Cutting Edge Research Fund | Call for proposals reopened

Applications can be submitted continuously until no later than 30 June 2019. Furthermore, the call’s scope has been widen for Research Fellowships, now also enabling applicants to prepare an application by a consortium in the context of the Dutch National Research Agenda (NWA) and the Dutch Top Sectors.

The UvA Faculty of Humanities offers the funding scheme 'Cutting Edge Research Fund' that fosters (inter)national collaboration aimed at innovative, cutting edge research.
Applications are invited for two types of grants: 1. Network Grants and 2. Research Fellowships. 

The Fund was made available by the Sustainable Humanities Programme (Duurzame Geesteswetenschappen).

Aim

The UvA FGw Cutting Edge Research Fund is intended to support research staff in initiating or further developing (inter)national networking activities, with the aim of increasing research collaborations with foreign partners that can lead to EU funding by a consortium (e.g., Horizon 2020: Marie Curie RISE, Marie Curie ITN, Societal Challenges; Creative Europe; COST).

In addition, the fund is intended to support research staff in preparing EU applications by a consortium and/or applications by a consortium in the context of the NWA and the Dutch Top Sectors. 

NB. This funding scheme is not intended to support the preparation of personal grants (ERC Starting/Consolidate/Advanced, NWO Veni/Vidi/Vici) or grant proposals for the NWO Open Competition.

Closing date

This scheme operates without formal deadlines. Applicants are able to submit an application continuously until no later than 30 June 2019. We aim to inform applicants of the outcome of their application within two months from the date of submission.

Applicants applying for a Research Fellowship must do so at least 6 months before the intended start date. The start date must coincide with the start of a new semester.

What can be applied for?

1. Network Grants

Two kinds of Network grants can be applied for:

Network Grant – Initiate 
Intended for organising network meetings with foreign partners from at least four different countries to be held at the UvA, with the aim of developing new international networks and interactions. The goal of the meeting(s) is to jointly explore the possibilities of setting up an international consortium for EU funding.
A maximum of € 2500 can be applied for (for e.g., travel and accommodation expenses of participants, catering costs).

Network Grant – Consolidate 
Intended for organising network meetings with foreign partners from at least four different countries to be held at the UvA, with the aim of further developing and strengthening international collaboration, and ultimately submitting an application for EU funding by an international consortium.
A maximum of € 5000 can be applied for (for e.g., travel and accommodation expenses of participants, catering costs).

NB. NWO offers network grants for matchmaking events, within one or more of the 25 routes of the Dutch National Research Agenda (NWA) from the portfolio for Research and Innovation. The purpose of the Matchmaking events is to form (new) consortia across the entire knowledge chain and developing proposals for innovative research. For each initiative, a maximum of € 10,000 can be applied for. See https://www.nwo.nl/en/funding/our-funding-instruments/nwa/dutch-national-research-agenda---matchmaking-events/dutch-national-research-agenda---matchmaking-events.html.

2. Research Fellowships

Applicants can apply for a Research Fellowship consisting of:

• Release time from teaching duties of 0,2 FTE for one semester (6 months)
• Bench fee for network meetings: € 5000 for proposal coordinators; € 1000 for partners

The funding will be used to temporarily release a senior staff member from teaching duties to enable him/her to prepare an application for EU, NWA or Top Sector funding by a consortium. The UvA staff member is the proposal coordinator of the consortium, or has a significant role in the consortium (e.g., work package leader). The bench fee for a proposal coordinator will cover the costs of organising meetings with consortium partners (from at least four different countries and/or of an interdisciplinary and knowledge chain-wide composition) for the preparation of the joint application. The bench fee for a partner will cover personal travel and accommodation expenses.

Who can apply?

1. Network Grants

• Applicants are researchers employed by the Faculty of Humanities, UvA.

2. Research Fellowships

• Applicants are senior researchers at the Faculty of Humanities, UvA, and have a tenured position or a temporary appointment for the duration of the EU, NWA or Top Sector application process and the research project.
• Applicants intend to conduct the proposed research project at the UvA, Faculty of Humanities, following the award of the grant.

Application requirements

• Applications are drawn up in accordance with the guidelines provided in Annex I and II below.
• The envisaged research project relates to the work of the research school and/or research priority area.
• Applicants may only submit one proposal.
• A statement of consent is included from the Director of the Research School, stating that the intended research project fits within the research profile of the school.
• A statement of consent is included from the Department Chair, ensuring release from teaching duties should the grant be awarded. Applications for a Research Fellowship must be submitted at least 6 months before the intended start date. The start date must coincide with the beginning of a semester.

Applications assessment

1. Network Grants

An expert panel will consider the applications primarily on the basis of the quality of the applicant, the quality of the consortium, the potential of the project idea, and the organisation and coherency of the work plan.

2. Research Fellowships

An expert panel will consider the applications primarily on the basis of the quality of the applicant, the quality of the consortium, the scientific quality and feasibility of the proposed project, and the organisation and coherency of the work plan.

Submitting an application

Applications can be submitted continuously until no later than 30 June 2019 by e-mail to aihr-fgw@uva.nl as one file in PDF format.

Information

Simon Speksnijder, s.a.speksnijder@uva.nl, 020-5256234

Annexes