Author Archives: Esther KNIGHT

Submit your COST Action proposal

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COST is the longest-running European framework supporting trans-national cooperation among researchers, engineers and scholars across Europe.

It is a unique means for them to jointly develop their own ideas and new initiatives across all fields in science and technology, including social sciences and humanities, through pan-European networking of nationally funded research activities. Based on a European intergovernmental framework for cooperation in science and technology, COST has been contributing – since its creation in 1971 – to closing the gap between science, policy makers and society throughout Europe and beyond. As a precursor of advanced multidisciplinary research, COST plays a very important role in building a European Research Area (ERA).

It anticipates and complements the activities of the EU Framework Programmes, constituting a “bridge” towards the scientific communities of COST Inclusiveness Target Countries. It also increases the mobility of researchers across Europe and fosters the establishment of scientific excellence.

You can submit your COST Action proposal at any time throughout the year via the new e-COST online submission tool. The fall 2015 Collection Date is 8 September 2015.

COST invites proposals for Actions contributing to the scientific, technological, economic, cultural or societal knowledge advancement and development of Europe.

The Call is open to ideas in all fields of Science and Technology including Humanities and Social Sciences. Multi- and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged.

The COST Open Call will continue having the spring and autumn Collection Dates, when all submitted proposals are gathered and evaluated.

The new set of COST Implementation Rules outlines procedures and conditions for participating in and setting up COST Actions.

The new Action Proposal Submission, Evaluation, Selection and Approval (SESA) procedure is fully science and technology-driven and will ensure a simple, transparent and competitive proposal evaluation and selection process, in line with the bottom-up, open and inclusive principles of COST.

The guidelines for the SESA procedure and evaluation criteria are available here. The anonymity criterion is also described in detail here.

Researchers benefit from a one-stage submission. The proposal requires filling in several sections via the new e-COST online submission tool as well as the Technical Annex of up to 15 pages, uploaded via the same tool.

The way to a successful COST Action proposal: SESA procedure explained

This video will take you through the entire Open Call process. You can also download the basic presentation

 

International collaboration opportunities with the British Council

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britishcouncil-logoThe British Council provides access to a large number of collaboration opportunities with academics for institutional links, travel grants, and workshops.

Partner countries include Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Phillipines, Thailand, Khazahstan, Mexico, Turkey, South Africa, Uruguay, Morocco, UAE and Quatar.

The full set of current opportunities can be accessed here:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/education/science/current-opportunities

 

 

COMING SOON: H2020-FoF-2016 factories of the future

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horizon2020The European Commission Horizon 2020: Industrial Leadership will shortly be inviting proposals, under the leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – nanotechnologies, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing and processing, and biotechnology work programme, for its H2020-FoF-2016 factories of the future call.

The call is expected to open on 1 October 2015 and the anticipated deadline is 21 January 2016. More information is expected to be published in the third quarter of 2015. The following information, including which topics may be addressed in this call, is subject to change.

Proposals may address the following topics:

•FoF-01-2016 novel hybrid approaches for additive and subtractive manufacturing machines;

•FoF-02-2016 machinery and robot systems in dynamic shop floor environments using novel embedded cognitive functions;

•FoF-03-2016 zero-defect strategies at system level for multi-stage manufacturing in production lines;

•FoF-04-2016 continuous adaptation of work environments with changing levels of automation in evolving production systems;

•FoF-05-2016 support for the further development of additive manufacturing technologies in Europe.

Proposals must take the form of research and innovation actions, innovation actions or coordination and support actions, depending on the topic.

Research and innovation actions and innovation actions require participation by at least three legal entities, each established in a different EU member state or associated country.

Coordination and support actions require at least one legal entity established in a member state or associated country.

All H2020 funding calls allow third country partners who secure their own funding to participate in consortia.

The indicative budget for this call is €77 million.

Closing date 21 Jan 16

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/nanotechnologies-advanced-materials-advanced-manufacturing-and-processing-and

Study abroad studentships

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1586[1]The Leverhulme Trust invites applications for its study abroad studentships. These support an extended period of advanced study or research at a centre of learning overseas, excluding the US. All subject areas may be considered, with the exception of studies of disease, illness and disabilities in humans or animals, or research that is intended to inform clinical practice or the development of medical applications.

Applicants must have been resident in the UK for at least five years and hold an undergraduate degree from a UK institution. Applicants should also either be a student at the time of application or have been registered as a student within the last eight years.

Studentships comprise £18,000 per year for basic maintenance costs, a dependent partner allowance of £6,000, return airfare and baggage allowance. They may include further allowances, such as tuition fees and a contribution to essential research costs, at the trust’s discretion. Awards support periods between 12 and 24 months.

Closing date 11 Jan 16

Deadline information Applications are invited between 1 September 2015 and 4pm, 11 January 2016. This call is repeated once a year.

Further information:

https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/grant-schemes/study-abroad-studentships

COMING SOON: H2020-INNOSUP-2016 enhancing SME innovation capacity by providing better innovation support

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horizon2020

 

The European Commission Horizon 2020, under its Innovation in SMEs programme, will shortly be inviting proposals for its H2020-INNOSUP-2016 enhancing SME innovation capacity by providing better innovation support call. More information will be released in the third quarter of 2015. The following information, including which topics may be addressed in this call, are subject to change.

Proposals may address the following topics:

•INNOSUP-1-2016 capacity building support and exchange on good practices of the national contact points for SMEs and access to risk finance under H2020;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 SME innovation detachment/fellowship;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 services to accelerate the uptake of advanced manufacturing technologies;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 SMEs for social innovation – challenge platform;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 innovating SMEs – segmentation along lifecycle and sectors;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 cluster animated projects for new industrial value chains;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 peer learning for innovation agencies.

Proposals must take the form of coordination and support actions, research actions or innovation actions, depending on the topic addressed.

Research actions and innovation actions require participation by at least three legal entities, each established in a different EU member state or associated country.

Coordination and support actions require at least one legal entity established in a member state or associated country. All H2020 funding calls allow third country partners who secure their own funding to participate in consortia.

 

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/innovation-smes

 

COMING SOON: H2020-EEB-2016 energy efficient buildings

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horizon2020

The European Commission Horizon 2020 Industrial Leadership will shortly be inviting proposals, under the leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – nanotechnologies, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing and processing, and biotechnology work programme, for its energy efficient buildings call.

The call is expected to open on 1 October 2015 and the anticipated closing date is 21 January 2016.

The following information, including the topics may be addressed in this call, may be subject to change.

Proposals may address the following topics:

•EEB 01-2016 highly efficient insulation materials with improved properties;

•EEB 02-2016 performance indicators and monitoring techniques for energy-efficiency and environmental quality at building and district level;

•EEB 03-2016 integration of advanced technologies for heating and cooling at building and district level;

•EEB 04-2016 new technologies and strategies for the development of pre-fabricated elements through the reuse and recycling of construction materials and structures.

Proposals must take the form of research and innovation actions, innovation actions or coordination and support actions depending on the topic addressed.

Research and innovation actions and innovation actions require participation by at least three legal entities, each established in a different EU member state or associated country. Coordination and support actions require at least one legal entity established in a member state or associated country.

All H2020 funding calls allow third country partners who secure their own funding to participate in consortia.

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/nanotechnologies-advanced-materials-advanced-manufacturing-and-processing-and

Closing date 21 Jan 16

The indicative budget for this call is €49 million.

 

COMING SOON: SME instrument common call – phase one

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horizon2020

The European Commission Horizon 2020, under its Innovation in SMEs programme, will be seeking proposals for its SME instrument common call – phase one.

More information will become available in the third quarter of 2015. The following information, including which the topics addressed in this call, may be subject to change.

In phase one, funding is available for a feasibility study, in to verify the technological and practical, as well as economic, viability of an innovation idea or concept which has considerable novelty to the relevant industry sector.

Proposals can address the following topics:

•leadership in enabling and industrial technologies, including

H2020-SMEinst-81-2016-2017-ICT open disruptive innovation scheme,

H2020-SMEinst-82-2016-2017-NMBP accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs,

H2020-SMEinst-83-2016-2017-NMBP dedicated support to biotechnology SMEs closing the gap from lab to market,

H2020-SMEinst-84-2016-2017-BIOTEC SME boosting biotechnology-based industrial processes driving competitiveness and sustainability and

H2020-SMEinst-84-2016-2017-SME-SPACE engaging SMEs in space research and development;

•Health, demographic change and wellbeing, including

H2020-SMEinst-11-2016-2017-PHC clinical research for the validation of biomarkers or diagnostic medical devices;

•Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy, including

H2020-SMEinst21-2016-2017-SFS resource-efficient eco-innovative food production and processing,

H2020-SMEinst-22-2016-2017- advancing innovations in integrated pest management – a role for SMEs,

H2020-SMEinst-23-2016-2017- creating added value from waste and by-products generated on farm and along the value-chain,

H2020-SMEinst-24-2016-2017-BE intelligent solutions and tools in forest production systems, fostering sustainable supply of quality wood for the growing bio-economy,

H2020-SMEinst-25-2016-2017-BG supporting SMEs efforts for the development- deployment and market replication of innovative solutions for blue growth;

•Secure, clean and efficient energy, including

H2020-SMEinst-31-2016-2017-SIE stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon and efficient energy system;

•Smart, green and integrated transport, including

H2020-SMEinst-41-2016-2017-IT small business innovation research for transport;

•Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials, including

H2020-SMEinst-51-2016-2017-SC5 achieving a resource-efficient and climate change resilient economy and a sustainable supply of raw materials;

•Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective societies, including

H2020-SMEinst-61-2016-2017-INSO innovative mobile e-government applications by SMEs,

H2020-SMEinst-62-2016-2017-INSO SME business model innovation;

•Secure societies – protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens, including

H2020-SMEinst-71-2016-2017-DRS protection of urban soft targets and urban critical infrastructure and

H2020-SMEinst-72-2016-2017 protection of urban soft targets and urban critical infrastructure.

Actions require at least one SME. Only applications from for-profit SMEs established in EU member states or countries associated to Horizon 2020 are eligible. All H2020 funding calls allow third country partners who secure their own funding to participate in consortia.

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/funding/index.html

Closing date 02 Mar 16

Leverhulme – Research Fellowships

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1586[1]

Offering up to £50,000 over three to twenty-four months for experienced researchers to conduct a programme of research in any discipline. Research Fellowships are open to experienced researchers, particularly those who are or have been prevented by routine duties from completing a programme of original research. Awards are not limited to those holding appointments in higher education.

Value

The maximum value of a Fellowship is £50,000. The awards provide research expenses over and above normal living costs and/or provide a contribution towards reasonable replacement costs or loss of earnings.

Duration

Fellowships are tenable for between 3 and 24 months, and the current round of awards must commence between 1 June 2016 and 1 May 2017.

The 2016 round opens on 1 September 2015. The closing date for applications is 12 November 2015 at 4pm.

Eligibility and application information

Contacts

Anna Grundy (020 7042 9861), Bridget Kerr (020 7042 9862) or Andreas Heiner (020 7042 9863)

Leverhulme Trust – International Networks

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1586[1]

Up to £125,000 over up to three years to allow a UK-based researcher to build a new collaborative research project with overseas institutions. First-stage outline applications can be submitted at any time.These collaborations enable a Principal Investigator based in the UK to lead a research project where its successful completion is dependent on the participation of relevant overseas institutions.A significant research theme must be identified at the outset which requires for its successful treatment international collaboration between one or more UK universities, and two or more overseas institutions (up to a maximum of seven institutions in total). Networks must be newly constituted collaborations. Applicants should provide an explicit statement as to why a network is the most appropriate format for addressing the chosen research theme.

Full justification should be given for the involvement of all participants, with each participant bringing specific – and stated – expertise which can directly contribute to the success of the project. Details of the proposed methodology for the research project should be provided at the outset, as well as a clear indication of the anticipated outcomes (publications, websites), and of the dissemination strategy to be adopted.

Value and Duration

Awards are normally made up to £125,000, although requests for higher amounts will be considered if an appropriate case can be made. Grants are made for periods of no more than three years.

Eligible research areas

The following guidelines are drawn to the attention of potential applicants:

  • The trust does not fund studies of disease, illness and disabilities in humans and animals, or research that is intended to inform clinical practice or the development of medical applications.
  • The Trust does not fund policy-driven research where the principal objective is to assemble an evidence base for immediate policy initiatives.
  • The Trust will not fund applications for research of which advocacy forms an explicit component.
  • The Trust does not support research which is aimed principally at an immediate commercial application.
  • The Trust will not fund applications in which the balance between assembling a data bank or database and the related subsequent research is heavily inclined to the former.
  • The Trust does not fund applications in which the main focus is on capacity building, networking, or the development of the skills of those involved.

If you are uncertain about eligibility, telephone or email the Trust before submitting an application.

The Trust’s approach to grant-making

Specific attention is paid to the reasons given by applicants in justifying their choice of the Trust as the most appropriate agency for the support of their project. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to consult the statement on the Leverhulme Trust’s approach to grant-making.

Costs, eligibility and application information

There are no deadlines for Outline Applications, and their assessment is normally completed within three months

  • An invitation to progress to the second stage – preparation of a Detailed Application – will be sent to those whose Outline Application has been approved.

Contact

Nicola Thorp (020 7042 9872)

Winston Churchill memorial trust: Travelling fellowships

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Winston Churchill

 

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust invites applications for its travelling fellowships. These enable British citizens to travel overseas in order to bring back knowledge and best practice for the benefit of others in UK professions and communities. Applications are invited in the following areas of research:

•crafts and makers;

•designers;

•early years prevention and intervention;

•education;

•environment, sustainable living and horticulture;

•medicine, health and patient care;

•mental health;

•new approaches to housing;

•science, technology and innovation;

•young people;

•open category.

Applicants must be British citizens, resident in the UK and at least 18 years old by the end of the year.

Grants usually support travel for four to eight weeks and cover economy return flights to the UK, internal travel in the destination countries, and food and accommodation while travelling. Visa fees, vaccinations cost and insurance are also paid for.

http://www.wcmt.org.uk/apply

Closing date 22 Sep 15