Innovation Assets
1.1 Number of Entities (Colleges and Centers) Involved in Scientific Research
This section captures the breadth of King Faisal University’s (KFU) institutional participation in scientific research, encompassing colleges, research labs, centers, and scholarly chairs. The most prominent contributors are the College Research Labs, totaling 331, which dominate the research infrastructure and signify the university’s substantial emphasis on applied and experimental work. These labs are critical incubators for innovation and discovery, where faculty and students collaboratively develop solutions with practical value. Their output often forms the basis for patents and high-impact publications, making them central to the university’s broader strategy of integrating research into everyday academic life.
Beyond labs, additional entities strengthen KFU’s research ecosystem. Colleges contribute 15 research-focused units, Research Centers add another 13, and Scholarly Chairs bring in six more, combining for a total of 365 active research bodies. Though smaller in number, centers and chairs represent strategic thought leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and alignment with national priorities. Research centers often house specialized projects that require cross-functional expertise, while chairs are usually held by esteemed scholars driving pioneering studies. Together, these entities create a dynamic and diverse research environment, reinforcing KFU’s mission to establish itself as an accredited Innovation District and a hub for scientific and technological advancement.
1.2 Number of Research and Development Projects
This section evaluates the volume of research projects conducted at KFU across applied and academic fields including engineering, health sciences, environmental studies, and more. From 2018 to 2024, the university experienced a 350% surge in research publications, growing from 427 to 2,900. More significantly, the quality of these publications improved, with 54% appearing in Q1 journals in 2024. This shift signals a deliberate move toward producing work with global impact and academic prestige. KFU’s incentive system—comprising research excellence bonuses and post-publication grants—has played a key role in encouraging faculty productivity and elevating the overall standard of research output.
Citations provide further evidence of this growing academic influence. Between 2018 and 2024, citations increased by over 500%, reaching 44,428, with an average of 15.7 citations per paper in 2024—more than double the global average. These figures illustrate the university’s escalating relevance in the international research community and the effectiveness of its Innovation District strategy. Faculty engagement, combined with institutional support, has created fertile ground for producing impactful research. As this ecosystem continues to mature, it strengthens KFU’s reputation as a center of excellence and underscores its potential to lead regional innovation efforts while contributing meaningfully to the global academic landscape.
To support this vibrant research culture, KFU allocates significant financial resources to its faculty. In 2024, each researcher received approximately [available upon request] SAR in funding, with the total research grant budget surpassing [available upon request] SAR. These funds cover a wide array of research activities, including incentives for publishing in top-tier journals and developing post-publication projects. This investment in intellectual infrastructure reflects the university’s long-term commitment to research leadership. It also demonstrates how strategic funding and faculty empowerment contribute to the university’s broader ambition of attaining Innovation District status and transforming itself into a leading institution for science, discovery, and knowledge-based economic development.
1.3 Number of Registered and Granted Patents
This section reflects the extent of innovation at KFU through patent registrations, primarily in advanced technologies, agriculture, and environmental sciences. The university made a landmark achievement in 2024 by securing 631 patents from the US Patent Office. This milestone, representing an exceptional publication-to-patent ratio of 1:4.6, dwarfs the global average of 1:20. It highlights KFU’s ability to translate scientific research into legally protected inventions with commercial potential. This performance underscores the Innovation District’s maturity and the university’s strategy to prioritize intellectual property as a key output of academic and applied research initiatives across multiple disciplines.
Patent activity has been strong in recent years, with 520 applications in 2022 and 554 in 2023, even though 2025 witnessed a slight dip in new submissions. Nevertheless, the 2024 peak signifies institutional focus and a thriving innovation pipeline. The average number of patents per faculty member reached 0.4, placing KFU significantly above international benchmarks. These outcomes indicate a shift from traditional academic output toward commercialization-ready research. By fostering a research environment that emphasizes innovation and patentability, KFU continues to strengthen its Innovation District credentials while fostering a culture where inventiveness and practical application of knowledge are both prioritized and rewarded.
Financial investment has played a pivotal role in sustaining this momentum. In 2023, patent-related expenditures hit [available upon request] SAR and totaled [available upon request] SAR in 2024, with an average patent costing around [available upon request] SAR. This substantial funding illustrates KFU’s serious commitment to converting research into economic assets and underscores the institutional priority placed on protecting and commercializing intellectual property. Beyond financial resources, the university is actively exploring opportunities to commercialize its patents, form industrial partnerships, and align with national development goals. These initiatives position KFU as a key player in the innovation economy and support its long-term vision for regional and international influence.
In furthering public engagement and innovation visibility, KFU launched the Patents Museum during Ramadan 1446 AH, with the Mayor of Al-Ahsa officiating the opening. This facility showcases patented inventions, prototypes, and interactive displays highlighting the university’s contributions across diverse sectors. It serves both as a celebration of innovation and as a public interface for communicating scientific achievements to broader audiences. Since its inauguration, the museum has attracted dignitaries, academic delegations, and industry leaders, becoming a symbol of the university’s research legacy. It stands as a testament to KFU’s impact on technological advancement and a beacon for aspiring inventors and researchers within the institution.
1.4 Number of Technology Transfer and Licensing Agreements
This section captures the university’s success in forming agreements that transfer technologies and innovations to external stakeholders. In 2025, King Faisal University recorded nine such agreements, building on the eight agreements signed in 2024. These figures represent significant progress in linking academic innovation with industry application. The rapid increase from just one agreement in 2023 and none in 2022 indicates a newly emerging capacity for research commercialization. It reflects both internal reforms and external demand, signaling KFU’s growing role as a credible partner for technological solutions in the broader economic and industrial landscape of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
This marked growth points to strategic investments made by the university in creating an ecosystem conducive to commercialization. Improved processes for intellectual property protection, greater emphasis on patenting outcomes, and stronger connections with private and governmental partners have all contributed to this success. These agreements demonstrate that the university's research is not only academically significant but also holds real-world applicability. By successfully bridging the gap between discovery and deployment, KFU is evolving from a traditional academic institution into a knowledge enterprise capable of supporting national innovation agendas and contributing to the development of a robust, knowledge-based economy.
1.5 Number of Companies in the District
This section tracks the Innovation District’s effectiveness in translating academic knowledge into new business ventures. A striking trend is the rapid increase in student-based startups, which rose from 2 in 2022 to 67 by 2025. This exponential growth indicates a thriving entrepreneurial culture among students and reflects the university’s success in cultivating innovation at the grassroots level. Support systems such as incubators, mentorship, seed funding, and innovation workshops have likely played a crucial role in this transformation. The result is a vibrant student-driven ecosystem that contributes not only to the academic mission but also to broader socioeconomic development.
Interestingly, faculty-based startups remain absent in the data, pointing to an area of untapped potential. This could suggest either a lack of faculty engagement in entrepreneurship or a gap in institutional mechanisms to support faculty commercialization efforts. Meanwhile, resident companies—external businesses operating within the Innovation District—have maintained a stable presence, with four companies housed annually from 2022 to 2025. This steady engagement from industry partners adds a layer of external validation and collaboration, further enriching the innovation landscape. Overall, the combination of student growth and industry presence indicates a balanced and expanding ecosystem capable of sustaining long-term innovation.
1.6 Incubator and Accelerator Program Occupancy Rate
This section assesses how effectively KFU’s incubator and accelerator programs are utilized within the Innovation District. Remarkably, the occupancy rate has remained at 100% for four consecutive years—2022 through 2025. This continuous full capacity reflects high demand from entrepreneurs, especially students, and confirms that the district’s programs are well-designed and aligned with the needs of their target audience. It also indicates a responsive support infrastructure that is both accessible and attractive to early-stage innovators. High occupancy underscores the credibility of KFU’s innovation initiatives and their perceived value within the academic and entrepreneurial communities.
The consistent full utilization suggests that existing facilities and services are operating at maximum efficiency. However, it also raises questions about future scalability. Sustained interest over multiple years may soon exceed current capacity, necessitating expansion of both physical infrastructure and human resources. To maintain its momentum and accommodate growing demand, the university may need to consider enlarging its incubator footprint or creating satellite hubs. As the Innovation District evolves, meeting this demand will be crucial for ensuring continued success and deepening its role as a catalyst for innovation and startup activity in the region.
1.7 Commercialized Research and Patents
This section tracks how many research outcomes and patents have progressed to technological or commercial application. In 2025, KFU converted 50 research projects into tested prototypes, reflecting its strong capacity for early-stage commercialization. These prototypes mark an important step in turning abstract ideas into tangible innovations. The achievement demonstrates that the university has built an internal system that supports this transformation, including engineering capabilities, lab testing, and prototype development resources. It also highlights the readiness of KFU’s research community to produce outcomes that have potential market relevance and societal benefit, even if they have not yet fully reached commercialization.
Key Performance Indicators for 2025 further reinforce this narrative. KFU achieved full targets in areas such as producing 3D videos for patents and developing prototypes. These initiatives help communicate research outcomes effectively to potential investors. However, outcomes tied directly to market integration—like exhibitions, feasibility studies, and spin-offs—fell short, with many metrics registering no progress. For instance, exhibitions met only 20% of targets, while feasibility studies and national initiatives recorded zero achievement. These disparities underscore that while the university excels in research and early innovation, it must now focus on scaling its commercialization efforts to realize the full potential of its Innovation District vision.
