Research grants for non-Thai experts shall be in the form of general research grants, each valued at 100,000 Baht. Such grants involve compilation, organization of knowledge, analysis, synthesis, critique, and comparison of political science issues or data, or institutional research, and must be written in English. The number of grants in each fiscal year shall be determined by the Committee.
Characteristics of research grants:
- The research must have a definite title and scope.
- The topic must be academically significant in political science, institutional research, or other academic work as approved by the Committee.
- The research output must be written in English, including an abstract, bibliography, and references, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
- Research grant recipients must prepare a research article for publication in an international academic journal indexed in SJR, ISI, or Scopus, with a ranking not lower than Quartile 3 (Q3), or submit an acceptance letter from the editor of such a journal, and must agree to present their research at seminars organized by the Faculty of Political Science.
- The final report and article must include the following acknowledgement in English:
“This study was supported by the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University” and must state the researcher’s affiliation as “is affiliated with the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University.” - The research must be original, unpublished, and not simultaneously supported by another funding source.
- Research proposals and outputs must be subject to peer review.
- Research proposals and outputs receiving ratings of Very Good (A), Good (B), or Standard (C) with recommendations must be revised accordingly. If the researcher considers certain recommendations impracticable, a written explanation must be submitted to the Committee.
- Research proposals and outputs must be approved by the Committee, or by the Dean, or by an authorized delegate only.
Eligibility of applicants:
- Must be employed as a non-Thai expert of the Faculty of Political Science with a contract of not fewer than two years.
- Must not be on study leave or academic leave.
- Must be able to dedicate sufficient time to complete the research within the specified timeframe.
- Must not have any unfinished projects previously funded by the Faculty Research Fund, unless research outputs have already been submitted and are in the peer review process.
Research proposals must include the following:
- Research title (in English).
- Names of principal investigator and research team, with positions, contact information, and research experience.
- Keywords of the research.
- Significance and background of the research problem.
- Objectives of the research project, listed clearly and consistently.
- Review of related research and literature.
- Research methodology.
- Scope of the research.
- Research implementation plan and timeframe.
- Expected benefits.
- Identification of courses in which research outputs can be used.
- Research duration (from commencement to completion).
- Budget details, which must be appropriate and realistic.
Criteria for consideration of grants:
- Applicants must not have had a research contract revoked and funds rescinded within the past two years.
- Applicants must demonstrate credibility in completing the research successfully and with high quality.
Consideration of grants and contracts:
- The Dean or a delegated authority shall make the final decision on approval of research grants. Research proposals must be reviewed by experts in relevant fields and endorsed by the Committee, unless otherwise decided.
- For approved projects, the researcher must sign a grant contract with the Dean, with no fewer than two witnesses.
- The research period shall commence from the date of signing the grant contract.
Approval of research budgets: Research funds shall be disbursed in three installments:
- First installment: 40% of total budget, upon signing the contract.
- Second installment: 40% of total budget, upon submission of two hard copies and one digital copy of the complete research report, revised per expert review and approved by the Committee or Dean.
- Final installment: 20% of total budget, upon submission of a research article and evidence of acceptance or publication in an international journal indexed in Scopus with a ranking not lower than Quartile 3 (Q3). Research grant recipients must retain all receipts and financial records for auditing.
Progress reports:
At mid-term of the contract, the Committee may monitor progress as appropriate. Researchers must submit a progress report using the prescribed form via the Research and Academic Services Office.
Submission of draft and final reports:
- Draft report: one copy submitted via the Research and Academic Services Office for peer review, in accordance with the contract schedule.
- Final report:
- Two revised hard copies and one digital copy.
- Additionally, one article with evidence of publication or acceptance in an international journal indexed in Scopus with a ranking not lower than Quartile 3 (Q3).
Extension of research duration:
Requests must be submitted at least one month before the contract ends, with a progress report and extension request form, for Dean’s approval via the Committee. Extensions may be granted no more than twice, up to three months each, and not beyond the next fiscal year.
Project cancellation and return of funds:
If unable to complete the research, the researcher must submit a cancellation form through the Committee for Dean’s approval, and reimburse the funds to the Faculty’s department of finance.
Intellectual property:
- Copyright of research belongs to the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University. Permission is required for self-publication.
- All funded publications must state: “This study was supported by the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University.”
- Researchers must consent if the Committee deems it appropriate to publish or disseminate the research in any form.
