involved.

Membership of the URB consists of two representatives from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (one from the Arts and one from the Sciences) and one from each of the other Faculties, elected by the Faculty for a term of three years, with the Provost as an ex-officio member. The Chairperson is appointed by the President.     

Currently, the URB supports AUB faculty research with the following types of funding:

1. Short-term development (trips to international conferences to present a paper are fully funded with travel, 100% per diem up to seven days (Per diem covers hotel stay/night + food (-if the hotel rate does not exceed the daily allowance, food is counted to a total up to 75$ daily/-if hotel rate does exceed the daily allowance, 50$/day is added to the food item), and registration up to $ 550; normally, faculty who apply to attend a conference without presenting a paper will not be funded.
2. Long-term development, which consists of two weeks to two months of research visits during the summer months.
3. Visiting senior scholar grants, to invite scholars from abroad.
   

1. Research grants to support individual or collaborative research projects, including the salaries of research assistants, materials, minor equipment (which must be specifically justified in the grant proposal.)
2. Seed grants for new faculty.

Contact information

American University of Beirut
Office of the Provost
Extension 2510
Fax (01) 363283
Email md02@aub.edu.lb