Program for Supporting Priority Research

Application Requirements

1. • The applicant must hold an academic degree of at least Associate Professor in one of the social science disciplines, or hold a PhD with sufficient academic and practical experience that qualifies them to manage this type of research project.

2. • The applicant must be affiliated with a workplace within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

3. • The applicant must have an outstanding research record, including publications in internationally indexed journals. Published research and the journal classification (Q1, Q2, etc.) or indexing database (Scopus, WoS, ARCIF) must be listed.

4. • The research team should include diverse specializations if the priority topic requires a multidisciplinary approach, provided that the principal investigator specializes in the social field.

5. • The CVs of the principal investigator and the co-investigator must be attached, including a list of published scientific papers and research activities, not exceeding three pages.

6. • The research proposal must address one of the eleven (11) priority topics announced, either directly or indirectly. The title and dimensions of the study may be formulated in any manner the researcher deems appropriate, provided that a clear and direct link to the priority topic is maintained.

7. • The compensation for the research team (principal and co-investigator) must not exceed 50% of the total budget.

8. • Applications must be submitted through the official website of the National Center for Social Studies and Research. Submissions through other means or channels will not be accepted.

Application Criteria

1. • The research proposal must be submitted in PDF format in Arabic, in accordance with the template approved by the Center.

2. • The proposal topic must fall within the announced research priority areas for the current cycle, and must be clearly identified in the template (main axis, sub-axis, and topic).

3. • The proposal must demonstrate originality and novelty, and provide a clear scientific contribution in its field.

4. • The study’s outcomes must contribute to presenting actionable recommendations and measurable practical solutions.

5. • The principal investigator is not permitted to submit more than one research proposal in the current cycle.

6. • The proposal must not have any other source of funding, and it must not have been previously submitted or published to any entity.

7. • If funding is approved, all research outputs shall be considered the property of the Center, and may not be submitted to any other entity without prior written approval.

8. • The Center reserves the right to reject any proposal that does not meet the technical or scientific requirements or falls outside the defined priority areas, without the obligation to provide reasons.

9. • Proposals are subject to a competitive evaluation process among applicants. In the event the proposal is not selected, the researcher will only be notified of the decision.

10. • The total project budget must not exceed 200,000 SAR (two hundred thousand Saudi Riyals), and must include items dedicated to transforming recommendations into practical, applicable solutions, as well as conducting a feedback analysis of the study outputs.

11. • The project implementation period must not exceed six (6) months.

Key Grounds for Proposal Ineligibility

1. • The applicant will be disqualified if they submit proposals for more than one priority topic within the same cycle.

2. • The applicant will be disqualified if they apply to more than one program offered by the Center during the same cycle (e.g., the Priority Research Support Program or the Scientific Publication Support Program).

3. • The applicant will be disqualified if they do not adhere to the announced list of priority topics.

4. • Any proposal that does not meet the announced requirements will be disqualified.

5. • Failure to clearly demonstrate the study’s benefits and risk management will result in disqualification.

FAQs

Family and Childhood

1. Sub-Axis: Early Childhood Intervention and Neglect Prevention

Topic: Reducing Child Harassment in Digital Environments
Description:
The issue of child harassment in digital environments represents one of the contemporary social challenges. The widespread use of digital technologies—such as electronic games and modern social media platforms—has increased children’s exposure to various forms of exploitation or abuse. The seriousness of this issue lies in its profound impact on children’s psychological and social well-being, as well as its negative consequences for families and society.
Therefore, an in-depth study is needed to address several related aspects, including analyzing patterns of digital harassment, identifying the factors contributing to its spread, exploring prevention and protection strategies, and developing practical policies and interventions that may help reduce this problem and protect the groups most at risk.

2. Family Relations

Topic: The Roles of the Saudi Family in Light of Social Change
Description:
The Saudi family is undergoing notable transformations in its roles and functions due to the rapid social, economic, and cultural changes occurring within society. These changes have affected the nature of relationships among family members, their responsibilities, and patterns of socialization.
Factors such as women's increased participation in the workforce and the growing reliance on technology in daily life have contributed to reshaping family roles.
Studying this topic is important for understanding the extent to which the Saudi family can adapt to these changes while maintaining its cohesion and essential functions of care, support, and socialization. It also provides insight into the future roles of the family in building and sustaining a stable society.

3. Family Dissolution

Topic: Separation and Family Disintegration
Description:
Marital separation is one of the most significant challenges with deep effects on families and society. It results in psychological, educational, and social consequences that affect both spouses and their children. Separation often leads to family disintegration, increases the likelihood of behavioral problems among children, weakens social bonds, and reduces emotional and economic support within the family.
Multiple factors may contribute to the aggravation of this issue, including economic pressures, poor communication skills, and shifts in values and family roles.
This highlights the need for a comprehensive study to understand the dimensions and causes of separation as a major driver of family disintegration, assess its impact on families and society, and propose preventive and remedial policies and programs that can mitigate its negative effects and strengthen the family as a fundamental pillar of social stability.

Psychological and Social Well-being

Social Issues

1. Sub-Axis: Manifestations of Luxury Consumption

Topic: Excessive Spending and Displaying Affluence
Description:
Excessive spending and the display of affluence represent a growing social issue linked to several economic, social, and psychological factors, with negative consequences for the financial stability of individuals and families. This behavior is reflected in patterns of overconsumption and the pursuit of material displays as a means of showcasing social status or reinforcing a sense of acceptance.
Such behaviors pose multiple risks, including debt accumulation, weak saving habits, and a decline in prudent financial planning, in addition to their impact on social values related to moderation and responsibility.
This underscores the importance of studying this issue to understand its drivers, examine its social and economic implications, and propose awareness and regulatory solutions that promote a culture of financial balance and responsible consumption, thereby supporting the stability of individuals and society.

2. Material and Behavioral Addiction

Topic: Drug Use Among Adolescents
Description:
The circulation of modern types of drugs among youth—particularly those in the critical age range of 15 to 18 years—has become a serious social and public health problem. It poses a direct threat to psychological and cognitive development and has negative repercussions for family and societal stability.
The severity of this issue increases with the growing variety of drug products and the evolving methods of promoting them, especially through digital platforms and social media channels, which contribute to the expanding scope of drug use and the early enticement of adolescents.
Studying this phenomenon is essential for understanding the social and cultural factors contributing to it, identifying its forms and impacts, and developing practical solutions through preventive, educational, and legislative programs that can limit its spread and strengthen the resilience of young people against its risks.

Technology, Digital Transformation, and Society

1. Sub-Axis: Social Use of Technology

Topic: The Spread of Misinformation on Social Media Platforms
Description:
The widespread dissemination of misinformation on social media platforms poses a highly influential challenge in shaping public awareness. It contributes to the formation of inaccurate perceptions regarding public issues, undermines trust in credible sources, and strengthens the circulation of rumors within society.
The seriousness of this issue stems from the speed at which digital content spreads and the ease of sharing it, which amplifies its impact on community members.
Its research significance lies in analyzing the mechanisms that contribute to the creation and spread of such misinformation, examining its social implications, and proposing practical solutions to combat it and reduce its effects, thereby strengthening the digital resilience of society.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Society

Topic: The Use of Deepfake Technology
Description:
The malicious use of artificial intelligence technologies—such as deepfake—represents a significant social challenge. This technology is employed to produce fabricated content used for digital extortion, defamation, and the spread of cyberbullying through the misuse of manipulated images and videos.
The importance of studying this topic lies in the need to analyze its social and psychological dimensions, identify its mechanisms and impacts, and develop practical preventive, educational, and legislative solutions that can mitigate its consequences and preserve the safety of individuals and society.

Women

Sub-Axis

1. Reproductive Health
   Topic: Declining Fertility Rates
   Description: Official data indicate a decline in fertility rates in the Kingdom, a demographic trend with significant implications for population structure and family size. Continued decline may lead to noticeable changes in the age composition of the population, a decrease in population growth rates, and associated social and economic challenges, such as smaller family sizes and changes in family support patterns and intergenerational reliance. Studying this issue academically is important to anticipate its future impacts and propose population and family policies that promote demographic balance and social stability.

Youth and Empowerment

1. Sub-Axis: Economic and Social Empowerment

Topic: The Development Gap Between Cities and Provinces and Youth Empowerment in Rural Areas
Description:
The development gap between cities and provinces is reflected in the disparities in the level of services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, which limits the empowerment of youth in rural areas and weakens their contribution to national development.
This underscores the importance of studying this issue to identify the extent of the gap, understand its social and economic impacts, and propose practical solutions that support achieving balanced and inclusive development in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.