ÇAĞ UNIVERSITY
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROJECTS (BAP) DIRECTIVE

CHAPTER ONE

Purpose, Scope, Basis, and Definitions

Purpose
ARTICLE 1 - The purpose of this Directive is to regulate the duties, authorities, and responsibilities regarding the selection, monitoring, and completion of Scientific Research Projects conducted by Çağ University researchers and submitted to the Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Coordination for support.

Scope
ARTICLE 2 - This Directive covers the principles and procedures concerning the evaluation, acceptance, support, service execution, monitoring, assessment of results, and public announcement of scientific research project proposals carried out and to be carried out with support from the scientific research fund under the BAP Coordination.

Basis
ARTICLE 3 - This Directive has been revised in accordance with the provisions of the "Regulation on Scientific Research Projects of Higher Education Institutions," published in the Official Gazette on 26.11.2016, and the relevant articles of the Higher Education Law No. 2547.

Definitions
ARTICLE 4 - The definitions used in this Directive are as follows. Other definitions are included in the related Regulation and Principles and Procedures.

• Researcher: Individuals listed in the project team by the project manager for the execution of the scientific research project.

• Scientific Research Projects Coordination: The unit responsible for carrying out the secretarial services of the Scientific Research Projects Commission, transferring budget funds to special accounts, managing transactions related to the special account, and conducting, monitoring, and coordinating the processes of projects supported by national and international organizations where the higher education institution researchers participate, as well as executing other duties related to scientific research projects assigned by the top administrator in coordination with related units.

• BAP Coordinator: The person appointed by the Rector responsible for the execution of the activities of the BAP Coordination on behalf of the higher education institution.

• BAP Commission: The commission appointed by the Rectorate of Çağ University BAP Coordination that determines the principles for supporting research projects and is responsible for the evaluation, acceptance, service provision, monitoring, and public announcement of project proposals supported by the Coordination. Referred to as the "Commission."

• Commission Chair: The person appointed by the Rector from among the academic staff who chairs the Commission on behalf of the higher education institution and is responsible for conducting the Commission's activities and reporting to the Rector.

• Scientific Research Projects: Projects that, upon completion, are expected to contribute to science in their field and to the technological, economic, social, and cultural development of the country; these include projects conducted internally or externally by the higher education institution, with possible participation from national or international institutions or organizations, as well as projects aimed at training scientists and developing research infrastructure.

• Advisor: Scientists specialized in relevant fields from within or outside the University whose opinions are consulted during the evaluation of project proposals by the Commission.

• Project Manager: Academic staff or researchers affiliated with the institution who propose, prepare, and are responsible for conducting the project, including faculty members, and those who have completed doctoral, medical, dental, pharmacy specialization, or proficiency in arts training.

• University/Rectorate: Çağ University / Rectorate of Çağ University.

SECOND SECTION
Evaluation, Support, and Monitoring of Scientific Research Projects

BAP Commission
ARTICLE 5 - To carry out the duties specified in this Directive, a commission is established consisting of at least seven and at most eleven faculty members appointed by the Rector upon the Senate's recommendation, chaired by a chairperson appointed by the Rector. Commission members are appointed for four years, ensuring representation across existing scientific disciplines at the institution. The chairperson and members whose terms have ended can be reappointed by the same procedure. The Commission meets upon the chairperson's call. Decisions are made by open voting and majority rule.

Duties of the BAP Commission
ARTICLE 6 -

• To announce the project application calendar annually.

• To determine and announce project support principles and priorities.

• To evaluate and finalize projects submitted within the deadline in accordance with Article 7 of the Regulation on Scientific Research Projects of Higher Education Institutions and the criteria defined in this Directive.

• To evaluate interim and final reports of research projects and determine sanctions for delays.

• To contribute to the formation of the university's scientific policy.

• To work on increasing research quality and the number of researchers.

• To determine sanctions in case of violations of contracts, directives, and copyright provisions.

• To decide on the continuation or termination of projects that are not conducted according to the proposal, or found unsuccessful. The Commission may inspect project works on-site, and modify project content, management, researchers, budget, and duration or cancel the project if necessary.

Principles Considered in the Selection of Scientific Research Projects
ARTICLE 7 -

Research projects are evaluated and selected with priority given to those relevant to scientific fields present at the University and in accordance with the scientific policies of the University Senate or national scientific policies. Projects are expected to contribute universally and nationally to science, and to the technological, economic, social, and cultural development of the country. Priority may be given to projects with fundamental science content, application-oriented outcomes, multi-participant, multi-centered, inter-institutional, international, and interdisciplinary nature in selection and support.

Application Calendar
ARTICLE 8 - The project application calendar for scientific research projects is determined and announced annually by the BAP Commission.

Application and Evaluation
ARTICLE 9 -

• Project proposals prepared by a project manager are submitted to the BAP Coordination through the Department/Institute/Division Chair using the Çağ University BAP Project Application Form and attachments.

• The decision to support proposed scientific research projects is made by the BAP Commission. Applications for projects including participation in scientific meetings abroad must be submitted with at least one month between the start date of the meeting and the application deadline announced by the BAP Commission.

• Supported projects are formalized by a "Supported Project Contract" signed by the Commission Chair and Project Manager.

• Project proposals that cannot be supported due to insufficient budget may be resubmitted in subsequent years by the project managers.

Execution and Monitoring of Scientific Research Projects
ARTICLE 10 -

• The manager of the accepted scientific research project submits interim reports every six months regarding the completed work. In case of unavoidable or unforeseeable reasons, the Commission may extend this period upon the project manager's request. Interim reports are examined by the Commission. Funding continuation for projects exceeding one year depends on the Commission's positive evaluation of subsequent terms. Projects that fail to submit or have interim reports negatively evaluated are canceled.

• Projects that become impossible to continue due to the project manager's long-term assignment outside the university, departure from the university, or justified absence such as illness, may be canceled or assigned a new manager by the Commission upon justified request.

• Travel expenses within the scope of domestic or international trips specified in the project are made according to provisions in the third section of this Directive and require approval by the relevant Faculty or Institute Board of Directors.

Project Cancellation
ARTICLE 11 -

• Projects that stagnate due to fault of the manager or co-researchers are canceled by the Commission decision. The cancellation decision is notified in writing to the project manager by the BAP Coordinator.

• Payments and purchased materials for canceled projects may be partially or fully reclaimed from the project manager and co-researchers.

• Managers whose projects are canceled due to non-fulfillment of obligations are barred from being assigned to supported projects for 12 months from the cancellation date.

• Projects must submit final reports and attachments to the BAP Coordination within six months following the contract end date. Final reports may be accepted as-is, returned for revision, or rejected. Rejected reports are returned to researchers and re-evaluated after revision. If rejected again, 50% of the support amount must be reimbursed by the researcher within 12 months. Project results published or accepted for publication in SCI or SCI-Expanded indexed or other peer-reviewed journals by the submission date are accepted as final reports.

THIRD SECTION
Use of Funds and Financial Matters

Use of Funds
ARTICLE 12 - BAP funds are used, limited to the project duration, to cover expenses for contracted personnel, travel allowances, service procurements, consumables and materials, durable goods, machinery and equipment, and other necessary expenses related to scientific research projects.

ARTICLE 13 - The BAP Commission may prioritize seeking external funding for high-budget and scientifically valuable projects.

ARTICLE 14 - Except for patent applications, all BAP funds become active only after obtaining Ethics Committee approval.

ARTICLE 15 - Except for theses and patent studies, an individual cannot serve as a manager in more than two projects per year.

ARTICLE 16 - Scientific research projects accepted within the application calendar are deemed to have started upon approval by the Commission, Rector, and Board of Trustees Chair and come into effect from that date.

Inventory Records
ARTICLE 17 - Durable goods purchased within the project are registered by the Financial Affairs Department with a movable property transaction document and stored in the University warehouse. Subsequently, they are assigned to the related Department/Division Chair at the Faculty/Institute where the project manager is affiliated.