Call for Virtual Mobility Grants – GP2

FIT4NANO (COST Action 19140) announces the call for Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants in GP2.

Objectives of VM Grants

Virtual Mobility (VM) consists of collaboration in a virtual setting among researchers or innovators within the COST Action to exchange knowledge learn new techniques, disseminate the Action results, etc.

Conditions set in this call follow the COST Association guidelines described in ANNEX 2 of the Annotated Rules for Cost Actions (ARCA). In case of discrepancies, the ARCA shall be decisive.

The VM activities may include:

  • Support the harmonization and standardization of FIB models, methods, and procedures.
  • Implementation of research activities that do not necessarily require in-person presence (computational or modeling activities, data analysis of the FIT4NANO for specific report or activity, etc.)
  • Surveys, questionnaires, or preparation of protocols, virtual mentoring activities can build new skills, particularly for PhD candidates and ECIs researchers.
  • Content preparation and coordination of science communication activities, e.g.:
    • Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC).
    • Online workshops like ‘webinar series’ or ‘tv series’-like format.
  • A different virtual activity that serves the goals of FIT4NANO.

Who can apply?

Individual researchers and innovators from COST Member Countries and Near Neighbor Countries (NNC) who signed the Memorandum of Understanding of this Action. For details, see section 6.4 of the ARCA. The selection of successful grantees shall be based on contributions to the overall objectives of the Action, the implementation of the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy, and the approved strategy on virtual networking for the Action.

 

How to apply?

To file the VM Grant application, please go to: https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants. Click on “Apply for grant” and select “Virtual Mobility grant.”

 

The application should include the following information:

  • Start and End Date
  • Budget (max 1500 EUR)
  • The main objective of the Virtual Mobility Grant.
  • Working Plan: Description of the collaborative initiative to be implemented.
  • Plan for Participation: List of participants in the collaborative initiative (short description of their expertise and contribution).
  • Main expected outputs: results and contribution to the MoU objectives (either research coordination and/or capacity building objectives can be tackled) and delivery of the MoU objectives.

Please consult this guide for the details of the application process. There is no deadline for submitting the application. However, when submitting keep in mind the time it will take to review and process your documents. All VM grants must end before the end of GP2. We strive at reviewing your application in 6 weeks but cannot guarantee this.

 

Evaluation and Selection of Applicants

The VNS manager, the Grant Award Coordinator (GAC) and the Action Core Group, acting as awards committee on behalf of the Action Management Committee, will perform the evaluation of the applications.

Successful grantees will be selected based on contributions to the overall objectives of the Action, the approved strategy on the virtual networking for the Action, and the implementation of the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy.

Each Virtual Mobility Grant cannot exceed EUR 1 500. The MC shall define the exact amount of each grant, reflecting the scope and complexity of the task and activities. The grant does not necessarily cover all expenses related to undertaking the virtual mobility activity.

Reporting and Payment

The grantee submits the required reports in 30 calendar days from the completion of the Virtual Mobility Grant or at the latest 15 days after the end of the Grant Period 2 (15 November 2022), whichever date comes first.

For the report, the grantee uses the relevant template provided in e-COST. The report describes:

  • work developed
  • main outcomes and outputs
  • future follow-up collaboration (if any).

The Grant Holder shall pay the grant to the grantee after the MC has approved the grantee’s report.

You can download a pdf version of this call here.