Robotics and Automation MagazineEuron Third Call for ProposalsDeadline 15th April 2006 @ 12.00 MET This document is also available in pdf and plain text form. 1. IntroductionUnder the European Research Network -- EURON contract (FP6-NOE-507728), sponsored by the CEC-IST Future and Emerging Technologies unit, a call for proposals is hereby issued. As part of its research coordination the network invites applications for support in terms of:
In short the respective categories are:
Below a more detailed explanation is provided. In addition details of the different types of projects can be found in the annex of work for EURON (the annex 1 to the contract). Projects must have a clear value to the ``Beyond Robotics'' programme and, as such, be related to one of the focal areas of:
The proposed projects either augment work already done with existing IPs, or explore new approaches. Projects can be cross-cutting. 2. Prospective Research Projects2.1 What is a prospective research project?A Prospective Research Project is primarily intended for early evaluation of novel research ideas. Projects are expected to provide support to research within the subject area of the Beyond Robotics initiative and to be of an exploratory nature, and to be designed to test rapidly the credibility of new research ideas and concepts. PRPs are targeted research projects with a maximum duration of 12 months (extensions will in general not be permitted). The expected output of the project must be clearly identified. 2.2 Who can apply?Projects must as a minimum include 2 member institutions from two different EU countries (or affiliated states). As a special feature, this call is directed at young researchers (within 5 years of earning a PhD). Each partner, whether industrial or academic, must satisfy this criteria. For an industrial partner without a PhD, and age limit of 30 years will apply. The idea is to have young researchers apply for projects to allow them to setup international cooperative projects early in their career. The maximum budget for a PRP is 100 K Euro. 2.3 Other informationThe format of proposals and the guidelines for submission are presented in Section 5 and 8. It is expected that the present call will allow funding of 3-4 PRP projects. 3 Research Ateliers3.1 What is a Research Atelier?A Research Atelier is a focussed effort on a well-defined question taking place at a single venue, with participation of researchers from a number of different institutions and/or companies over a limited period of time. The duration of an atelier can be from a few days to a month. The aim of an atelier is cross-institution and/or cross-discipline integration. 3.2 Example Research AteliersThe result of an atelier can be a roadmap or a focussed study of a particular topic resulting in a publication. As there is a strong need to enrich the EURON research roadmap we encourage the setup of ateliers to address the topical focal points identified in the EURON roadmap i.e.
In this areas development of a detailed roadmap through focussed topical meetings would be most welcome. 3.3 Composition of a Research AtelierA Research Atelier must be organised by at least two EURON member institutions, from two different member states. The consortium of participants can be as large as needed. It is important to recognize that people from outside the EU can be involved as needed to ensure a global view of the topic studied by an atelier. The consortium must appoint an atelier coordinator that is responsible for all communication with the EURON administration. 3.4 Other InformationThe format of proposals and the guidelines for submission are presented in Section 5 and 8. It is expected that at most three research ateliers can be sponsored at a level of 100 KEuro each as part of this call. 4 Special Interest Groups4.1 What is a Special Interest Group (SIG)?A SIG is an ad hoc collection of five or more EURON institutions that come together to form a micro community to address a specific topic that is of common interest to all SIG members. The initiative to form a SIG lies completely with the members, and they are free to select the topic of their SIG. 4.2 Example SIG activitiesA (non-exhaustive) list of activities that a SIG may want to pursue:
4.3 Who can apply?
4.4 Contents of a SIG proposal4.4.1 Objectives of the SIG
4.4.2 Institutions involved in the SIG 4.4.3 SIG Coordinator(s) The person responsible for all communication with EURON. 4.4.4 List of planned activities 4.4.5 Budget A SIG may be funded up to 15 K Euro a year. The expected cost items must be identified and motivated in the Proposal. (Note: just asking for travel money without a realistic activity plan is not acceptable.). It is anticipated that 5-6 SIGs might be funded within the present call. 4.5 Other information
5 Proposal structureA proposal must be prepared according to the recommended proposal structure. Proposals that are too long will not be considered. The structure is as follows:
The core of the proposal is thus max 6.5 pages and then N x 0.5 pages for presentation of the consortium. 6 Evaluation ProcedureAll proposals will be reviewed using a peer-review process as outlined below. Details can also be found in the EURON review guidelines. A list of received proposals with key data (proposer, institution, title of study, amount of resources requested) will be circulated to the EURON Board and the Commission. Any member of the Board having a potential conflict of interest must announce it to the co-ordinator within 1 week of the publication of the list. Three international experts (the ``Evaluators'') are selected for the evaluation of each proposal. The evaluators will be selected according to scientific qualifications to judge the proposal, but at the same time in a manner to ensure a balanced and fair evaluation. The reviews are carried out under a confidentiality agreement with EURON. Electronic copies are forwarded to the evaluators (within two weeks of the deadline of the call). Evaluations are to be completed within two weeks. Special evaluation forms are provided -- they are adapted versions of the evaluation forms used by the CEC for STREPs. The evaluators will be asked to adhere to the guidelines for evaluation normally used by the CEC for STREPs, CAs and SSAs as appropriate. Copies of the guidelines will be forwarded to the evaluators together with the proposals. All evaluators will be required to sign a non-disclosure form and a non-conflict form to insure against publication of confidential information, and to avoid conflicts of interest. The received evaluation forms will be collected and made available to the EURON Board and the Commission. An evaluation committee will provide a consolidation over the received reviews and prepare a recommendation to the board. The Network Board is expected to meet 5 weeks after the deadline of the call to make a final decision on the received proposals. An EU officer will be invited to the meeting as an observer. In the selection of the proposals for support the Board will adhere to the guidelines for evaluation used by the CEC as applicable. For the discussion of each proposal, board members who have earlier notified a conflict of interest will be required to leave the room while the case is being discussed. Such members are not allowed to express any opinion about the proposal at any time during the meeting. Within one week of the board meeting, proposers receive a written decision regarding their proposal. The decision will include an evaluation decision and a summary of the evaluations received from the international evaluators. In addition, successful proposals will be advertised through the EURON WWW facility. 7 Contract preparationFunded projects will be set up as ``direct contracts with third parties'' (according to article 17 of the rules for participation) to execute a small project or a special study under the auspices of EURON. The EURON co-ordinator concludes a written agreement with the project consortium. This agreement determines the conditions for implementing the project and the respective rights and obligations of EURON and the project consortium. The agreement has to be in conformity with the EURON contract. Activities are expected to start by July 1, 2006. 8 Submission of proposalsIn general to be eligible for support independent legal entities from at least two EU member states or associated states must be involved in the effort. These partners are jointly liable, technically and financially to execute the project or study and to deliver its results. The eligibility of a legal entity to participate and receive funding complies with the general principles laid down in the Articles 4 - 8 of the Rules of Participation in EU projects. Participants are expected to be/become members of EURON. Proposals must be received in hard-copy (and electronically - PDF format - on a standard ISO9660 CDROM) by the closing date (12:00 noon (MET) 15th April 2006). An ASCII version of a proposal abstract (1/2 page) is to be included on the CDROM. Proposals received too late will be returned unopened. Inappropriately formatted or partial proposals will be disregarded. Proposals submitted by fax or email will not be considered. Proposals are to be submitted to: EURON Call for ProposalsC/O Centre for Autonomous Systems NADA School of Computer Science and Communication Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan Teknikringen 14 SE-114 28 Stockholm, Sweden. A notification of receipt will be returned to the proposers within one week of arrival (by fax). 9 Documents:
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