BILATERAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME - Level II (PCB-II) CALL 2014: MINCyT - CONICET - CNRS IMPLEMENTATION

Transcription

1 BILATERAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME - Level II (PCB-II) CALL 2014: MINCyT - CONICET - CNRS IMPLEMENTATION The Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation (MINCyT), the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) call for the submission of applications for funding of indoor projects to be carried out in the Argentine- French Centre of Engineering Sciences (CAFCI). 1. About CAFCI CAFCI is a project of an international joint research unit of France and Argentina located at the Scientific Pole in Buenos Aires. The Centre carries out interdisciplinary research using physical modelling, numerical simulation as well as experimentation. A call for proposals will be launched in order to define the scientific projects and identify the scientists to be involved. Within CAFCI three (3) indoor projects will be carried out in the field of Engineering Sciences, with the following aims: - the understanding of natural processes as possibly subjected to human intervention, - the optimisation of industrial processes, - the support of research oriented towards the development and optimisation of industrial products. The projects have to combine physical and numerical modelling and experimental techniques.

2 Furthermore, once selected, the project leaders will have to set up the full scientific project of CAFCI. On the French side, the proposal will be reviewed by the National Committee for Scientific Research. This final evaluation will be a prerequisite to the creation of CAFCI. The training in research for engineers will be carried out with a goal of having both Argentinian and French engineering students in the programme. 2. Features: This call will address requests for specific topics : - Fluids mechanics with topics like fluid structure interaction, flow control both at low and high Reynolds number, complex flows in fractured porous or confined media, microfluidics; - Multiscale structural mechanics with topics such as microarchitectured structures, nonlinear dynamic of engineering structures, multiscale modelling of materials facing fracture, damage or strain localisation; - Energy issues such as concentrated solar energy for high temperature applications (including production of electricity, biomass conversion or synthesis of fuels), high efficiency photovoltaic cells, modelling and design of wind farms, smart grids; - Inverse problems for data assimilation, model and material identification and characterisation, or operation of distributed sensor systems. Project duration will be of three years with a possible two-year extension.

3 3. Requirements for the Argentinian side: Project Leader: The project leader must be a member of the science and technology research career of CONICET. He will be assisted by a French scientist. The project leader must have either a national (CONICET or ANPCyT) or international funded project. Researchers must be part of only one proposal. Participants: The project team must include at least two staff researchers from CONICET and at least one from CNRS associated laboratories and postdoctoral and or doctoral fellows from both countries. The beneficiaries of the exchanges will be young researchers and doctoral and postdoctoral fellows. Scientific Project The project should include a detailed work plan to be carried out during the three years of implementation. The plan should point out the activities to be undertaken with the counterpart, detailing the cooperation added value to the current research. The project should point out the activities planned for Human Resources training. Facilities: The research will be mainly carried out at CAFCI. The project must ensure a continuous presence of Argentine and French staff researchers (besides of Posdoctoral and doctoral students) at CAFCI.

4 The group will have access to office space and computing facilities at CAFCI. Larger computer facilities will be available both in France and in Argentina. The facilities for experimental studies will be located in partner research centres in Argentina or France. 4. Funding MINCyT will fund annually the Argentinian participants with up to 3 airline return tickets to France (1 for each year of the project) and up to 3 (1-3 months) stays in France on a per diem basis and health insurance. CONICET will fund annually each project with up to euros. If the project includes more than two researchers CONICET will add euros for each additional researcher. A properly justified budget must be submitted, taking into account the following top limits: - Consumables and minor equipment (maximum 70% of funding); - Organization of workshops (maximum 40% of funding); - Contracts of third party services (maximum 40% of funding); The contribution is to support the work of the research groups at CAFCI. In the case that the research group is located more than 100 km away from the Scientific Pole, CONICET will fund the travel and living expenses of researchers and scholars in Buenos Aires. The final amount to be granted will follow the recommendation of the Scientific Committee, and the parties. CNRS:

5 will fund salaries plus airline return tickets to Argentina and the stipends in Argentina for the CNRS scientists and extra stipends for the permanent staff in Argentina. 5. Assessment of applications: Applications will be evaluated by a Joint Committee composed of two reviewers for the French side and three for the Argentinian side per each topic. The projects will be ranked according to their scientific quality, originality and innovative contribution. The proposed residence time of researchers and Fellowship holders at CAFCI will also be considered. The evaluation of the committee will not be binding. The parties will consider strategic importance as an additional value. The final decision will be made in agreement by MINCyT, CONICET and CNRS. At the end of the three years, the research leader must submit a final report in English. The extension for an additional two-year period will follow the same procedures described above. 6. Use of funds MINCyT will provide funding for travel allowances and airline tickets through the National Directorate of International Relations of MINCyT according to the current procedure.

6 It is worth stressing that the International Relations Directorate will provide the approved airline ticket, which must be issued by Aerolineas Argentinas S.A. as set out in Article 1 of the National Executive Decree No of In the event that the mentioned airline does not reach the approved destination, flights will be completed with companies associated with Aerolineas Argentinas. CONICET will provide funding through the Fund Managers or Delegates as appropriate and in accordance with the provisions of Resolution D. No. 3596/09. Funds should be managed and accounted for in accordance with the rules and time limits in force in the Institution. These funds will be used to defray the current expenses as detailed in section 5, in line with the provisions of the Scheme of the Funding and Accountability Manual, approved by Resolution D. No. 3596/09. CNRS will provide funds which will be managed and accounted for in accordance with the French regulations and practices. 6. Forms and applications: The submission Form should be sent by to convocatoriascoopint@sun1.conicet.gov.ar and to CNRS's Institute for Engineering and Systems Sciences (INSIS) olga.allard@cnrs-dir.fr Please remember to complete all fields and submit the signatures and corresponding attachments. It is not necessary to submit the CV since the SIGEVA database will be used. Those applicants who do not have their CV in the SIGEVA database shall attach it to the corresponding application. It is indeed necessary to submit a copy of the CV of the project head of the counterparty.

7 Moreover, applications must be submitted in cardboard folders with the name of the project head and of the counterpart s in the Reception Desk of CONICET, Rivadavia 1917, Ground Floor, Buenos Aires (PC 1033) or sent by mail on the dates indicated, to the above address. Or failing that, in the respective Scientific and Technological Centres (CCT) until the closing date of the call. Projects must be submitted in English. The scientific project submitted to MINCyT and CONICET should be of the same scientific content to that submitted to the counterpart institution. Submission schedule Call dates: Opening: May 2014,Closing: 30 June 2014 Assessment and selection: July / August /September 2014 Activities start-up: January 2015