According to the , citing the Academy of Sciences, Ali Mohammad Soltani, the head of the National Science Foundation of Iran, in a speech at the 11th edition of the Abu Rehan Biruni Prize, explained the activities and programs of the foundation in the direction of strengthening basic sciences and emphasized the need to “invest in the scientific roots of the country”.
Soltani said: The National Science Foundation of Iran has made supporting basic sciences one of its main missions. Because basic science is the root of the tree of scientific and technological development, and if we do not strengthen the root, the leaves and fruits of knowledge will be damaged in the future.
According to the head of the foundation, based on the resolution, it is targeted that 50% of the foundation’s budget will be allocated to basic research.
Regarding the periodical statistics of the foundation’s performance, he said: In the current period, about 24% of the number of projects received by the foundation and about 30% of the foundation’s credits are allocated to basic sciences.
According to him, some statistics related to the year 1403 show that the share of basic science credits in that year was about 36%. In his words, the acceptance rate of basic science projects in the foundation was also mentioned as nearly 40%.
Soltani clarified that these shares are “increasing” and the foundation has a clear plan and schedule to reach the target share (50%).
He said about the support mechanisms of the foundation: the programs are implemented in two main pillars: first, the continuous acceptance of projects in a public and refereed manner, which requires that the projects have innovation and scientific quality, and second, targeted calls, the topics of which are determined based on the upstream documents and macro policies of the country.
Soltani added: About 80% of the foundation’s support is distributed in the form of targeted appeals, and the remaining share is spent on more general support.
supporting young researchers; Doctoral and postdoctoral thesis
He clarified: In 1403, 358 applications for doctoral theses were registered, which had an acceptance rate of nearly 55%. In the same period, 426 postdoctoral applications were also approved. The total amount approved for each doctoral dissertation is 288 million Tomans for a period of 24 months (equivalent to 12 million Tomans per month) as a doctoral dissertation grant. The total amount of 288 million Tomans for a period of 12 months (equivalent to 24 million Tomans per month) has also been determined for the postdoctoral researcher.
Acknowledging that these figures are “currently for student aid and are still not enough”, Soltani said: the foundation is trying to increase and improve the terms of payment and the speed of allocation.
Scheduling and facilitation of processes
The head of the foundation announced that the average time from sending the project to assignment is “about 90 days” and added: The foundation is trying to reduce this time with new mechanisms to make response and access faster.
Soltani said: The Foundation has implemented “Movement at the Frontiers of Knowledge” projects for professors who have theorizing and outstanding international articles and invites them to participate in order to define plans that move the frontiers of knowledge.
Stating that for some disciplines, such as quantum, financial support of up to 4 billion Tomans has been predicted for projects, he said: The resources of this support can cover the costs of international travel of students, equipment and consumables, and a part for the members of the research team.
Science promotion: “Science night” and university events
Soltani said: Among the other mentioned programs is the launch and development of the “Science Night” event, which started in the last two years and is held in universities with the aim of conveying basic scientific concepts to the general public. The first event of the new academic year has been held at Damghan University and programs have been planned at Shahrood University of Technology and other universities until the end of this year.
According to him, the acceptance of these programs by the public and universities has been “good and promising”.
According to the statement of the head of the foundation, the current year’s budget of the foundation is about 145 billion tomans.
He also referred to the assistance and facilities of the related vice-chairs and mentioned a figure of about 600 billion tomans related to the 1404 budget and the support of the vice-chairs.
Request to honor scientists and international cooperation
While referring to the mission of the foundation in “research, scientific development and providing solutions to solve the country’s problems”, Soltani emphasized the necessity of honoring scientists, developing international cooperation and creating motivation for problem-solving research and said: the foundation seeks to fill the research gaps and improve the scientific status of the country at the international level.
Special incentive for the winners of Abu Rihan Festival
The head of the foundation announced that according to the approval of the foundation council, special financial support equivalent to one and a half times (1.5 times) of the foundation’s standard support will be allocated to the winners of Aburihan festival. For clarity, he gave an example: if a normal project received support of 300 million tomans in the foundation, in the case of international cooperation, it can increase up to 120 million tomans, and in areas such as quantum, the ceiling of support will reach up to 4 billion tomans.
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