On November 26, 1981 at No. 187 Session of the Senate of Democritus University of Thrace, the Research Committee was established under Presidential Decree 432/1981 "On the establishment of Special Accounts for the implementation of research projects in the Universities of the country." The action marked the establishment of the Special Account for Research Funds at Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH).

The purpose of the Special Account for Research Funds (SARF), is the allocation and management of funds from any source, intended to cover any kind of spending, which is necessary for the needs of research, education, training, development and continuing training projects and projects for scientific, technological and artistic services, specialized studies, running tests, measurements, laboratory tests and analyses, consultancy services, drafting specifications for third parties, as well as for other related services or activities that contribute to linking education and research with production and performed or provided by the scientific staff of the University and with the cooperation of other specialists. (JD/ 679 / 22.8.1996 joint ministerial decision, Article 1, Paragraph 2).

The Research Committee (Plenary) of DUTH is composed of representatives (and their deputies) of all University Departments and by one of the Deputy Rectors, which is appointed by the Rector's Council as Head of the Committee. Its members are elected by the General Meetings of the Departments and are faculty members, either Professors or Associate Professors, with extensive teaching and research expertise and experience in the planning, administration and management of projects. Membership of the Committee lasts for three years (JD / 679 / 22.8.1996 Joint Ministerial Decision, article 4, paragraph 2). Because there are more than nine (9) Departments at DUTH, a special Seven-member Body is established as foreseen by the JD / 679 / 22.8.1996 joint ministerial decision, consisting of the Head of the Committee, its Vice-President, and five (5) of its members, elected by the members of the Committee. The Research Committee assigns the responsibilities to the Seven-member Body within the framework of the provisions of JD / 679 / 22.8.1996 Joint Ministerial Decision (Article 4, paragraph 6). The Legal Representative of Special Account for Research Funds of DUTH is the Head of the Research Committee and in case of an impediment, he/she is replaced by the Vice-President of the Research Committee; the latter is elected at the first meeting of the Committee among its new members. The Committee meets at the invitation of the Head of the Committee, whenever it is deemed necessary or requested by 1/3 of its members or by the Senate of DUTH.

The Secretariat of the Special Account for Research Funds is staffed according to its needs of either by University personnel, scientific or otherwise, made available by Senate decision following a proposal of the Research Committee or by new staff recruited following the decision of the Research Committee and paid from funds of the Special Account for Research Funds. The Secretariat of the Special Account for Research Funds has the following responsibilities: