Q & A

Some people who are granted new jobs in Qatar, and who are eligible for JSREP submission may miss the date of application because they will come to Qatar after the deadline has passed.

They can submit in the second Cycle. It is important to have a valid Qatari ID card and residency permit at the time of submission. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:28:36

Is it possible to reconsider the eligibility age of 40 to be 42 or 43 instead?

No, not at this point. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:27:45

If an applicant at the time of submitting the LoI is 40 and then he/she becomes 41 the day after, is he/she still eligible?

The condition of age applies at the date of LoI submission. Therefore, if you are 40 and become 41 the day after submission, you are still eligible. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:26:50

Your conditions are stiff. Do you think these conditions can be applied easily in Qatar?

The aim of this program is to support the Junior Scientist to undertake independent research. For this reason, the Junior Scientist must have some research experience acquired during or after his PhD program, demonstrated by at least two peer-reviewed publications. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:25:37

Why you are allowing indirect cost of 20% for the ROs; why are ROs not covering it similarly to an NIH equivalent program?

The indirect cost is up to 20%. This means that it could be zero. We encourage the ROs to reduce their indirect cost percentage or to waive it. However, the Junior Scientists can negotiate with their ROs to have the maximum fund allocated to personnel. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:24:39

Upon registering a Research Office's representative, can we identify more than one representative; can we transfer the RO representative's privilege to another person?

This program has the same flexibility as NPRP. Authorized research offices' representatives can assign interim representatives with the privilege of sharing information. Therefore, any RO's representative who is on vacation can designate an interim representative the right to open the submitted proposals for edit. We expect that the workload for vetting JSREP proposals will not be as much as NPRP. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:23:13

In case one is awarded a JSREP project and later got awarded an NPRP grant as Co-LPI or LPI, are you going to dismiss one of these projects?

To apply under JSREP, the online submission system checks the applicant's current status under the NPRP program. In case you are a LPI or Co-LPI (LPI inside Qatar) you will not be able to submit a JSREP proposal. Also, in case you get awarded a JSREP project, you will not be able to submit an NPRP proposal as a Co-LPI or LPI however, you can participate as a Co-PI. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:19:58

As per announcement, the PI must be 35 years of age or below and must have two peer reviewed papers in the field of proposed project. As a matter of fact, JSREP encourages multi-disciplinary research.

The proposal has to demonstrate the multi-disciplinary dimension, and the PI publications need to be relevant to the submitted proposal. The peer-reviewers will evaluate the proposal as well as the submitted papers. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:18:39

Should the Junior Scientist be the first author or can he/she be the second author in the published papers required at the time of submission?

It is of benefit to the Junior Scientist to be the first author; however the program allows the Junior Scientist to be the second or third author too. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:17:11

Why can't a PI have a number of active projects at the same time like in NPRP?

We cannot compare JSREP to NPRP. In JSREP, we encourage the Junior Scientist to focus on one active project at a time, so as to get prepared to lead an NPRP project as LPI or Co-LPI in the future. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:15:11

Why is there no mentorship for the Junior Scientist in this program? Mentorship under a senior researcher will be good for both the institution and the applicant as it will improve his/her skills and put the Junior Scientist on the right track.

We expect the Junior Scientist to develop his/her independent research under this program. However, he/she can always discuss certain difficulties with the experts. The Junior Scientists can be mentored in a bigger program such as the NPRP. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:12:52

Who will be in charge of managing the project resources (budget, personnel), would it the JSREP applicant or his full time faculty supervisor? What happens if there is conflict over time, or names on publications, etc.?

The PI is in charge of managing the entire JSREP project independently. The time availability for a JSREP PI should be checked with the PI's supervisor and the RO. Regarding publications, this is an internal matter, future publications emanating of the project are expected to be with the PI as the first author. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:11:50

Is it possible for a PhD holder from Qatar University to apply for the JSREP grant and involve a team member from TAMUQ who is in already engaged in an NPRP project? Can the PhD holder add the team member to his budget of personnel?

JSREP allows having a research team from the same institution. Collaboration with other institutions is not allowed. However, the program allows an institution to request services that cannot be obtained locally from another institution in Qatar. The cost of this service can be budgeted under Miscellaneous. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:10:58

I am writing to let you know that I am going to start my postdoctoral fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar but I am still abroad. I would like to participate in your JSREP program. I registered already but the JSREP channel isn't active

Application to JSREP requires that the "applicant" is working in Qatar and having a valid resident permit at the time of registration. If you are not in Qatar, the JSREP Channel will not be active. LoIs are submitted on-line and not accepted by e-mail. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:07:29

On the online application you require the expiration date of the Qatari ID. This may be difficult for Junior Scientists with annually renewable contracts.

The eligibility condition requires that you hold a valid Qatari ID at the time of submission. In case your resident permit expires after submission, you can renew it later. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:04:29

Can a Junior Scientist have a co-worker who is a senior person? Can this senior person be a crucial member in the team and receive money?

The Junior Scientist may consult senior scientists without budget involvement. The program targets Junior Scientists who are encouraged to lead their own project independently. Modify date: 11/17/2012 19:02:36

Can a team member in a JSREP project be a PI in another JSREP Project?

No, this is not possible; you can either be a team member or a PI in JSREP. When a Junior Scientist gets a JSREP grant, he/she should focus on his/her own research to learn how to lead a research project. You may consider JSREP as a career development program. Modify date: 05/09/2012 07:20:48

Do you provide equipment for animal research?

You may purchase the required equipment for the project from the JSREP fund. In case some equipment is not available, you may use core facilities in other institutions for example, Qatar University, and the cost can be budgeted to the project. You can find all relevant information on equipment in the RFP. Modify date: 05/08/2012 13:03:24

Can you share with us the budget allocated to this program?

No; however the budget is sufficient for this program. Modify date: 05/08/2012 13:02:52

You mentioned that during the Junior Scientist must have few papers, are you counting the dissertation as a publication?

No, the dissertation is part of the graduation requirement of a PhD program; it is not considered as a publication. Modify date: 05/08/2012 12:51:18

Do you allow submission of accepted but yet unpublished papers?

No, this is clearly stated in the program eligibility criteria; the applicants should have at least two peer-reviewed published papers. Modify date: 05/08/2012 12:47:13

Can a PI in JSREP program hire research assistants from abroad who will join him/her in Qatar to conduct research (as in NPRP)?

There are many local graduates in Qatar who could be good candidates as research assistants or technicians. All team members should be in Qatar, hired by the PI's institution. Modify date: 05/08/2012 12:46:50

Is a postdoc currently funded by QNRF project eligible to apply for JSREP?

Postdoctoral fellow who is currently funded by QNRF through a role other than LPI or Co-LPI in the NPRP is eligible to apply to JSREP. Modify date: 05/08/2012 12:46:13