Exchange Grants

From LipidomicsWiki

Applications for PhD and postdoc exchange visit grants within the LipidomicNet partnerships are welcomed. Essential issues are initiating or strengthening LipidomicNet collaborations by profiting from each others expertise (e.g. models, tools equipment). In addition, these grants are available to accomplish specific tasks of the Work Packages. Exchange Grant Form

Contents 1 LipidomicNet exchange grants 1.1 1. Objectives 1.2 1.3 2. Types of exchange grants 1.4 3. Applications

LipidomicNet exchange grants

1. Objectives

2. Types of exchange grants

3. Applications

1. Objectives

1.1 Introduction The exchange training visits serve a number of the objectives as formulated for the project entitled: “Lipid droplets as dynamic organelle of fat deposition and release: Translational research towards human disease” (LipidomicNet). Foremost they are vital to achieve the integration of lipidomic research within LipidomicNet or to complete the tasks of independent work packages. The exchange grants offered by LipidomicNet specifically serve the needs of the work packages 1 – 8 (Joint Research Activities and Integration Activities). The LipidomicNet exchange grants should be seen as a focused programme in addition to the more general Marie Curie Fellowships, available from the Commission. Two types of exchange grants are available; one for doctoral students and one for postdoctoral staff.

1.2 Host institutions All LipidomicNet partners can act as a host institution. The host institution has to express its willingness to receive the prospective exchange candidate and agrees to take care of the administrative tasks assigned to a host institution.

All funds involved in the exchange grants will be transferred to the host institution. The host institution will pay the monthly allowance to the recipient and reimburse the international travel costs. A bench fee will be provided to the host institution equal to the bench fees in use within the Marie Curie Training Sites (€ 1200/month). The LipidomicNet Secretariat will transfer all funds prior to the start of the exchange to the host institution.

1.3. Recipients Recipients of an exchange grant must be scientists that have been registered as a LipidomicNet member for at least one months. By applying for an exchange grant the recipient agrees to cover certain costs involved in the exchange grant (travel costs in the home country and costs involved in visa applications and other administrative procedures). The recipient of an exchange grant will provide the LipidomicNet Secretariat with a written report about the exchange visit within two months of the completion date.

2. Types of exchange grants

Two types of exchange grants are available. For both grants, the main objective is exchange of specific knowledge, models, tools or facilities within the LipidomicNet partnership, serving the purpose of integration of lipidomic research.

2.1. Exchange visits for PhD students Duration may range from one week to six months. Typically, visits could be used for: • Acquisition of skills • Use of advanced equipment not available at own laboratory • Joint analyses of samples in a standardised way • Applying data sets to specific statistical or bioinformatics analysis tools • Development of e-learning modules

Costs covered: • One air ticket plus other travel costs in the host country at a maximum of €600 • Allowance for living costs including housing of € 1200/month • Travel expenses for the PhD-supervisor may be included up to a maximum €1000

Costs involved in obtaining visa, proper insurance etc. are to be covered by the employer of the recipient. A second ticket for the PhD student may be included in the application, provided the exchange is longer than four months; splitting the total exchange in two shorter periods. The financial contribution for this type of exchange grants will not exceed € 16 000.

2.2. Exchange visits for postdoctoral researchers and doctoral staff Duration: two weeks (i.e. 10 working days, minimum) to four months (maximum). Typically, such visits can be used for: • Formulation of standards for joint research • Design of joint protocols

Costs covered: • One air ticket (max. € 600) • Costs for accommodation and living up to € 125/day for short visits, or € 1200 per month for visits longer than 1 month. • Bench fee of € 1200 per month.

All other costs are to be paid by the employer.

3. Applications

Application, deadlines and review procedure Application forms must be submitted to the LipidomicNet Secretariat in electronic form and, in addition, an original sent by surface mail with the requested signatures. In 2008, the deadlines for submitting applications are:

1. July 1st
2. September 1st
3. October 1st
4. November 1st
5. December 1st

The amount of information requested through the application is kept to a minimum. Personal data should be (e.g. a description of the current research activities, a curriculum vitae and a list of publications). Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of two LipidomicNet senior scientists and the work package or Task force coordinator.

Applications aimed at completing the tasks of a work packages will be granted if the quality of the application is sufficient. For applications based on research innovation (i.e. acquisition of skills, use of advanced equipment not available at own laboratory and joint analyses of samples in a standardised way etc.), only one application per LipidomicNet partner can be submitted annually. The Network Board will decide on the allocation of these grants.

As applications can be submitted any time it should be clear to all applicants that only those with the highest score will be awarded. The evaluation time will be kept to a minimum and the result will be communicated within one month.