GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS

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2 UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN SPIRE Strategic Programme for International Research and Education GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS Key dates 2012 Application deadline: Friday 29 June 2012 Awards announced: August 2012 Funding dispensed: September

3 SPIRE Strategic Programme for International Research and Education Guidelines for Applicants Purpose The Strategic Programme for International Research and Education (SPIRE) aims to support the University of Bergen Internationalisation Strategy and raise the University s international profile. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications built around collaborative research and/or learning and teaching initiatives linking the University with its strategic international partners [see Appendix 1]. However, the program also encourages establishment of contact and collaboration with other partners, in particular from the BRICS-countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Multilateral projects that partner with more than one institution are particularly welcomed, as are applications that incorporate a research mobility component for young researchers and postgraduate students. Eligibility This call is open to individual academic members of staff or groups of academics from all faculties, departments and centres within the University of Bergen. Funding Categories SPIRE will incorporate three possible funding streams. Applicants must select one of the following funding streams: (1) SPIRE International Networks Grant. - Projects submitted for funding in this category will be based on the development of a new or recently started collaboration with partner universities in one of the University s major international network partners [see Appendix 1]. -- Maximum funding of NOK 100,000 per grant is available. - The funding should be considered seed money for initiation/development of new collaborations. (2) SPIRE Research Workshop and/or Contact Grant. - This funding is for University of Bergen researchers (minimum postdoctoral level) to: (a) host an international workshop or (b) by other means to establish contact with potential international partners. - The workshop must be of minimum two days and should result in a plan for future collaborative research. The inclusion of representatives from UiB s international networks and/ or representatives from the BRICS-countries is encouraged. - Maximum funding of NOK 50,000 per grant is available. (3) SPIRE Visiting Researcher Grant. - This grant provides funding to invite a visiting researcher from abroad to stay at the University of Bergen for a period of 1-3 months. Visiting researchers from all countries are eligible for grants. There is no restriction on countries and partnerships. - Visiting researchers must as a minimum be at postdoctoral level (PhD students are not eligible for grants). - Maximum funding of NOK 15,000 per month per grant is available. 2

4 Application Process For consideration in the 2012 SPIRE Round, the applicant must use the SPIRE Application Form when applying for a grant. The application must clearly identify the category of grant for which the applicant is applying. Applications must be endorsed by signature of the Head of Department. In signing the application, the Head is indicating the Department s support for the project. Submission of Applications Duly signed applications from the Department must be forwarded to the relevant Faculty for assessment and ranking. The Faculty must rank the applications received in each of the Funding Categories 2 and 3 (but not 1). The Faculty must forward the applications, duly assessed and ranked, to the Division of Research Management by the closing date Friday 29 June NOTE: Applications that are incomplete or received after the closing date Friday 29 June 2012 will not be considered for funding. Selection Process Applications will be considered by a University of Bergen selection committee comprising: Vice Rector for International Relations (Chair) Deputy Rector One administrative staff member from the Division of Research Management and the Division of Student Affairs respectively In addition to the Faculty ranking of the applications in Funding Categories 2 and 3, the selection committee will judge the applications by the following criteria: Quality of application/ proposed activities. Strategic importance and tangible benefit to internationalisation of the University and the academic unit. Potential for building long-term international relationships. Support from the Department. Reporting Recipients will be required to submit a final report, due by December 2013 or within three months of completion of the project (whichever comes first). The report should be short (max 2 pages) and include an outline of the outcomes and benefits of the project, and an indication of the project s sustainability. Recipients who fail to submit a final report may not receive funding in subsequent rounds. Allocation of funding 2012 SPIRE grants will be allocated in one instalment only, available from September The funds may be expended over a period up to 31July At the end of the period, unspent SPIRE grant allocations must be returned. As a rule, any unspent funds cannot be rolled forward beyond 31 July

5 Further information For further information, please contact: Bjørn Erik Andersen Senior Adviser International Department of Research Management Tel:

6 APPENDIX 1 List of major international network partners. University of Sydney University of Western Australia Nanjing University Zhejiang University Chinese University of Hong Kong University of Alberta University of Cape Town University of Auckland University of Bergen State University of Campinas Pennsylvania State University University of Washington, Seattle University of Wisconsin, Madison University of Rochester University of Bristol University of Leeds University of Sheffield University of Southampton University of York Note on the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) WUN provides opportunities for international collaboration with colleagues at strong research universities on all continents. Applicants are therefore encouraged to include international WUN members as project partners. Many WUN partners run similar programmes to the SPIRE and access to these grants by your collaborators should be encouraged. Please note that the WUN Research Development Fund (RDF) also provides seed money for novel WUN research projects. RDF call for proposals is announced in August each year. 5

7 European university networks Member institutions Member institutions Member institutions Note on the European university networks The University of Bergen is member of the Coimbra Group, the Compostela Group and the Utrecht Network since early 1990 s. The University s membership in these three European university networks is important for developing collaborative projects and programs run by the member universities, for sharing experiences and best practice, and for influencing on European educational policy. The networks offer unique opportunities for University of Bergen staff to partner with European colleagues and create consortium for collaborations which are competitive for funding from European programmes. 6

8 Nordic centres abroad Homepage Homepage Homepage Note on the Nordic centres abroad The University of Bergen is member of three Nordic centres, e.g. the Nordic Centre in Shanghai, China; the Nordic Centre in Delhi, India; and the Southern African-Nordic Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. The Nordic centres facilitate both cooperation between the Nordic member institutions and between the Nordic members and local partner institutions. In particular, collaborations on teaching and delivery of joint courses and programmes developed by the member institutions and offered to Nordic and local students, are important academic activities organised through the Nordic centres. 7