From: Research Support Services Directorate (RSSD), University of Malta
To: All University of Malta researchers
Re: Scientific cooperation agreement between the Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR) and the University of Malta (UM) – Programme 2018-2019
With reference to the scientific cooperation agreement signed between CNR and UM signed in February 2017, hereinafter mentioned as 'The Agreement', as managed by the International Relations Department at CNR and the Research Support Services Directorate at the UM, hereinafter referred to as 'the parties', this announcement commences the prescribed procedure for the selection of projects eligible for funding in accordance with Article 3 of the agreement.
The press release announcing the signature of the agreement may be found on Newspoint, University of Malta, whilst the signed agreement may be found on the CNR website.
1. Objective
Article 1 of the agreement specifies the aim to strengthen and nurture the collaboration between through joint research projects, seminars, workshops and other scientific meetings, the exchange of scientific documentation and other cooperative activities. The duration of projects shall be two years, with the first projects due to commence in January 2018. Joint scientific proposals may cover all research areas but priority will be given to cooperation in the areas of:
- environment
- metrology and quantum-enabled technology
- biotechnologies
- energy
- agro-food
- cultural heritage.
The approved projects shall be financed by both parties, as specified in the agreement. Each party shall finance its own part in accordance with its national legal and financial regulations.
2. Rules for participation
The Maltese side can be represented by University of Malta Resident Academic members of staff, from TR4 status upwards.
3. Submission of application
All joint research project applications must be presented via the Electronic Submission Service at intranet.cnr.it. The PDF version of this application must be submitted to rssd@um.edu.mt with the proposal attached as a PDF document, and the subject line 'CNR UM COOPERATION – [acronym of project].'
The application, in Italian or English, needs to contain all the required information, and must be accompanied by the Curricula of the Italian representative, the Maltese representative, the Italian research team, the Maltese research team, compiled in Italian or English, using the Europass format with a particular focus on the last 5 years. Each CV should be no longer than 4 pages. In case of CNR affiliates, a copy of the affiliation agreement is required.
Applications need to be received by the parties Friday 29 September 2017 12:00 CET. Late submissions will not be considered.
Further restrictions:
- Members of the Commission of Experts who shall be evaluating proposals are not eligible to apply
- Each representative must not submit more than one project under the same area
- Each representative may not submit more than two applications across indicated areas in 2017.
4. Evaluation and selection of projects
The parties will proceed with their independent evaluation of projects and shall select projects for funding. Following this, the evaluations shall be compared between the parties in order to identify those projects of common interest for funding in accordance with the agreement. The funded projects should fulfil the following criteria:
- Quality of the project (maximum 5 points)
a) Scientific relevance (concept, innovative character in respect of the state of technology and quality of objectives)
b) Methodology, work plan of activities
c) Impact of the project results and dissemination. - Quality of the research group (maximum 5 points)
a) Qualifications and competence; composition and competence of the research group;
b) Involvement of young researchers (max. 35 years, who have obtained a PhD or have a minimum of three years documented research experience post-graduation from a University or a public or private, national or international Research Institution)
c) Complimentarity in terms of content, methodology and infrastructure
d) Justification of the need for collaboration. - Appropriateness and justification of exchanges (number of exchanges, total quantity of days) (maximum 5 points)
- Added value and impact of the bilateral cooperation (maximum 5 points).
5. Project funding
The agreement stipulates funding, based upon availability of funds, for up to 4 projects between the institutions, with a maximum annual contribution per party of € 5,000 per project to be allocated to its respective research team.
Funding shall be allocated directly to the relevant institution in accordance with the laws, regulations and procedures in force. These shall be managed by the respective country representative, who shall manage the assigned funding providing an annual technical and financial report in a template to be provided at a later stage.
The eligible costs are as follows:
- Travel and subsistence expenses for research purposes only between Malta and Italy, for a duration of not less than 3 days
- Research expenses, up to a maximum of 35% of the travel and subsistence expenses already incurred (for example, if travel and subsistence expenses amount so far to € 3,000, the maximum allocation for research expenses is € 1,050).
6. Communication of evaluation results
The parties shall communicate the results to the successful applicants by email in the case of the UM side, and through the Intranet portal in the case of the CNR side. The communication shall consist of the evaluation results, the award letter and conditions of the grant, as well as funding rules and the technical and financial report templates.
A list of projects selected for funding shall be published on the websites of the parties.
7. Further information
Malta
University of Malta
Research Support Services
Ms Angie Mifsud
Tel: +356 2340 4983
Email: angie.mifsud@um.edu.mt
Italy
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Direzione Generale – Struttura di Particolare Rilievo “Relazioni Internazionali”
Dott.ssa Simona De Luca
Tel: +39 06 49932361
Email: simona.deluca@cnr.it