Objective
The High School Research Experience Program (HSREP) aims to foster a research culture and develop research capacity in Qatar by promoting “Learning by Doing” and “Hands-On” research activities as effective methods for high school education. Students will gain experience in research with academic mentors throughout their one-year involvement in the HSREP grant. 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 9 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
Eligibile 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. Applicants are allowed to submit only one application per cycle and each project should have only one mentor.
Eligibilty 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 90% (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.
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.