Research and Development (R&D) employees are professionals, including scientists, engineers, and technicians, who are actively involved in carrying out research and development activities. These individuals possess high levels of education, expertise, and experience in their respective fields and directly contribute to R&D projects within an institution or its subdivisions.

The classification of R&D employees as “scientists,” “engineers,” or “technicians” is based on the activities they perform, not their job titles. For instance, a scientist may take on tasks typically associated with a technician, and a technician may perform duties usually carried out by a scientist.

Key Responsibilities of R&D Employees:

• Planning and managing research and development projects
• Conducting scientific and technical work within R&D projects (e.g., preparing and conducting research, building prototypes)
• Preparing interim and final reports for R&D projects
• Providing research and development services for projects (e.g., laboratory work, testing)

Anyone engaged in one or more of these activities contributes to the R&D efforts of the institution or its subdivisions and should be counted as an R&D employee, regardless of their formal job title or duties.

The employment contract between the grant applicant and the R&D employee must be either for an indefinite period or valid for at least 12 months from the date of the contract’s conclusion.