UTAR Strategic Funding Scheme (UTAR SF)
The UTAR Strategic Funding Scheme (UTARSF) comprises three categories of scheme:

Interdisciplinary Research
(UTARSF-IDR)

UTARSF-IDR is introduced to promote excellence in research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, especially in interdisciplinary research areas that have been identified by
the University.




Industrial Partnership (UTARSF-IP)

UTARSF–Strategic Partnership (UTARSF-IP) is established to support researchers in developing joint or contract research projects with industry partners, including SMEs/SMIs, NGOs,
and other relevant organisations.




Matching
Grant
(UTARSF-MG)

UTARSF-MG is an initiative by the University to enhance research collaboration with at least two other Universities or Government Agency. The collaboration undertaken will further increase the capability and visibility of UTAR’s researcher,
thus increase UTAR reputation in the academic field.


UTAR STRATEGIC FUNDING SCHEME –
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH (UTARSF-IDR)

UTARSF-IDR is to promote peer cooperation across various departments/faculties within UTAR and is inter-disciplinary in nature &
involves extensive scope, longer duration and requires high commitment

Objectives

1. To provide funding for a long-term research programme on interdisciplinary research areas

2. To enhance excellence in the generation of theories, ideas and innovative creation in interdisciplinary research areas for the development of new knowledge.

Research Areas

Research programmes must be in line with UTAR’s research areas and not in conflict with the University’s interest. Researchers applying for this scheme may also propose other niche research areas.

Fund Allocation

1. Maximum allocation of RM 450,000.00 per research programme for the whole duration (maximum 3 years)

2. Maximum funding of RM 150,000.00 per research programme per year.

Funding Categories & Conditions / Terms of Application

    Funding Categories
Salary and Wages (V11000) Applicable only for Student Assistantship (SA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
Travel and Transportation (V21000) Applicable only for transportation and lodging expenses for local trips related to the research programme/project. Grant will not support any expenses for attendance or participation in conferences, seminars and workshops.
Communication and Utilities (V23000) Refers to Phone, fax, postage and shipment charges.
Rentals (V24000) Applicable to items that are directly related to the research programme such as rental of equipment, transportation and etc.
Research Materials and Supplies (V26000) This includes consumable items, minor electronic, electrical and mechanical components, chemical, stationery, glassware, disposable materials related to the research programme/project and etc.   
Minor Modifications and Repairs (V28000) Applicable to minor modifications, maintenance and repairs done on equipment purchased during duration of the programme. Funding will not support maintenance and repairs on faculties’ equipment.
Special Services (V29000) Specifically for services rendered by external parties such as sample testing, data processing, data analysis and etc.   
Equipment and Accessories (V35000) Applicable to equipment and software related to the Research programme/project.
       
Expenditures are not eligible for funding under the UTARSF-IDR: a) Non project-specific equipment;
b) Conference registration and associated expenses;
c) Routine typing of manuscripts; and
d) Purchase of periodicals, journals and published papers.
e) Proofread services.
No. Conditions / Terms of Application
1. Applicants shall normally be full-time academic staff of UTAR in order to be eligible to apply for funding under the UTARSF-IDR.
2. Applicants must be committed to complete the research programme within their tenure at UTAR.
3. A research programme must involve a minimum of three (3) projects from different department/faculties within UTAR. The projects must be inter-related and provide answers to the problem statement/research question to be addressed by the research programme.
4. Application must be multi-disciplinary (at least three (3) research areas), involving the corpus of science, engineering & technology and social sciences, arts & humanities.
5. The Programme Leader must be the most experienced academic staff among the researchers in the proposed research programme.
6. An academic staff who is on study leave is not allowed to be the Programme Leader/Principal Investigator of Project. However, he/she can be a co-researcher.
7. A Programme Leader/Principal Investigator of the programme/project who moves to another university must relinquish his/her position as the Programme Leader/Principal Investigator. However, he/she can still remain as an external co-researcher.
8. The applicant must provide justifications for all budgeted items requested for the research programme.
9. The Programme Leader must also certify that:
  1. All the details in the programme are true and complete
  2. Principal Investigators of the projects under the programme meets the objectives, eligibility and approval criteria, and all related guidelines and policies
  3. Principal Investigators of the projects under the programme are able to commit the time specified in the proposed research project to ensure the projected outcomes are realized;
  4. Principal Investigators of the projects under the programme have sought all relevant clearances for the proposed research;
  5. Principal Investigators of the projects under the programme will conduct the research in accordance with the Occupational, Health and Safety Regulations and all other ethical and safety considerations; and
  6. Principal Investigators of the projects under the programme will surrender all research data and findings to the University after completion of the research
  7. The Principal Investigator of a project under the programme shall conduct the project in accordance with the UTAR Research and Development Fund (UTAR RDF) Policy.
  8. The Principal Investigator does not hold an active UTARRF

UTAR STRATEGIC FUNDING SCHEME –
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP (UTARSF-IP)

Researchers are expected to secure funding commitments or interest from industry partners when applying to participate in the UTARSF-IP programme.
Researchers may also apply for UTARSF-IP funding to support the development of proof of concept, which can then be presented to industry partners to secure full funding for the proposed idea or innovation project.

Objectives

1. To provide seed funding to initiate joint or contract research project with industry partner(s)

2. To explore ideas and innovations generated in the university through collaboration with industry partner(s)

Research Areas

Research project must be in line with UTAR’s research areas and/or the external organization’s area of interest. 

Fund Allocation

1. Maximum fund of RM 50,000.00 per project for the whole duratioN

2. Total fund of RM 300,000.00 for UTARSF-IP scheme per year.

Funding Categories & Conditions / Terms of Application

    Funding Categories
Salary and Wages (V11000) Applicable only for Student Assistantship (SA) or Graduate Student Assistant (GRA)*.

For projects that are co-funded by industry and required graduate student assistant, the industry contribution must be at least 50% of the total project funding.
Travel and Transportation (V21000) Applicable only for transportation and lodging expenses for local trips related to the research project for UTAR Staff/Student only. Grant will not support any expenses for attendance or participation in conferences, seminars and workshops.
Rentals (V24000) Applicable to items that are directly related to the research project such as rental of equipment, transportation and etc.
Research Materials and Supplies (V26000) This includes consumable items, minor electronic, electrical and mechanical components, chemical, stationary, glassware, disposable materials related to the research programme/project and etc.
Special Services (V29000) Specifically, for services rendered by external parties such as sample testing, data processing, data analysis and etc.
       
Expenditures are not eligible for funds under the UTARSF-IP a) Conference registration and associated expenses;
b) Routine typing of manuscripts; and
c) Purchase of periodicals, journals and published papers.
d) Equipment
No. Conditions / Terms of Application
1. Applicants shall normally be full-time academic staff of UTAR in order to be eligible to apply for funding under the UTARSF-IP.
2. Applicants must be committed to complete the research programme within their tenure at UTAR.
3. The maximum duration for the research project is twelve (12) months for a full project and six (6) months for a proof-of-concept project.
4. An academic staff who is on study leave is not allowed to be the Programme Leader/Principal Investigator of Project. However, he/she can be a co-researcher.
5. A Principal Investigator of the project who moves to another university must relinquish his/her position as the Principal Investigator. However, he/she can still remain as an external co-researcher
6. The applicant must provide justifications for all budgeted items requested for the research project
7. The Programme Leader must also certify that:
  1. All the details in the programme are true and complete
  2. He is able to meet the objectives, eligibility and approval criteria, and all related guidelines and policies;
  3. He is able to commit the time specified in the proposed research project to ensure the projected outcomes are realized;
  4. Have sought all relevant clearances for the proposed research;
  5. Will conduct the research in accordance with the Occupational, Health and Safety Regulations and all other ethical and safety considerations; and
  6. Will surrender all research data and findings to the University after completion of the research
  7. The Principal Investigator shall conduct the project in accordance with the UTAR Research and Development Fund (UTAR RDF) Policy.

UTAR STRATEGIC FUNDING SCHEME –
MATCHING GRANT (UTARSF-MG)

Researchers are expected to secure funding commitments or interest from industry partners when applying to participate in the UTARSF-IP programme.
Researchers may also apply for UTARSF-IP funding to support the development of proof of concept, which can then be presented to industry partners to secure full funding for the proposed idea or innovation project.

Objectives

1. To increase collaboration with other Universities and Government Agency

2. To optimize the sharing of resources and facilities between the academia

3. To increase the transfer of knowledge between the academia

Research Areas

All Research Projects must be in line with UTAR’s priority research areas and not in conflict with the University’s interest and other Universities’/Government Agencies’ area of interest.

Fund Allocation

1. Minimum fund of RM5,000.00 for Non-S&T project and RM20,000.00 for S&T project.

Funding Categories & Conditions / Terms of Application

    Funding Categories
Salary and Wages (V11000) Applicable only for Student Assistantship (SA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
Travel and Transportation (V21000) Applicable only for transportation and lodging expenses for local trips related to the research programme/project. Grant will not support any expenses for attendance or participation in conferences, seminars and workshops.
Rentals (V24000) Applicable to items that are directly related to the research programme such as rental of equipment, transportation and etc.
Research Materials and Supplies (V26000) This includes consumable items, minor electronic, electrical and mechanical components, chemical, stationery, glassware, disposable materials related to the research programme/project and etc.   
Minor Modifications and Repairs (V28000) Applicable to minor modifications, maintenance and repairs done on equipment purchased during duration of the programme for the research project. Funding will not support maintenance and repairs on faculties’ equipment.
Special Services (V29000) Specifically for services rendered by external parties such as sample testing, data processing, data analysis and etc.   
Equipment and Accessories (V35000) Project-specific equipment and software. Normally only small equipment shall be considered.
       
Expenditures are not eligible for funding under the UTARSF-MG: a) Travel incurred for trip to the collaborative Universities/Agency.
b) Any charges arising from the use of equipment, facilities, resources etc of the collaborative Universities/Agency to conduct the research.
c) Conference registration and associated expenses;
d) Routine typing of manuscripts; and.
e) Purchase of periodicals, journals and published papers.
No. Conditions / Terms of Application
1. The application for UTARSF-MG is open throughout the year, subject to the availability of funding allocation during the application
2. The maximum duration of the research project is one (1) year
3. This grant is open to UTAR academic staff with the following conditions:
  1. Applicants shall normally be full-time academic staff of UTAR in order to be eligible to apply for funding under the UTARSF-MG.
  2. An academic staff who is on study leave is not allowed to be the Principal Investigator. However, he/she can be a co-researcher.
  3. A Principal Investigator who moves to another university must relinquish his/her position as the Principal Investigator. However, he/she can still remain as a co- researcher.
  4. The applicant must provide justifications for all budgeted items requested for the research project.
  5. The Principal Investigator must also certify that
    • All the details in the project are true and complete;
    • He meets the objectives, eligibility and approval criteria, and all related guidelines and policies;
    • He is able to commit the time specified in the proposed research project to ensure the projected outcomes are realized;
    • He has sought all relevant clearances for the proposed research; 
    • He will conduct the research in accordance with the Occupational, Health and Safety Regulations and all other ethical and safety considerations; and 
    • He will surrender all research data and findings to the University after completion of the research. 
    • He shall conduct the project in accordance with the UTAR Research and Development Fund (UTAR RDF) Policy.