
Introduction:
As part of its commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) is launching the PSAU 2030 SDG Roadmap. A core component of this plan is the university's investment in supporting Saudi Arabia's SDG objectives through advanced research. As humanity faces unprecedented challenges, it also stands on the verge of significant technological breakthroughs. According to the United Nations, research, development, and technology are critical to achieving SDGs. In line with this, PSAU has approved a research program focused on the SDGs, with the details outlined below. The 2023/2024 cycle of the PSAU SDG Research Funding Program (PSAU SDG-RFP) focuses on leveraging technological advancements to address SDG challenges related to five key areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships.
Program Conditions:
To be eligible for funding, faculty members must meet the following criteria:
- Must be affiliated with PSAU.
- Demonstrate a commitment to research that addresses SDGs.
- Submit a proposal for evaluation.
- The funding within the PSAU SDG framework is based on carefully designed, tested, and validated strategies to achieve measurable contributions in the following areas:
- Projects: Must yield tangible results with a positive and measurable impact on one or more of the 17 SDGs.
- Policies: Pioneering legislative or regulatory reforms that, if enacted, could enhance the use of technologies to address SDGs.
- Innovative Applications: Game-changing solutions or practical deployment of technologies to advance SDG achievements.
PSAU SDG Project Categories:
Category 1: People – Empowering Lives and Communities
Projects in this category might include:
- Providing access to technology and information for marginalized communities.
- Technologies that empower individuals through skills training and job opportunities.
- Enhancing equitable access to healthcare and education through technology.
- Technologies promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
- Improving the quality of life and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
The "People" category addresses the following SDGs:
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Category 2: Planet – Innovation for Our Climate and Environment
Projects in this category focus on:
- Using technology to monitor access to clean water and sanitation.
- Designing smart technologies for energy consumption and expanding renewable energy.
- Sustainable urban planning and smart city solutions.
- Technology applications for responsible consumption and waste management.
- Solutions to mitigate climate change, enhance climate resilience, and conserve marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The "Planet" category addresses the following SDGs:
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Category 3: Prosperity – Advancing Economic Growth
Projects under this category focus on:
- Technology-driven entrepreneurship and digital innovation, supporting startups.
- Leveraging technology for job creation and skills development, particularly for youth and vulnerable populations.
- Sustainable infrastructure initiatives utilizing technology in urban planning, energy, transportation, and other essential services.
The "Prosperity" category addresses the following SDGs:
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Category 4: Peace and Partnerships – Building Inclusive and Peaceful Societies
Research activities in this category will prioritize technologies that enhance international cooperation, governance, transparency, and stakeholder collaboration. This category may include projects such as:
- Using technology to promote peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and social cohesion.
- Enhancing access to justice through technologies that improve legal systems.
- Promoting transparency and governance by providing platforms for citizen engagement with institutions.
The "Peace and Partnerships" category aligns with the following SDGs:
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Funding Priorities and Expected Outcomes:
Priority will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate how their outcomes align with the SDGs, including the 169 targets and 230 indicators. While traditional outcomes will be funded, innovative results with compelling links to SDG achievements will also be considered.
Expected Outcomes:
- Research articles indexed in Q1 or Q2 categories in Elsevier databases (the number of publications depends on the actual funding granted).
- Initiatives leading to the creation of startups focused on SDGs.
Each result must include a graphical summary clearly illustrating the relationship between the project outcomes and the SDGs, their targets, and indicators.
Funding Amount:
- Up to 125,000 SAR (the funding amount varies based on the proposal's scope, quality, and expected outcomes).
Project Duration:
- 12 months
Project Ownership:
- All project results are owned by PSAU and must be properly acknowledged through the required funding statements.
Authorship:
- PSAU faculty members must be the first or corresponding author in all outputs funded under this program.
- At least 50% of authorship in all project results must come from institutions in countries with equal or lower economic standing compared to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, these authors must come from at least two different geographic entities.
Application Form:
- Personal Details:
- Name:
- Rank: (Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor)
- ID Number:
- Employee Number:
- College:
- Department:
- Project Details:
- Category (Choose 1): People - Planet - Prosperity - Peace and Partnerships.
- Targeted SDGs (at least 2): SDG 1-17.
- Targets (refer to link).
- Indicators (refer to link).
- Highlight current challenges the project aims to address.
- Explain how technology can address these challenges.
- Provide measurable outcomes related to achieving the targets and indicators.
Proposal Submission:
Submit the research proposal via the following link:
Project Closure:
- The project will only be closed once the Scopus page for the research displays the achieved SDGs. Researchers must contact Scopus if the SDGs are not displayed before requesting project closure.