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Dear list subscribers,<br>
<br>
please find below the annoucement for a very attractive funding
opportunity for junior research groups in the area of Computational
Neuroscience in Germany. <br>
<br>
Best regards,<br>
<br>
Simone Cardoso<br>
..............................<br>
<br>
<h1><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN">Regulations for
the <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1><span style="" lang="EN">"Bernstein Award"
Funding Initiative <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN">within the
framework of the National Network for Computational Neuroscience</span><span
style="" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN">Announcement of
the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) [November 20,
2007 -
deadline: June 02, 2008]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span
style="" lang="EN">
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="" lang="EN">1. Funding
purpose and legal basis</span></strong><b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
<br>
<strong>1.1 Funding purpose</strong><br>
<br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN">Computational
Neuroscience is a very dynamic research discipline in the field of the
neurosciences. With its interdisciplinary approach and systematic
cooperation
between biology, medicine, physics, mathematics and computer science,
this
research area promises the accelerated generation of new findings as
well as
major impetus for application-oriented fields such as health research,
information technology and education. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">The BMBF has established four
"Bernstein Centres for Computational Neuroscience" (<a
href="http://www.bernstein-zentren.de" target="=_blank"
title="www.bernstein-zentren.de">www.bernstein-zentren.de</a>) within
the
framework of its "National Network for Computational Neuroscience"
funding activity. These high-performing centres are the major
structural
elements of the National Network. This means that a new structure has
been
created which is necessary for developing a new quality in
Computational
Neuroscience, for networking this research area and for promoting its
international visibility. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">It is particularly important to
attract excellent young researchers in order to lastingly strengthen
and
establish Computational Neuroscience as a field of research in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
The
Bernstein Centres contribute substantially to achieving this goal with
their
concepts for supporting junior researchers at the level of study
programmes and
postgraduate studies. But there is also a great need to attract and
support
young researchers at the level of research group leaders, where they
will be
able to develop their own research profile and greater scientific
independence
by establishing and heading their own junior research groups.<br>
The "Bernstein Award" funding activity aims to support research
projects in the field of Computational Neuroscience, thus enabling
excellent
young researchers working in this field to implement innovative project
ideas
in Computational Neuroscience in the German research environment. This
is
intended inter alia to promote the academic qualification of these
outstanding
young researchers. The projects supported under the "Bernstein Award"
initiative will become an integral part of the National Network for
Computational Neuroscience and give new impetus to scientific
activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">1.2 Legal basis</span></strong><b><span
style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
Projects can be supported with grants awarded in accordance with the
present
funding regulations, the BMBF's standard terms and conditions for
grants on
expenditure or cost basis and the administrative regulations under
section 44
of the Federal Budget Code (BHO). Applicants have no legal claim to a
grant.
The grant-awarding agency will decide freely after due assessment of
the
circumstances within the framework of the budget funds available. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">2. Object of funding </span></strong><b><span
style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
Funding is provided for research projects which have been designed by
young,
German or foreign postdocs which the latter will conduct at a German
research
institution. Researchers are required to furnish evidence of
extraordinary
scientific achievements in the field of Computational Neuroscience. By
realizing research projects which they have designed and will supervise
themselves and by establishing their own junior research group, the
young
project leaders are to be given an opportunity to conduct independent
research.
The funded research projects are to be conducted at a German university
or
scientific institution (see para 3. below) within or outside the
Bernstein
Centres. <br>
The funded projects of the young researchers are to be integrated in
the
National Network for Computational Neuroscience in order to strengthen
this
network. The young researchers should therefore participate in the
annual
workshops and status seminars of the Bernstein Centres. The purpose of
the
status seminars is to facilitate exchanges on the progress and results
of research
and to promote networking between the Bernstein Centres.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">3. Grant recipients</span></strong><b><span
style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
Research proposals may be submitted by institutions of higher education
and
non-university research institutions based in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Research institutions
which receive joint basic funding from the Federal Government and the
Länder
can only be awarded project funding to cover their additional
expenditure under
certain conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">4. Prerequisites for
funding </span></strong><b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
Funding under the "Bernstein Award" initiative is only provided for
innovative
research projects which have been designed by outstanding postdocs and
will be
conducted by them at a university or non-university research
institution in
Germany (see paras 2. and 3. above). A project will only be eligible
for
funding if the university or research institution concerned employs the
young
researcher during the funding period. Furthermore, it is expected that
the
working facilities required for carrying out the project (basic
equipment in
terms of laboratory space and other infrastructure) will be made
available and
the young researcher supported in all matters. A statement made to that
effect
by the receiving institution must be included with the project outline
to be
submitted in accordance with para 7.2.1 below.<br>
In their own interest, applicants should familiarize themselves with
the EU's
Research Framework Programme in the context of the planned national
project.
They should check whether the planned project includes specific
European
components which make it eligible for exclusive EU funding. Applicants
should
furthermore examine whether an additional application for funding can
be
submitted to the EU in the context of the planned national project.
Applicants
should briefly state the results of such an examination in their
national
application.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">5. Type, scope and rates
of funding</span></strong><b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
Project funding may be awarded in the form of non-repayable grants. <br>
The basis for calculating the grants for universities, research and
science
institutions and similar establishments is the project-related
expenditure
eligible for funding (grants for Helmholtz centres and the Fraunhofer
Gesellschaft (FhG) will be calculated on the basis of the
project-related costs
eligible for funding); up to 100 per cent of this expenditure/costs can
be
funded in individual cases.<br>
The European Commission's Community Framework for State Aid for
Research and
Development must be taken into account when fixing the rates of
funding. The
Community Framework allows differentiated rules on extra percentage
points for
collaborative projects proposed by applicants from the new German
Länder and
for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which may result in a
higher
rate of funding.<br>
Under the "Bernstein Award" initiative, funding will be provided for
one research project per year within the framework of relevant
medium-term
fiscal planning. The maximum funding period for each individual project
is five
years. Funding for each individual project can amount to up to €1.25
million
over the entire project period. <br>
During the project period, funding can be provided for the position of
the
young project leader (up to salary group E14 TVöD or Ib BAT), for up to
two
positions for further scientific staff (E13 TVöD or IIa BAT), and for
the
required technical personnel in accordance with the relevant collective
agreements. Funding cannot be provided for posts which are financed
from public
funds. Equipment and investment costs will be reimbursed pursuant to
the other
terms and conditions which are applicable (see inter alia paras 6 and 7
below).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">6. Other terms and
conditions for awarding funds</span></strong><b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
The Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen auf Kostenbasis des BMBF an
Unternehmen
der gewerblichen Wirtschaft für Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvorhaben
(Auxiliary
Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF to Commercial
Companies for
Research and Development Projects on a Cost Basis – NKBF 98) will be
part of
the notification of award for grants on a cost basis.<br>
The Allgemeine Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen zur Projektförderung
(General
Auxiliary Conditions for Grants for the Promotion of Projects –
ANBest-P) and
the Besondere Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen des BMBF zur
Projektförderung
auf Ausgabenbasis (Special Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds
Provided by
the BMBF for the Promotion of Projects on an Expenditure Basis –
BNBest-BMBF
98) will be part of the notification of award for grants on an
expenditure basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">7. Procedure</span></strong><b><span
style="" lang="EN"><br>
<br>
<strong>7.1 Involvement of a project management organization and
request for
documents</strong><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has commissioned the
following
project management organization to implement the funding activity: <br>
Projektträger PT-DLR – Projektträger Gesundheitsforschung <br>
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1<br>
53227 Bonn<br>
Germany<br>
Tel.: +49 228 3821-210 (Secretariat)<br>
Fax: +49 228 3821-257<br>
Internet: <a href="http://www.pt-dlr.de/" target="=_blank"
title="http://www.pt-dlr.de/">http://www.pt-dlr.de/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">The contact is Dr. Jansen (Tel.
+49 228 3821-296).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">Application forms, guidelines,
information for applicants and the auxiliary terms and conditions are
available
<a href="http://www.kp.dlr.de/profi/easy/formular.html" target="=_blank"
title="http://www.kp.dlr.de/profi/easy/formular.html">here</a> or can
be
obtained from the project management organization. Applicants are
strongly
recommended to use the electronic application system "<a
href="http://www.kp.dlr.de/profi/easy/formular.html" target="=_blank"
title="http://www.kp.dlr.de/profi/easy/formular.html">easy</a>" for
drafting formal applications.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">7.2 Two-tiered funding
procedure</span></strong><b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
The funding procedure is two-tiered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="" lang="EN">7.2.1
Submission and selection of project outlines</span></strong><b><span
style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
In a first step, written project outlines must be submitted by post to
the
project management organization (PT-DLR)<br>
<br>
<strong>by 02 June 2008 at the latest.</strong><b><br>
</b><br>
</span><span style="" lang="EN-GB">It is intended to
implement further funding decisions, if necessary. Further deadlines
for the
submission of proposals will be published on <a
href="http://www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de/de/175.php">http://www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de/de/175.php</a>.
</span><span style="" lang="EN">With a view to the
international evaluation procedure, it is recommended that the project
outlines
be submitted to the PT-DLR <strong>in English</strong>. The deadline
for
submission is not a cut-off deadline. However, it may prove impossible
to
consider project outlines which are received after that date. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><br>
</span><span style="" lang="EN">Young German and foreign
researchers who meet the criteria set out in this announcement (see
para 4
above) are entitled to submit project outlines in agreement with the
receiving
university or research institution. </span><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">The project outlines must include
a description structured along the following lines:<br>
- Name of the young researcher, full office address, contact details
(phone,
fax, e-mail)<br>
- A meaningful CV (up to five pages, Arial 11 pt), which includes
achievements
in Computational Neuroscience (e. g. supervision of young researchers,
national
and international cooperation, raising of external funds, invitation to
or hosting
of conferences, membership of editorial boards of relevant scientific
journals,
expert opinions, other activities)<br>
- List of publications<br>
- Preliminary project description for the research programme of the
entire
proposed junior research group, including all planned scientific and
technical
staff members (up to ten pages Arial 11 pt) and a financial plan<br>
- Statement from the university or research institution at which the
research
programme is to be carried out confirming that the young researcher
will be
provided with the working facilities needed to perform the project
(basic
equipment in terms of laboratory space and other infrastructure) and
will be
supported in all matters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">Applicants are requested to
submit 10 copies of their outlines. <br>
A legal claim cannot be derived from the submission of a project
outline.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">The evaluation of the project
outlines received will involve external experts and be based on the
following
criteria:<br>
<br>
a) Previous achievements of the young researcher in the field of
Computational
Neuroscience <br>
- Scientific work including publications <br>
- Supervisory activities <br>
- International activities <br>
- Other activities (raising of external funds, etc.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">b) Quality of the proposed
research programme<br>
- Scientific and methodical quality <br>
- Scientific expertise of the applicant<br>
- Innovative potential<br>
- Reference to research focuses of the host institution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">On the basis of the evaluation, a
suitable project idea will then be selected for funding. The applicants
will be
informed in writing about the result of the selection procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">7.2.2 Submission of
formal applications and decision-making procedure</span></strong><b><span
style="" lang="EN"><br>
<br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN">In a second step,
applicants whose project outlines have been evaluated positively will
be
invited to submit (within six weeks of the invitation) a formal
application of
the institution where the research project is to be carried out; a
decision on
such formal application will be taken after final evaluation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="" lang="EN">Approval and payment of and
accounting for the funds as well as proof and examination of proper use
and, if
necessary, revocation of the award and reclaiming of the funds awarded
are
governed by the administrative regulations pertaining to section 44 of
the
Federal Budget Code (BHO) and sections 48 to 49a of the Administrative
Procedure Act (VwVfG) unless deviation is allowed under the present
funding
regulations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="" lang="EN">8. Entry into force</span></strong><b><span
style="" lang="EN"><br>
</span></b><span style="" lang="EN"><br>
These funding regulations will enter into force on the date of
publication in
the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).<br>
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Berlin</st1:place></st1:State>,
29
October 2007<br>
Federal Ministry of Education and Research<br>
<br>
Dr. Christiane Buchholz<br>
Molecular Life Sciences Division<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Dr. Simone Cardoso de Oliveira
Til December 2007:
Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Freiburg
Coordinator for Teaching and Training Programs
>From January 2008:
Bernstein Coordination Site of the
National Network Computational Neuroscience
Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Hansastr. 9A
79104 Freiburg, Germany
phone: +49-761-203-9575
fax: +49-761-203-9559
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.bccn.uni-freiburg.de">www.bccn.uni-freiburg.de</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:cardoso@bccn.uni-freiburg.de">cardoso@bccn.uni-freiburg.de</a>
</pre>
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