Table of content
1 General Information about the Programme SASPRO .......................................................................... 3
2 Eligibility criteria ................................................................................................................................... 6
3 How to apply ........................................................................................................................................ 9
4 Evaluation and selection .................................................................................................................... 22
5 Negotiation and implementation ....................................................................................................... 24
6 Ethical Issues ...................................................................................................................................... 25
Annex I ................................................................................................................................................... 30
Annex II .................................................................................................................................................. 31
Annex III ................................................................................................................................................. 32
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Programme SASPRO – Mobility Programme of the Slovak Academy of
Sciences
GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS
version: April 2014
1 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMME SASPRO
Programme SASPRO is intended for experienced scientists with up to 14 years research experience
after obtaining PhD. The target audience differs depending on selected mobility type:
Incoming grants – researchers who have not resided or carried out their main activity (work,
studies, etc.) in the Slovak Republic for more than 12 months in the last 3 years prior to the
application submission.
Reintegration grants – Slovak nationals who have carried out their main activity in the Third
countries at least 3 years prior to the application submission and who have resided or carried out
their main activity in the Slovak Republic for maximum 3 months during last 3 years prior to the
application submission.
EU Member States, Associated Countries and Third Countries
The 28 EU Member States are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the
United Kingdom.
The Associated Countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, FYR Macedonia,
Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey.
Third countries are neither EU Member States nor Countries associated with FP7.
Coordinator of the Programme is Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS). Administrative realisation of the
programme is provided by the Department of Research and Development of the SAS Office.
The programme is characterized by transparency and openness, granting the fellow freedom to
choose research projects, host organisation and host supervisor/mentor.
The Programme is co-funded by the Marie Curie Co-funding of Regional, National and International
Programmes (COFUND) under the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Commission.
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This Guide for applicant (GfA) provides practical information to potential applicants in preparing and
submitting
an application for SASPRO Programme. In addition, it provides a general overview on this
NOTE
programme, evaluation process and presents the main features of the grant agreement and the
For more detailed
information
read carrefully Statute of the Programme SASPRO.
implementation
of SASPRO
fellowship.
!
ORGANISATIONS AND PEOPLE INVOLVED
The application for SASPRO programme is submitted by an experienced researcher in liaison with the
chosen Host Organisation.
Applicant refers to the experienced researcher that applies for the incoming or reintegration
mobility scheme. Applicant may be also referred as “researcher” or “fellow” (in case of
implementation of the project).
Host Organisation refers to the organisation where the applicant plans to carry out his/her research
project (or where the fellow carries out his/her research project). Host organisation must be chosen
from SAS scientific organisations. List of these organisations is published on the Programme website
and it is an Annex I of the GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS (referred further as GfA).
Authorized representative refers to the statutory authority of the Host Organisations – director of
the Host Organisation.
Scientist in charge refers to the person responsible for supervising and mentoring the fellow at the
Host Organisation.
FINANCIAL REGIME
Living allowance – fellow’s salary, which, in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations of
the Slovak Republic, involves all wage deductions of both, the employer and the employee and is
subject to standard taxation.
The amount of living allowance must be kept within the following limits
1-5 years of experience after obtaining PhD: €2860 - 3140 per month (full-time)
6-10 years of experience after obtaining PhD: €3640 - 3900 per month (full-time)
11-14 years of experience after obtaining PhD: €4000 – 4280 per month (full-time)
Mobility/travel allowance – a contribution to partially or totally cover increased costs associated
with mobility of a researcher. There are three reference amounts depending on the family status of
the researcher at the time of the relevant deadline for submission of application:
€660/month for fellows with family obligations and in charge of children under 26 years;
€550/month for fellows with family obligations and in charge of children above 26
years/without children;
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€440/month for fellows without family obligations.
Contribution to research costs - Costs associated with scientific activities of the researcher to cover
running costs (exluding durable equipment expenditures) of his/her project. These include
consumables, supplies, small equipments, cost of conference attendance, etc.
This contribution shall consist of a fixed amount:
€800 per month for laboratory based research projects;
€400 per month for non-laboratory based research projects.
Overheads - Up to 8,5% of the direct eligible costs for fellow. Indirect costs are all those eligible costs
which cannot be identified by the host organisation as being directly attributed to the project but
which can be identified and justified by its accounting system as being incurred in direct relationship
with the eligible direct costs attributed to the project, e. g. costs related to general administration
and management; costs of office or laboratory space, including rent or depreciation of buildings and
equipment, and related expenditure such as water, heating, electricity; maintenance, insurance and
safety costs; communication expenses, network connection charges, postal charges and office
supplies; common office equipment such as PCs, laptops, office software; miscellaneous recurring
consumables.
NON-ELIGIBLE COSTS
!
Non-eligible costs cannot be reimbursed through the SASPRO Programme:
-
Any identifiable indirect taxes, including VAT or custom duties;
-
Interest owed;
-
Provisions for possible future losses or charges;
-
Exchange losses;
-
Costs declared, incurred or reimbursed in respect of another project;
-
Costs related to return on capital;
-
Debt and debt service charges;
-
Excessive or reckless expenditure.
CONDITIONS OF SASPRO FELLOWSHIPS
Host organisation will enter into a fixed-term full-time employment contract with successful
applicant. Standard employment conditions will be provided to the fellows. These conditions are
governed by the Slovak Labour Code (Act. No. 311/2001 Coll. as amended referred further as Act).
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Any employee cannot be discriminated on the basis of gender, age, ethnic, national or social origin,
religion or belief, sexual orientation, language, disability, political opinion, social or economic
condition.
Maximum weekly working time of an employee (according to the Act and collective agreement) shall
be 37,5 hours. In the case of risk work environment (exhaustively described in the Act) working time
shall be at most 33 and ½ hours per week. An employee’s average weekly working time including
overtime may not exceed 48 hours.
Working time of employees is flexible with basic and optional parts.
Working conditions will be negotiated between the host organisation and fellow and they will be
a part of the employment contract.
Social security coverage and social benefits are governed by the law of the Slovak Republic which is
in compliance with EU legislation. Bilateral agreements on Social Security between Slovak Republic
and countries which are currently members of EU have been fully or partly replaced by Regulation
(EC) No. 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of social
security systems as amended by Regulation (EC) No. 988/2009. Provisions of this Regulation have
been extended to the Third countries by Regulation (EU) No. 1231/2010 of the European Parliament
and of the Council.
Social security system in the Slovak Republic is based on social insurance which is composed from:
-
-
-
Sickness insurance (providing following sickness benefits):
 Sickness allowance
 Nursing care allowance
 Equalization allowance
 Maternity allowance
Pension insurance
 Old-age insurance
 Disability insurance
Insurance for industrial and work-related injuries
Wage-guarantee insurance
Unemployment insurance
Each employer must pay the social insurance premiums in the appropriate amount for individual
types of insurance. Employees' salaries are also subject to deductions for individual types of
insurance.
2 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The main criterion for selection of applicants is excellence which should meet on the side of
applicant, project and host organisation. Only this combination can ensure adequate benefits from
fellowship for all participating parties. Criteria for selection will be divided into eligibility criteria and
selection criteria itself.
Eligibility criteria are set for a) applicant, b) project, c) host organisation.
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Eligibility criteria for applicant
Eligibility criteria for applicants differ in Incoming grants and Reintegration grants. Both are
dedicated to experienced researchers that have to meet the main criterion at the date of application
submission:
- possession of PhD or equivalent degree (considered according to ERC policy about PhD and
equivalent doctoral degrees)1;
- research experiences up to 14 years after obtaining PhD or equivalent degree.
Extension of the eligibility window after PhD can be requested for the reasons as maternity leave,
paternity leave, long-term illness, civil service, etc. Request for extension must be reasoned and
supported by adequate documentation or solemn declaration.
Other eligibility criteria differ according to selected mobility scheme, as they are described in the Part
1 of the GfA – General Information about the Programme SASPRO.
Eligibility criteria for project
Whole application shall be written in English, submitted via online system before deadline.
Completeness of application is another eligible criterion; it shall contain all required parts, annexes
and information, as they are described in the Part 3 of the GfA – How to apply, or it will be rejected in
the first round of evaluation process.
No restrictions in scientific fields are set. Scientific orientation of host organisation can be the only
limitation. Research topic shall be chosen freely by researcher with agreement of host organisation’s
director and scientist in charge.
Ethical issues may restrict some research areas and exclude them from funding. Such areas are
described in Part 6 of the GfA – Ethical Issues.
Eligibility criteria for host organisation
All SAS scientific organisations are eligible host organisations. They are divided into three scientific
divisions according to their research orientation:
I.
Physical, Space, Earth and Engineering Sciences
II.
Life, Chemical, Medical and Environmental Sciences
III.
Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts and Culture
SAS organisations are located in different regions and cities of Slovak Republic that allows free
decision of fellows where to realize their research. List of the SAS organisations is in the Annex I of
the GfA and the geographical localisation of the individual SAS organisations can be found here.
1
http://erc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/document/file/erc_policy_phd_and_equivalent_degrees.pdf
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EXAMPLES
1.
Researcher - Slovak national who worked 4 years in France and who has been resided in
the Slovakia 2 months before the application submission is applying for Reintegration grant.
NON-ELIGIBLE for Reintegration grants which are for Slovak nationals who have worked in the
third countries.
ELIGIBLE for Incoming grant where is no limitation for nationality and for foreign country where
the main activity has been carried out (except Slovakia).
2.
American researcher working at UCLA (California) who has been for three stays at Slovak
university (1. – 4 months in 2012, 2. – 3 months in 2012, 3. – 6 months in 2013) is applying for
Incoming grant in April 2014.
NON-ELIGIBLE for Incoming grant – because he spent in Slovakia more than 12 months in last 3
years before the application submission.
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3 HOW TO APPLY
Application is prepared and submitted by the applicant in close cooperation with the host
organisation.
The whole application is written in English – please make sure that the English text is fully
comprehensible. In case of doubts consider proof-reading by a native speaker before submitting.
Application has to be submitted via the online system which is available through the Programme
website. Applications submitted in other ways (by post, personally, etc.) will not be taken in
consideration and will not be evaluated.
Online system will be available 6 weeks before deadline for application submission. Guide of
application submission, which gives detail information about the online system and how to submit
application electronically, will be published on the Programme website 6 weeks before deadline for
application submission.
Application can be submitted repeatedly before deadline for application submission. Before deadline
application can be freely changed or withdrawn.
Call deadline which is specified in the Call fiche is absolutely firm and is strictly kept. Applications
must be submitted before this deadline. Online system will be closed at the deadline and after this
moment access to the system will not be possible.
Restriction on submission of application
!
An applicant may submit only one application for one call under the SASPRO Programme.
An applicant whose application was evaluated as of insufficient quality to invite an applicant for
interview may not apply to very next call.
A fellow who holds/held a SASPRO Programme fellowship cannot submit other application within
this programme.
STEP BY STEP
1. Check if you comply with eligibility criteria given for applicant.
2. Choose one of the SAS scientific organisations and contact the director of this organisation or the
scientist that you wish to be your mentor (scientist in charge).
3. Discuss the possibility to perform your research project at the host organisation.
4. Ask the director of the host organisation and the scientist in charge to fill in and sign the Letter of
Commitment.
5. Read all documents necessary to prepare and submit your application.
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6. Download all necessary templates.
7. Prepare your application in cooperation with the host organisation.
8. Double check your application to comply all requirements.
9. Register yourself to the online system for application submission.
10. Submit your application.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE COMPLETING OF THE APPLICATION
The application is composed of several parts:
Part of the Application
How to prepare the individual part
Part A1 – Proposal and Applicant Information
Online
Part A2 – Host Organisation Information
Online
Part A3 - Budget
Online
Part B – Curriculum Vitae
Download template → complete it
→ convert to PDF → upload it
Part C – Research project
Download template → complete it
→ convert to PDF → upload it
Part D – Letter of Commitment of the Host Organisation
Download template → complete it
→ convert to PDF → upload it
Part E – Data protection and declaration of the information
correctness
Online
Additional documentation
Scan version of the PhD or equivalent diploma
Upload online
Documentation for requested extension of the eligibility
window
Upload online
Recommendation letter(s) (preferably one from current or
last employer)
(maximum 2 letters)
Upload online
Bellow you find the examples of the individual parts.
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Part A1: Proposal and Applicant Information
Proposal Number
[pre-filled by the system]
Proposal Acronym
The short title or acronym will be used to identify your proposal
efficiently in this call. It should be no more than 20 characters (use
standard alphabet and numbers only; no spaces, symbols or special
characters)
General Information on the Proposal
Call identifier
Mobility scheme
Proposal title (max. 180
characters; nonconfidential
information)
Expected start date
Expected end date
Duration in months
Primary Evaluation
Committee
Secondary Evaluation
Committee
Keywords
Scientific area(s)
Abstract (min. 100 and
max. 2000 characters;
non-confidential
information)
[pre-filled by the system]
Incoming/Reintegration
The title should be no longer than 180 characters and should be
understandable to the non-specialist in your field.
DD/MM/YYYYY
DD/MM/YYYYY
The estimated duration of the fellowship in full months.
[pre-filled by the system based on the Host institution selected by the
applicant]
Filled by the applicant, if the Primary Evaluation Committee is not fully
relevant to the content of the research proposal.
Keyword which best characterise the subject of your research proposal;
limit of 200 characters.
Select maximum 3 scientific areas within those the research project fits
best.
The abstract (summary) should, at a glance, provide the reader with a
clear understanding of the objectives of the research proposal and how
they will be achieved. The abstract will be used as the short description
of your research proposal in the evaluation process and in
communications to contact in particular the potential evaluators. It must
therefore be short and precise and should not contain restricted
information.
There is a limit of 2000 characters (spaces and line breaks included).
Ethical Issues
Does the research
proposal raise any
ethical issues, as
specified in the Ethical
Issues Table?
[Yes/No]
The Ethical Issues Table (Annex II of the GfA) has to be completed even if
there are no issues (simply confirm that none of the ethical issues apply
to the proposal).
If any of the ethical issues indicated in the Ethical Issues Table apply to
your proposal, you must provide a brief explanation of the ethical issues
involved and how it will be dealt with appropriately. This explanation
should be given in the Section 8 of the Part D of the application
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Information on the Applicant
Family name
Family name at birth
First name(s)
Title
Gender
Female (F)/Male (M)
Nationality
Country of residence
Date of the birth
(DD/MM/YYYY)
Country of birth
Last name as given on Passport or Identity Card.
Your last name at birth.
Your first name(s) as given on Passport or Identity Card.
Titles before name and after name (e. g. Prof., Assoc. Prof., Dr., PhD.)
This information serves for statistical and mailing purposes. Indicate F or
M as appropriate.
Please select the country.
Please select the country in which you legally reside.
Please specify your date of birth using the format DD/MM/YYYY.
Please select the country in which you were born.
Contact Information
Current organisation
Official name of your current organisation.
name (if applicable)
Current
Name of your current Department/Faculty/Institute/Laboratory.
Department/Faculty/Inst
itute/Laboratory name
(if applicable)
Street name
Street name.
Number
City
Number.
The city, in English.
Postal code
Country
Please select the country.
Phone
Please insert the full phone number including country and city/area
code.
e-mail
Please insert your e-mail address.
Please note that the e-mail is the main channel of the communication
between you and the SASPRO officers, therefore please verify that the
provided e-mail address is correct.
Academic Training
Date of (first) PhD (or
Please provide the date of award of your doctoral degree (or equivalent
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equivalent) award
degree) using the format DD/MM/YYYY.
This should correspond to the date on the actual original PhD.
certificate. Scanned copy of the PhD. Certificate/Diploma must be
provided with the application.
Do you hold the degree
“Doctor of medicine”
(MD)?
Do you request an
extension of the
eligibility window?
[Yes/No]
If you hold the MD (as equivalent to the PhD.), please attach the
additional documentation required as an annex to your application and
enter the date of the PhD. equivalent award.
In case you wish to request an extension to your eligibility window.
Please enter the reasons for the extension of the eligibility window
reasons. Please attach all necessary supporting documents as annexes
to your application.
Part A2: Host Organisation Information
Name of the host
organisation
Department name
Family name of the
authorized
representative
First name of the
authorized
representative
Titles of the authorized
representative
Position of the
authorized
representative
Family name of the
Scientist in Charge
First name of the
Scientist in Charge
Titles of the Scientist in
Charge
Official name of the host organisation.
Name of the department where the applicant plans to perform his/her
research.
Last name as given in the Passport or ID card.
First name.
Titles before name and after name (e. g. Prof., Assoc. Prof., Dr., PhD.)
e. g. Director of the Host Organisation
Last name as given in the Passport or ID card.
Scientist in Charge is a person from the department of the host
organisations who provides a scientific guidance to the fellow.
First name.
Titles before name and after name (e. g. Prof., Assoc. Prof., Dr., PhD.)
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Form A3: Budget
Financial Information [Euro] – whole duration of the project
This financial data summarises the total requested financial resources.
Programme SASPRO covers only direct or indirect eligible costs.
Direct eligible costs for fellow:
Living allowance
Travel/mobility allowance
Research cost
Indirect eligible costs for host organisation:
Overheads
A - Living
allowance
BTravel/mobility
allowance
C - Research
costs
D = A+B+C
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Requested living
allowance. Possible
amount depends on the
research experiences of
the applicant.
In whole Euros.
Requested
travel/mobility
allowance. Possible
amount depends on the
family obligations of the
applicant and on the age
of the applicant’s
children.
In whole Euros.
Requested financial
resources for the
research. Possible
amount depends on the
type of the research
proposed by the
applicant.
In whole Euros.
Sum of the Living
allowance,
Travel/mobility
allowance and Research
costs.
In whole Euros.
Requested living
allowance. Possible
amount depends on the
research experiences of
the applicant.
In whole Euros.
Requested
travel/mobility
allowance. Possible
amount depends on the
family obligations of the
applicant and on the age
of the applicant’s
children.
In whole Euros.
Requested financial
resources for the
research. Possible
amount depends on the
type of the research
proposed by the
applicant.
In whole Euros.
Sum of the Living
allowance,
Travel/mobility
allowance and Research
costs.
In whole Euros.
Requested living
allowance. Possible
amount depends on the
research experiences of
the applicant.
In whole Euros.
Requested
travel/mobility
allowance. Possible
amount depends on the
family obligations of the
applicant and on the age
of the applicant’s
children.
In whole Euros.
Requested financial
resources for the
research. Possible
amount depends on the
type of the research
proposed by the
applicant.
In whole Euros.
Sum of the Living
allowance,
Travel/mobility
allowance and Research
costs.
In whole Euros.
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E - Overheads
D+E
Requested overheads.
Maximum 8,5% of the D.
In whole Euros.
Sum of the D+E.
Requested overheads.
Maximum 8,5% of the D.
In whole Euros.
Sum of the D+E.
Requested overheads.
Maximum 8,5% of the D.
In whole Euros.
Sum of the D+E.
Instructions for the completing “Part B – Curriculum Vitae” of the application
The following parameters must be respected for the layout:
Page
format
Font type
Font size
Line spacing
Spacing
before/after
A4
Arial
At least 10
Single
0 pt
Margins
2 cm side
1,5 cm top/bottom
Please make sure that you do not go over the page limits. Excess pages will not be taken into
account!
1. Academic background: University degree(s); Master and/or postgraduate diploma degree(s); PhD
degree(s);
2. Technical, professional, commercial or relevant training for the research project;
3. Work experience: current/last professional position; previous professional positions;
4. Membership in professional bodies/professional registration;
5. Scholarships and prizes;
6. Track record of grants and funding;
7. List of publications (In format: Authors, Title, Year of publication, Source, Volume, Pages (in case of
journal publications – impact factor of the journal; in case of book or chapter - ISBN; it is possible to
add number of citation for individual publications or another characteristic which help to assess
quality and impact of the publication);
8. Academic supervision;
9. Teaching activities;
10. Short periods abroad in the last 5 years (For periods longer than 7 months, please indicate them
in the Section “Work experience” of the Curriculum Vitae.);
11. Participation in congresses/conferences (The 5 most relevant in the last 3 years);
12. Technology transfer activities in the last 5 years (max. 0,5 page);
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Specify your contributions regarding: i) Results of technology transfer activities; ii) Introduction of
product improvements on the market or processes in progress; iii) Participation in generation of spinoff companies and/or start-up of new techniques or procedures; and iv) other relevant aspects.
If involved in the invention of a patent and/or utility model, please specify: i) inventors; ii) title of the
invention; iii) application form number; and iv) date.
13. Outreach activities in the last 5 years (max. 0,5 page);
Specify activity performed, indicating target audience and message, channels and tools used.
14. Description of activities that reflect initiative, independent thinking, project management skills,
leadership, etc. (max. 0,5 page).
Instructions for the completing “Part C – Research project” of the application
The following parameters must be respected for the layout:
Page
format
Font type
Font size
Line spacing
Spacing
before/after
A4
Arial
At least 10
Single
0 pt
Margins
2 cm side
1,5 cm top/bottom
Please make sure that you do not go over the page limits. Excess pages will not be taken into
account!
SECTION 1 –STATE-OF-THE-ART (MAXIMUM 2 PAGES)
a) Give a clear description of the state-of-the-art of the research area supported by the relevant
literature.
SECTION 2 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION (MAXIMUM 2 PAGES)
a) Provide a clear and specific description of the project objectives against the background of the
state-of the-art and the results hoped for.
b) Explain the scientific and technical contributions that the project is expected to make to advance
the state-of-the-art within the research area covered by the project.
SECTION 3 – METHODOLOGY (MAXIMUM 1 PAGE)
a) The methodology should be presented as clearly as possible. For each objective explain the
methodological approach that will be employed in the project and justify it in relation to the project
objectives. When any novel methods or techniques are proposed, explain their advantages and
disadvantages.
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SECTION 4 – WORK PLAN (MAXIMUM 3 PAGES)
a) Provide overall objectives of the proposed project and a work plan structured in 12-month periods.
Realistic objectives and deliverables related to each period (quantified outcomes of the project such
as conference/workshop attendance, courses and/or seminars presentation, anticipated publications,
training in specific new areas, funding applications planned, anticipated networking opportunities,
other professional training such as course work, teaching activity) must be clearly stated.
b) Please include a Gantt chart/Chronogram.
c) Please provide a contingency plan.
First year of fellowship (from month 1 till month 12 of the project)
Description of activities:
Objectives for this period:
Deliverables:
Second year of fellowship (from month 13 till month X of the project) – delete if the proposed length
is up to 12 months. Please specify the number of the X (Note that projects must last at least 12
months and a maximum of 36).
Description of activities:
Objectives for this period:
Deliverables:
Third year of fellowship (from month 25 till month X of the project) – delete if the proposed length is
up to 24 months. Please specify the number of the X (Note that projects must last at least 12 months
and a maximum of 36).
Description of activities:
Objectives for this period:
Deliverables:
SECTION 5 – APPLICANT AND THE BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT (MAXIMUM 2 PAGES)
a) Write a short description of a maximum of three of your major accomplishments in the last 5 years,
mentioning the purpose; results; skills acquired; and derived applications.
b) Show that your skills and experience are suitable for the proposed project and outline the benefit
that will be gained from undertaking the project in the chosen host organisation.
c) What is the European added value of the implementation of your project?
NOTE: the Part B of the application – Curriculum Vitae will serve for better assessment of the quality
of the applicant
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SECTION 6 – HOST ORGANISATION (MAXIMUM 2 PAGES)
a) Describe the scientific quality of the host organisation (achieved results and outputs, most
important publications, patents, etc.)
b) Write a short description how is the proposed project relevant to the international scientific
collaboration
c) What are the most important projects implemented in the host institution, especially in the
selected department (titles, funding resources, duration of the projects, etc.)
d) Describe how the implementation of the project fits to its short, medium or long term scientific
objectives and priorities
e) Describe how the applicant will be supported and which resources will be attributed to the project.
Describe the quality of the infrastructure and personal resources. Describe the soft-skill training which
will be provided to the applicant by the host organisation.
SECTION 7 – TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE AND ESTIMATED IMPACT (MAXIMUM 1 PAGE)
a) Describe the predicted impact of the training on future scientific career of the researcher (fellow)
b) Describe the predicted impact of the host organisation (new methods, improvement of scientific
work, etc.)
c) Describe the transfer of the expected results in the short, medium or long term, benefits derived
from the increase of knowledge and technology.
d) Describe the dissemination plan of the results.
SECTION 8 – ETHICAL ISSUES
In particular, you should explain the benefit and burden of the experiments and the effects these may
have on the research subject. Applicants should take time to consider the benefit/burden balance of
each part of the project; consider the impact of the research, not only in terms of scientific
advancement, but also in terms of human dignity and social and cultural impact; consider elements
such as the ethics and social impact of the research and whether there is a balance between the
objectives and the means. The following special issues should be taken into account (for detailed
information about ethical issues see Annex 3 of this Guide):
­
Informed consent
­
Privacy and data protection
­
Human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells
­
Use of human biological samples and data
­
Research on animals
­
Research in developing countries
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­
Dual use
If relevant, identify the countries where research will be undertaken and which ethical committees
and regulatory organisations will need to be approached during the life of the project.
If your project does include any of the above mentioned issues we strongly recommend you read more
information on this issue on the CORDIS (European Commission) special web page on ethical issues http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ethics_en.html.
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Part D - Letter of Commitment of the Host Organisation
[Address of the Host Organisation]
Department of the Research and Development
Office of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
Stefanikova 49
814 38 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic
To whom it may concern:
[Full name of host organisation], the “Host Organisation”, confirms that the proposed research
project [insert title and acronym] under the mobility fellowship scheme [please select one:
incoming/reintegration] for the duration of [number of months] is feasible to be developed at this
organisation.
The Host Organisation will ensure that the work will be performed under the scientific guidance of
[name and surname of the scientist in charge], the “Scientist in Charge”. The Host Organisation
hereby confirms that the Scientist in Charge has been involved in the development of the proposed
research project and is entirely aware of the scientific content of the proposed research project.
[Full name of the host organisation] guarantees that the applicant, [name and surname of the project
applicant], will be employed on a full-time basis for the entire duration of [his/her] the project.
[Full name of the host organisation] will provide the necessary administrative support, as well as
adequate laboratory space and infrastructure required for the successful completion of the project,
including use of existing equipment within the organisation, shared facilities and expertise as
required for the successful completion of the project.
[Full name of the host organisation] is prepared to support the project under the circumstances set
out in the above mentioned project proposal, including the financial administration and reporting
according to the Grant Agreement.
[Full name of the host organisation] will notify all conflicts of interest relating to parties involved in or
associated with this proposal which may arise after the submission of the aforementioned project
proposal. All details provided in the project proposal and in any supporting documentation are true
and complete and no information is false or misleading.
In……………………….., on……………………………………………
Yours sincerely,
……………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………….
Titles, name, surname of the Authorized
Representative
Titles, name, surname of the Scientist in
Charge
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Part E – Data protection and declaration of the information correctness
Your decision to submit an application via the online system gives the coordinating institution –
Office of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Department of Research and Development, the right,
under the Act No. 122/2013 Coll. on Protection of Personal Data and on Changing and Amending of
other acts, to collect and process the information you have given, including data of a sensitive
nature.
This processing of information and data will be necessary for evaluation and selection of the
applications and for the potential negotiation of the Grant Agreement.
You also confirm that the information and details provided, and other information relating to your
formal application for a fellowship, are correct. You understand that any false information or
misrepresentation would result in your application being disqualified or, if appointed, could lead to
your dismissal without notice.
You also agree that it may be necessary to disclose personal and sensitive data between Office of the
Slovak Academy of Sciences, Department of Research and Development and your chosen Host
Organisation during the recruitment and selection process, and during the employment, only where
it is necessary to do so, and where such disclosure does not contravene legislation.
Name of the Applicant:
Date: DD/MM/YYYY
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4 EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Evaluation of application is two-step process. In the first step fulfilment of eligibility criteria and
compliance with technical and formal requirements is assessed. Applicants can be asked for
corrections of some minor mistakes or completion missing information (redress).
Applications that pass successfully first step of evaluation are remotely assessed by the independent
experts in the second step of evaluation.
Each proposal will be assessed by three independent experts against the evaluation criteria given in
Annex III of this GfA. Evaluation scores will be given for each of the four criteria (Researcher, Project,
Host Organisation, Transfer of Knowledge and Estimated Impact), and not for the subcriteria. The
subcriteria are issues that the experts should consider in the assessment of the relevant criterion.
Threshold for each criterion will be set at 70%.
Each criterion will be scored out of 5. Scores will be given with a resolution of one decimal place. The
scores indicate the following with respect to the criterion under the examination:
0
The proposal fails to address the criterion under examination or cannot be judged due to missing or
incomplete information.
1
Poor. The criterion is addressed in inadequate manner or there are serious inherent weaknesses.
2
Fair. While the proposal broadly addresses the criterion, they are significant weaknesses.
3
Good. The proposal addresses the criterion well, although improvements will be necessary.
4
Very good. The proposal addresses the criterion very well, although certain improvements are still
possible.
5
Excellent. The proposal successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the criterion in question. Any
shortcomings are minor.
All obtained evaluation protocols are discussed by the evaluation committees and selected
applicants are invited for interview.
Based on the evaluation protocols, discussions and interviews the ranking list of applications and
recommendation for funding is prepared. Presidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences approves the
ranking list and funding. Decisions of the SAS Presidium are final.
More detailed information on evaluation process and selection of applications can be found in the
Statute of the Programme SASPRO.
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5 NEGOTIATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
After the completion of the evaluation, the results will be finalized and all applicants and authorized
representatives of host organisations will receive information on the results of the evaluation,
including the Evaluation Summary Protocol giving the opinion of the evaluators on their proposal.
Successful applicants will be invited to negotiation of the Grant Agreement (referred further as GA).
Unsuccessful applicants will be informed why their proposal cannot be funded. Due to budgetary
constraints, some applications will be placed on a reserve list. In their case, negotiations will begin
only if funds become available.
Negotiations between the applicants and SAS aim to conclude the Grant Agreement which provides
for funding of the proposed project. It covers both the scientific/technological and the administrative
and financial aspects of the project.
The signature of the employment contract and the start of the project will normally take place after
the Grant Agreement enters into force, i.e. after its signature by both sides, and no later than 6
months after the signature.
Simultaneously, SAS and host organisation will sign an agreement where rights and responsibilities
and other conditions will be stated.
Title of fellowship award
As Programme SASPRO is recognized and co-funded by Marie Curie Actions, successful applicants to
this scheme can enjoy the title of “Marie Curie Fellow”.
Key aspects of the host-researcher contract
Researchers will be appointed under an employment contract (for more information see Part of the
GfA – General Information about the Programme SASPRO). The type of working position will be
based on the fellow´s previous research experience and is fully upon the agreement between the
fellow and the host organisation. The contract between the host organisation and the researcher
shall determine, in accordance with the GA, the conditions for implementing the research activities
and the respective rights and obligations of the researcher and the host. It must indicate the
amounts that he or she is entitled to receive, the conditions of implementation of the project, the
law applicable, intellectual property rights arrangements and social security coverage among other
issues.
Fellowship will be implemented in the Slovak Republic. Short visiting stays in other countries are
allowed but they cannot exceed 15% of the duration of the fellowship.
Project interruption and suspension
SAS must be informed immediately of any interruptions of fellows’ stays and appropriate
justifications must be provided. Split stays foreseen in the GA and integrated in the work plan are
deemed approved by SAS. Project suspension rules are covered by the agreement between SAS and
host organisation.
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Reporting
Fellow in cooperation with the host organisation is obliged to provide interim report each 12 months
of the fellowship. Interim reports are discussed by the evaluation committees.
In the last month of the fellowship, fellow submits final report. This submission includes personal
presentation about the implementation of the project and achieved results.
Detailed information on evaluation and negotiation can be found in the Statute of the Programme
SASPRO.
6 ETHICAL ISSUES
The applicant as well as the Host organisation are bounded by the European and Slovak legislation,
and by international and national standards of research ethics, e. g. Declaration of Helsinki.
The objective of the ethics review is to ensure that the research contradictory to fundamental ethical
principles is not funded. All applications retained for funding, regardless of the applicant having
identified any ethical issues, will be reviewed by the peer review evaluation. The applications
identified as having ethical issues by the applicant or during the evaluation process will undergo an
ethics review. Applicants need to be aware that no grant agreement can be signed prior to a
satisfactory conclusion of the ethics review.
Proposals raising specific ethical issues such as research intervention on human beings, research on
human embryos and human embryonic stem cells and non-human primates are automatically
submitted to a more in-depth ethics review.
!
The following fields of research will not be funded under the SASPRO Programme:
-
research activity aiming at human cloning for reproductive purposes
-
research activity intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings which could
make such changes heritable (research relating to cancer treatment of the gonads can be
financed)
-
research activities intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of research
or for the
-
purpose of embryonic stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic cell nuclear
transfer
Ethical Issues Table and description of ethical issues in the research proposal
The Ethical Issues Table (see Annex II) has to be completed even if there are no ethical issues (simply
confirming that none of the ethical issues apply to the proposal). If the answer to any of the
questions of the Ethical Issues Table is ‘YES’, the applicant must provide a brief description of the
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ethical issues involved and how it will be dealt with appropriately. In particular, it should outline the
benefit and burden of such research, the effects it may have and how the ethical issues will be
managed.
The applicant is encouraged to include copies of any existing authorization for the proposed work
(these copies do not count towards the page limit).
The following special issues, among others, should be taken into account:
INFORMED CONSENT:
When describing issues relating to informed consent, it will be necessary to demonstrate an
appropriate level of ethical sensitivity and to consider issues of insurance, incidental findings and the
consequences of withdrawing from the study.
Informed consent is needed when children, patients or healthy volunteers, human genetic material,
human biological samples and human data collection are involved.
Informed consent must include:
-
a confirming that this is a research project;
-
the purpose of the research, the duration, procedures to be used and identification of any
experimental procedure;
-
a description of the foreseen risks and benefits to be included;
-
a statement describing the extent to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject
will be maintained;
-
a disclosure of any alternative procedures that might be beneficial;
-
for research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether there are any
treatments or compensation if injury occurs and if so what they consist of or where further
information can be obtained;
-
identification of the contact person for answers to questions about the research and
research subject’s rights, and whom to contact in the event of injury to the subject;
-
a statement that participation is voluntary, withdrawal from the research can be undertaken
at any time without loss of benefits which the subject is otherwise entitled to.
DATA PROTECTION ISSUES:
Avoid the unnecessary collection and use of personal data. Identify the source of the data, describing
whether it is collected as part of the research or if previously collected data is being used. Consider
issues of informed consent for any data being used. Describe how personal identification data is
protected.
Privacy problems exist wherever uniquely identifiable data relating to a person is collected or stored,
in digital form or otherwise. Improper disclosure control can be the root cause for privacy issues.
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Examples of data which may be affected by privacy issues:
-
health information;
-
financial and genetic information;
-
criminal justice;
-
location information;
-
data privacy/sharing data while protecting identifiable information.
How to address Data protection and Privacy?
-
describe the procedures for informed consent confidentiality;
-
informed consent for duration and limited purposes;
-
encode or make anonymous banked biomaterial, security for storage and handling and make
sure it is lawfully processed;
-
check for accuracy, and make security check for unprotected data transferred abroad.
Use of animals: Where animals are used in research the application of the 3Rs (Replace, Reduce,
Refine) must be convincingly addressed. The number of animals used should be specified. Describe
what happens to the animals after the research experiments.
Definition of the 3Rs:
-
Reduction refers to methods that enable researchers to obtain comparable levels of
information from fewer animals, or to obtain more information from the same number of
animals.
-
Replacement refers to the preferred use of non-animal methods over animal methods
whenever it is possible to achieve the same scientific aim.
-
Refinement refers to methods that alleviate or minimize potential pain, suffering or distress,
and enhance animal welfare for the animals still used.
HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS:
In this case, applicant, as well as, where appropriate, the Host organisation should demonstrate that
the project fulfils important research aims to advance scientific knowledge in basic research or to
increase medical knowledge for the development of diagnostic, preventive or therapeutic methods
to be applied to humans. The necessity to use hESCs in order to achieve the scientific objectives set
forth in the proposal must be declared. In particular, applicants must document that appropriate
validated alternatives (in particular, stem cells from other sources or origins) are not suitable and/or
available to achieve the expected goals of the proposal. This latter provision does not apply to
research comparing hESCs with other human stem cells. The applicant as well as the Host
organisation should take into account the legislation, regulations, ethical rules and/or codes of
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conduct. Currently, Slovak legislation does not permit using the embryonic stem cells in the
biomedical research.
RESEARCH INVOLVING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:
In this case, the categories of issues requiring special attention include:
­
a disproportionately heavy burden of diseases (particularly infectious diseases); the breadth
and depth of poverty; and high levels of illiteracy;
­
wide disparities in health systems and in access to health care, and imbalance between the
often ample resources available for research and the meager resources available for even
basic health care;
­
inadequate scientific and ethics infrastructures for the compulsory local reviewing process;
­
the extent of disempowerment of the poor in their personal and communal lives;
­
knowledge of the ways in which people of other cultures traditionally view themselves within
their communities;
­
the need to understand what it means to be ill in contexts very different from those known
to researchers and what can be expected from those one consults for help under such
circumstances.
DUAL USE:
Dual use is a term often used in politics and diplomacy to refer to technology which can be used for
both peaceful and military aims, usually with regard to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Generally, dual use can also refer to any technology which can satisfy more than one goal at any
given time.
Ethical issues of dual use might arise in cases where:
­
classified information, materials or techniques are used in research;
­
dangerous or restricted materials e.g. explosives are used in research;
­
the specific results of the research could present a danger to participants, or to society as a
whole, if they were improperly disseminated.
Regarding implications for the use of and misuse of the research and products, the following
measures and strategies should be applied:
­
the Applicant should show awareness of potential risks to participants and society as a whole
from inappropriate dissemination of their results;
­
appropriate measures to deal with dangerous or restricted materials should be detailed,
where applicable;
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­
an appropriate strategy to deal with issues of informed consent and risk management for
participants and for society where classified information, materials or techniques are
concerned should be demonstrated;
­
an advisory board should be included in the project, which should identify risks to
participants from particular research activities and devise a strategy for minimizing and
dealing with these risks;
­
the dissemination and communication strategy of the study results to a wider audience
should be controlled.
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ANNEX I
List of the Scientific Organisations of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (eligible host organisations)
Division I - Physical, Space,
Earth and Engineering
Sciences
Division II – Life, Chemical,
Medical and Environmental
Sciences
Division III – Social
Sciences, Humanities, Arts
and Culture
Earth and Space Sciences
Medical Sciences
Historical Sciences
Astronomical Institute
Cancer Research Institute
Institute of Archaeology
Geological Institute
Institute for Heart Research
Institute of Ethnology
Geophysical Institute
Institute of Experimental
Endocrinology
Institute of History
Institute of Geography
Institute of Social Sciences
Institute of Hydrology
Institute of Experimental
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Mathematical and Physical
Sciences
Institute of Molecular
Physiology and Genetics
Institute of Experimental
Physics
Institute of Neurobiology
Institute for Research in Social
Communication
Institute of Neuroimmunology
Institute for Sociology
Institute of Physics
Institute of Normal and
Pathological Physiology
Institute of Economic Research
Mathematical Institute
Institute of Virology
Engineering Sciences
Institute of Construction and
Architecture
Institute of Electrical
Engineering
Biological and Chemical
Sciences
Institute of Geotechnics
Institute of Informatics
Institute of Molecular Biology
Institute of Materials and
Machine Mechanics
Institute of Zoology
Institute of Measurement
Science
Institute of Experimental
Psychology
Institute of Philosophy
Institute of Political Sciences
Institute of State and Law
Institute of Chemistry
Institute of Inorganic
Chemistry
Institute of Materials Research
Humanities and Social
Sciences
Polymer Institute
Agricultural and Veterinary
Sciences
Institute of Animal
Biochemistry and Genetics
Institute of Animal Physiology
Institute of Botany
Institute of Forest Ecology
The Institute for Forecasting
Arts and Culture
Institute of Art History
Institute of Musicology
Institute of Oriental Studies
Institute of Slovak Literature
Institute of World Literature
Institute of Theatre and Film
Research
Jan Stanislav Institute of
Slavistics
Ludovit Stur Institute of
Linguistics
Institute of Landscape Ecology
Institute of Parasitology
Institute of Plant Genetics and
Biotechnology
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ANNEX II
Ethics Issues Table
(If some kind of below mentioned research is involved in your research project, please indicate it by
[x] and specify the page number where it is mentioned)
Research on Human Embryo/Foetus
Yes
Page
Yes
Page
Yes
Page
Yes
Page
Does the proposed research involve human Embryo?
Does the proposed research involve human Foetal Tissues/Cells?
Does the proposed research involve human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs)?
Does the proposed research on human Embryonic Stem Cells involve cells in culture?
Does the proposed research on Human Embryonic Stem Cells involve the derivation
of cells from Embryos?
I CONFIRM THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE ISSUES APPLY TO MY PROPOSAL
Research on Humans
Does the proposed research involve children?
Does the proposed research involve patients?
Does the proposed research involve persons not able to give consent?
Does the proposed research involve adult healthy volunteers?
Does the proposed research involve Human genetic material?
Does the proposed research involve Human biological samples?
Does the proposed research involve Human data collection?
I CONFIRM THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE ISSUES APPLY TO MY PROPOSAL
Privacy
Does the proposed research involve processing of genetic information or personal
data (e. g. health, sexual lifestyle, ethnicity, political opinion, religious or
philosophical conviction)?
Does the proposed research involve tracking the location or observation of people?
I CONFIRM THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE ISSUES APPLY TO MY PROPOSAL
Research on Animals
Does the proposed research involve research on animals?
Are those animals transgenic small animals?
Are those animals transgenic farm animals?
Are those animals non-human primates?
Are those animals cloned farm animals?
I CONFIRM THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE ISSUES APPLY TO MY PROPOSAL
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Research Involving non-EU Countries (ICPC Countries)
Yes
Page
Yes
Page
Is the proposed research (or parts of it) going to take place in one or more of the ICPC
Countries?
Is any material used in the research (e.g. personal data, animal and/or human tissue
samples, genetic material, live animals, etc) :
a) Collected and processed in any of the ICPC countries?
b) Exported to any other country (including ICPC and EU Member States)?
I CONFIRM THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE ISSUES APPLY TO MY PROPOSAL
Dual Use
Research having direct military use
Research having the potential for terrorist abuse
I CONFIRM THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE ISSUES APPLY TO MY PROPOSAL
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ANNEX III
Evaluation criteria and their weighting
Criterion
Applicant
Project
Host organisation
Weighting
(30%)
(25%)
(25%)
Research experiences
Scientific quality and
originality
Scientific outputs –
publication, patents,
citations, etc.
Interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary
aspects
Teaching and other
skills and experiences
Appropriateness and
adequacy of
methodology
Leadership qualities
Timeliness of project
Expected outputs
(publications,
products, patents,
etc.)
Scientific quality of
host institution
(achieved results
and outputs;
publications,
citations, patents,
etc.)
Relevance of the
project to
international
scientific
collaboration
Projects
implemented in the
host institution
(number, funding
resources, duration)
Implementation of
the project in the
host institution
Quality of
infrastructure and
personal resources
Transfer of
knowledge and
estimated impact
(20%)
Predicted impact of
training on future
scientific career of
researcher
Predicted impact on
host institution (new
methods,
improvement of
scientific work, new
research fields, etc.)
Possible transfer of
achieved results into
the practice
(cooperation with
industry, business
sector, etc.)
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