High School Research Experience Program (HSREP)

HSREP grant will also indirectly support, promote, and foster STEM education in schools. HSREP is designed specially for high school students in line with QNRF’s mission of supporting original research across all levels. This program aims to build a solid research foundation in students before they pursue their undergraduate studies by introducing them to research design and methodologies in various disciplines. HSREP aims to play an important role in QNRF’s aim of building the local human capacity in Qatar and providing local organizations and institutions with a steady supply of skilled graduates.

Description

Part of QNRF’s vision is to foster a research culture and build research human capital in Qatar. As part of this commitment, QNRF, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), is launching HSREP, to train students in research methodology and prepare them as potential future candidates for other QNRF programs. Mentors will contribute to the students’ development and personal growth and may be able to recruit them as future undergraduate students at their institutions and their research programs. In addition, HSREP aims to link high school students with local universities and research institutions and help raise the quality of high school research projects at internationally renowned research competitions including the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) and the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX).

HSREP projects run for 12 months and culminate in a final report to be submitted to QNRF for evaluation by independent reviewers.

HSREP’s award of a total of USD 5,000 per project, divided as follows:

• USD 2,000 mentor’s honorarium
• USD 3,000 equipment, materials, consumables, miscellaneous and indirect costs.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility of Primary Research Mentors (PRMs), and School Coordinator (SC)

The PRM is responsible for preparing the research plan, submitting HSREP application, and recruiting the student(s).  The eligibility criteria are as below:

• Each project should have one Primary Research Mentors (PRM) and one School Coordinator (SC).
• The PRM must be affiliated with a submitting institution in Qatar and be resident in Qatar.
• An eligible PRM must hold a research-oriented doctorate or any of the approved terminal degrees.
• The Primary Research Mentors (PRM) and the School Coordinator may participate in up to two HSREP projects from the same cycle.
• School Coordinator must be affiliated to the students’ high school. He/she is responsible for nominating student for the awarded projects and co-mentoring them during project life cycle.
• Eligible Primary Research Mentor (PRM) applicants should be affiliated to an academic or research institution with an approved research office and must hold a terminal degree. 

Eligibility of High School Students

• All full time high school students of Qatar are eligible to participate in HSREP.
• Students must reside in Qatar throughout the project.
• Student must be in grades 9, 10, or 11 at the time of application.
• Students must have achieved an average grade of at least 80% (or equivalent) in their last annual assessment.
• Two students per project are allowed, at least one of whom must be a Qatari.
• A student is nominated once per cycle.

While the following criterion is not a required eligibility, it is highly encouraged that the students are able to present in Arabic and English languages.

Responsiveness to challenges

While the core premise of Education City is that undergraduates will receive a research-based education, QNRF's role is to ensure that adequate resources are available to cover students’ expenses in addition to faculty or researcher expenses not already covered by Qatar Foundation. In particular, faculty may require compensation for additional responsibilities and workloads.