Top-level Research Initiative on Climate, Energy and Environment

Transcription

1 Top-level Research Initiative on Climate, Energy and Environment Nordic Centre of Excellence Programme (NCoE) on Effect Studies and Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Memorandum

2 2 I. Background The Top-level Research Initiative (Toppforskningsinitiativet, TFI) is a Nordic contribution towards solving the global climate change challenges and intends to promote research and innovation within the region. The initiative is the largest joint Nordic research and innovation initiative to date. The focus will be on fields of climate and energy research of common interest to the Nordic countries, and where the region can contribute with international solutions. The Top-level Research Initiative will involve various Nordic organisations and national institutions, with a budget of DKK 400 million (about 450 million NOK) over five years. The Top-level Research Initiative consists of the following six sub-programmes: - Effect studies and adaptation to climate change - Interaction between climate change and the cryosphere - Nanotechnology and energy efficiency - Integration of large-scale wind power - Sustainable biofuels - Carbon capture and storage Within the framework of these six themes, the initiative will also include advanced climate modelling, social sciences and humanities and a focus on the Arctic area. For more information: The TFI sub-programme Effect studies and adaptation to climate change aims to improve knowledge about society s capacities for adaptation, and the risks and opportunities that the effects of climate change may bring the Nordic region. The Top-level Research Initiative intends to fund 3 4 Nordic Centres of Excellence (NCoE) within the Programme. The total budget of the call is 90 MNOK over 5 years. A detailed description of the thematic framework of the call is presented in Appendix 2. The call for applications was published 4 December II. Objectives of the Nordic Centres of Excellence Programme A Nordic Centre of Excellence (NCoE) Programme is initiated to increase the scientific quality, efficiency, competitiveness and visibility of Nordic research through enhanced collaboration between Nordic countries, and therewith create Nordic added value. A NCoE Programme is based on existing research groups in the Nordic countries, building up a new constellation of partners in the region. The Nordic countries host several outstanding scientists and research groups in many fields of research. Bringing together those excellent Nordic researchers and research groups in virtual or physical Centres will enhance their visibility and international competitiveness. This will make the Nordic region more attractive to top researchers and post docs from countries outside the region as well.

3 3 A NCoE Programme is a competitive and visible way to introduce the best of Nordic science to the European and international research arena. Experience in Nordic research cooperation can be a significant advantage when competing or collaborating with other research units in the European Research Area (ERA). The Nordic Centres of Excellence will qualify the participants, enhance their attractiveness as collaboration partners in international consortia and place them in an advantageous position for future European and international funding. The objectives of the Nordic Centre of Excellence Programme on Effect studies and Adaptation to Climate Change are; to promote research of excellent scientific quality to increase the visibility and attractiveness of Nordic research in a European and global context to ensure efficient and flexible use of the Nordic resources to support creative and efficient research and research training environments to create critical Nordic mass to increase the intra-nordic mobility of younger researchers in particular to stimulate cooperation between disciplines to facilitate long-term cooperation beyond the funding period III. Main features of the Nordic Centres of Excellence Programme The Nordic Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) are selected for a five-year period based on open competition. Each Centre should support the above described objectives of the Programme, in addition to having well-defined scientific objectives. The most important selection criterion is excellent scientific quality (in an international context) of the research of the proposed NCoE, and the potential to further develop it on the Nordic arena. Multidisciplinary approaches are encouraged. In addition to the research and management/operation plan and the scientific merits of the senior researchers of the NCoE, the research environment and researcher training activities are taken into consideration (for more details, see criteria in Appendix 1). A detailed description of the thematic framework of the call is presented in Appendix 2. The selection of the NCoEs is based on a thorough peer-review process carried out by non-nordic experts. Funding decisions are taken by the Programme Committee (see section IV). The secretariat functions of the Programme are provided by the TFI Secretariat. IV. Organisation of the Nordic Centres of Excellence Programme Programme Committee The Programme Committees (PCs) of the NCoE Programmes guarantee the high level quality of the NCoE Programme and supervise the execution of the Programme. When the NCoE Programme is announced, the PC appoints suitable non-nordic experts for the evaluation panel. The evaluation panel evaluates and rates the proposals, where after the PC takes the final decisions for funding. The PC is responsible for steering operations related to the NCoE Programme. It appoints a high level Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which reports to the PC. The

4 4 PC uses the midterm evaluation and the recommendations from SAB as a basis for its decision on further funding of the remaining period of the NCoEs. Scientific Advisory Board The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) consists of about 5 non-nordic experts in the scientific field of the NCoE Programme. The SAB is a joint advisory body for the NCoEs, supporting, advising and contributing to strengthen the scientific work of the Centres. The SAB proposes improvements in the activities of the Centres (new approaches, new methods etc.), in order to further strengthen their scientific excellence and international visibility. The SAB can also recommend changes in the research activities and plans as well as in the structure of the Centres. The SAB will have regular meetings with the NCoEs. At these meetings, the NCoEs will report their activities to the SAB and discuss progress and possible improvements. The NCoEs shall adhere to and take into account the instructions and advices provided by the SAB. The SAB does not have a decision-making mandate, but after each meeting (approximately once a year), SAB reports the recommendations to the PC. The SAB members, or when appropriate, external experts, perform the midterm evaluation. Programme Secretariat The secretarial functions of the NCoE Programme are executed by the TFI Secretariat. The functions comprise (i) handling of the daily administration of the programme, (ii) transferring the grants to the NCoEs, (iii) handling of reporting, (iv) assisting the SAB and the PC on various issues, and (v) preparing and administratively executing the Midterm Evaluation. V. Structure of Nordic Centre of Excellence A NCoE consists of existing research units representing at least three different Nordic countries. A Centre should promote Nordic science in an efficient way by increasing its visibility through strengthening intra-nordic contacts and staff mobility between the very best Nordic research units. Each research unit in the Centre should be of high or outstanding quality, and, as a whole, the Centre should aim for scientific excellence. The NCoE can either be a physical Centre (single-site) or a virtual Centre (multi-site). Physical / Single-site NCoE A physical or single site type NCoE is made up of one single institute situated at one location in one of the Nordic countries. The partners will be situated at one single location and will represent at least three Nordic countries. The infrastructure of a physical Centre should be highly qualified and relevant for the chosen theme in question, and also one that has a great potential to be developed further. Virtual / Multi-site NCoE A virtual (multi-site) Centre consists of research units situated in at least three different Nordic countries. A virtual Centre should exhibit elaborated, well-organised joint management and coordination. The virtual Centre may also include shared key infrastructures.

5 5 VI. Funding of the Nordic Centre of Excellence Programme The Top-level Research Initiative intends to fund 3 4 Nordic Centres of Excellence (NCoE) within the NCoE Programme on Effect studies and Adaptation to Climate Change. The total budget of the call is 90 MNOK over 5 years. The NCoE funding should provide strong incentives for Nordic cooperation and integration at research level, so-called glue money, but should not create a dependence on Nordic funding. A particular NCoE thus will have basic funding originating from national sources (including national budgetary funding of the host institutes, other public funding, or private funding) and possibly also international sources (e.g. EU). The NCoE funding will be supplementary and will be used for the activities with the specific aim of creating Nordic strength for research teams to adopt a leading role internationally. For the operation of the NCoEs thus defined, the programme support may be allocated to direct costs of the Nordic collaboration: Researcher and key staff training, including support for Nordic doctoral courses arranged by the NCoE Fellowships for visiting senior scientists Fellowships for post-docs and PhD students In specific cases, part-time salary for researchers (20-50% of full salary), not associated with mobility can be applied for Extra management and coordination costs within a Centre, including network meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. Salary costs for a co-ordinator may also be included under this point, but should be kept as moderate as possible Miscellaneous costs for activities providing added Nordic strength to the NCoE Fellowships include both, short-term and long-term (full) fellowships. Fellowships are meant to increase mobility and knowledge transfer between countries, and it is therefore assumed that a researcher moves to another country than the country of residence or of affiliation when receiving the fellowship grant. Fellowship costs can also include a resettlement grant intended to meet the additional costs of living abroad for the researcher and possibly the researcher s family. Research groups from non-nordic countries may participate in the consortium, but have to cover their project costs themselves. Fellowships for visiting scientists, postdocs and PhD students can be awarded to residents from both Nordic and other countries. If an NCoE uses its programme funding to recruit PhD students or post docs, open calls for applications shall be organised. The funding from the NCoE Programme is not granted to cover running costs of the research units. VII. The application, evaluation and selection procedure The application procedure is in two stages and based on an open call.. All research teams or units from universities and other research institutes (performing research in the field as defined in Appendix 2) are entitled to apply to the NCoE programme. Industry is encouraged to participate when relevant. The host institutions and research financing bodies in the host countries should be committed to support the NCoE. The applicants will be requested to provide official confirmation of the

6 6 willingness of the host institution to support the establishment of a Centre. Each senior researcher is allowed to be engaged in one proposal only. The Programme Committee appoints an international Expert Panel consisting of non- Nordic members representing the research field of the NCoE Programme. The expert panel carries out the scientific evaluation of the applications 1. If deemed necessary by the Expert Panel, hearings or interviews with some or all of the applicants will be performed as part of the evaluation process. The Expert Panel delivers the evaluation report, including the scientific rating of the proposals. The PC takes the final decision based on the evaluation. The TFI-secretariat conducts the contract negotiations with the NCoEs and their host organisations. The funding will be provided for years. The outcome of a midterm evaluation determines the continuation of funding for the last 2 years. VIII. Running and follow-up of the programme Each Centre will submit annual reports and a final report. The SAB and the Centres of the NCoE Programme meet once a year. A midterm evaluation will be performed after years in order to decide on the funding for the last 2 years. After the end of the programme period, the final report should be submitted to the TFI Secretariat. 1 Thorough guidelines regulating any conflicts of interest in the evaluation process ensure that all proposals are treated impartially and judged on their merits.

7 7 APPENDIX 1 Criteria for evaluation and selection of the Nordic Centres of Excellence in the NCoE Programme on Effect Studies and Adaptation to Climate Change The most important evaluation criteria are the scientific quality of the research plan, its relevance to the call topics and the international status of the senior researchers in the respective fields of research within the proposed NCoE, as well as the potential to further develop scientific excellence. The proposals will be evaluated on basis of: Research idea and plan the quality and feasibility of the research plan relevance of the research plan to some of the call topics scientific added value and originality, possibilities for major scientific breakthrough added value through Nordic collaboration and to Nordic society utilisation or implementation of the research results in society Scientific merits and output of the leader and the senior researchers quality and quantity of scientific output international status and scientific leadership of researchers in their own field of research Research environment critical mass appropriate to the field in question cooperation between the researchers of the different Nordic countries in the proposed NCoE premises, instrumentation, special equipment and other infrastructure activity, nature and volume of international cooperation mobility of the researchers interdisciplinary synergies Researcher training demonstrated skills in researcher training ratio of students and supervisors organized and committed cooperation in relation to researcher training creative and innovative ideas practical and adequate arrangements/plans including tutoring Management and operation of NCoEs leadership qualifications of coordinator and team leaders a plan for the management of the Centre a plan on how to create and maintain cohesion between research groups of the NCoE candidate

8 8 a plan on how synergetic benefits and added value through Nordic collaboration, may be achieved and utilised a plan for scientific and public dissemination a strategy how to accomplish long-term collaboration beyond the financing period of the Centre For general criteria applying to all activities within the Top-level Research Initiative, please see the General Guidelines for Applicants within the Top-level Research Initiative (Sub-programme I and II). * * * * * * * * * * * * *

9 9 APPENDIX 2 Thematic research field of NCoE Programme on Effect Studies and Adaptation to Climate Change: Climate change affects land and sea temperatures and alters precipitation quantity and patterns, resulting for example in the increase of global average sea level, risks of coastal erosion, drought, and an expected increase in the severity of weatherrelated natural disasters. Changing water levels, temperatures and flow will in turn affect food and water supply, health, industry and infrastructures as well as ecosystem integrity. Climate change has potential to considerably impact several economic sectors, such as energy supply (for example hydropower), agriculture, tourism, fishing and forest industry. Climate change will lead to significant economic and social impacts, with some regions, sectors and sections of the society likely to be more affected than others. Research on expected impacts on climate change will facilitate adaptation and may contribute to minimising costs and damages from these changes. It can also reveal opportunities that may arise from a change in climate. Policy-makers and the public need reliable information, and a key challenge is to further develop the scientific understanding of climate change, its impacts and the adaptation to these impacts. There is very little quantified information on adaptation costs and further work is needed to facilitate informed, cost-effective and proportionate adaptation. A NCoE within the NCoE-Programme is expected to cover topic areas of one or several of the following keywords: - Adaptation supported by effect studies - Adaptation to the consequences of climate change concerning land, coastal areas, or cities - Opportunities that climate change might open for the Nordic countries Effects of climate change can include impacts on nature, ecosystems, society and economy. The Programme is a combination of natural/technical science and social science/humanities, and interdisciplinary applications will be encouraged. Participants from industry, policy makers and societal actors should be included in the NCoE when relevant. Societal impact is important.