1. Where can I get help preparing my application?
It is helpful to be proactive, talk to MRC team and talk to successful applicants in HMC. In addition, many guidelines/policies are available in this MRC website, so please refer to these.
2. Am I eligible to apply for a grant?
Anyone can apply for the research grant subject to the criteria being met, please refer to the policy of eligibility criteria.
3. How often does the MRC run the grant application program?
The cyclic research program is run, generally, twice a year. Routine continuous grants are open for the whole year.
4. What is the duration of a grant?
A grant is awarded for a 12 month period. If your project lasts longer than 12 months you can apply for a renewal at any time.
5. Do I need IRB approval before I apply for a grant or later, when I receive a grant?
Studies can be submitted to MRC prior to receiving IRB approval. In the MRC Process flow, IRB review and approval is the last step. For studies involving collaborating institutes where human subject research related activities requiring IRB overview is conducted, HMC-IRB may request the PI to submit a copy of the IRB approval from the collaborative site. If the site IRB approval is not available the PI may inform HMC-IRB the same and provide approval once received.
6. How much is the maximum budget I can claim through MRC for research project?
MRC Routine Continuous Grants provide QR100, 000 to each study. For funding larger than this amount kindly submit through the Internal Research Grant Cycle or QNRF.
7. How do I make a payment request?
Payments can be made in different methods. Some payments are by reimbursement and some are through the Purchasing Department as mentioned on the Budget Approval Letter. In the case of reimbursements, requests need to be raised by the PI with all supporting documents. For materials, PI need to coordinate through MRC to get the item purchased via materials department as per HMC policy.
8. What is the procedure for applying for conference approval?
Once the PI has received acceptance for a conference, the PI may submit a conference request to MRC. Each conference request received in MRC will be reviewed and handled on a case by case manner. Conference request procedures are governed by HMC Travel Policy.
9. If the publication cost is more than the approved amount, how can I request for the additional budget?PI may submit the request for additional budget allowance citing journal impact factor, acceptance letter, invoice from journal and study abstract. Please note that such requests will be handled on a case by case manner. If justification is satisfactory, MRC will issue Budget Approval Letter with additional amount.
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