Open Call: Applications for Short-Term Scientific Missions 2024

Open Call for Applications: Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM) 2024

1. Purpose of a Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) under COST Action Slow Memory
   
   

The main objective of the COST Action Slow Memory (CA20105) is to develop the concept of slow memory as an approach to understanding and responding to grand-scale transformation. Bringing together theoretical approaches both from the field of memory studies and disciplines such as environmental science and engineering, law, political economy and Indigenous Studies, we will set new research agendas. Achieving this goal includes fostering collaboration across disciplines and geographic regions, with a focus on PhD students, Early Career Scholars, and researchers from Inclusive Target Countries (ITCs), as well as ensuring gender diversity.

STSM are aimed at sustaining the production of specific tangible outputs, such as STSM reports, collaborative projects, joint publications, presentation in a conference of this COST Action, cooperation with potential stakeholders, and developing contacts for new collaboration. STSM are aimed also at promoting less tangible outputs, e.g., knowledge exchange, transfer of skill and techniques, increased visibility and awareness of COST Action, and networking.

2. Specific information concerning STSMs
   
   

Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) consist in a visit by a Researcher or Innovator with a host organization located in a different country than the country of affiliation for the specific work to be carried out and for a determined period of time. The STSM grant provides a contribution for travelling, accommodation and subsistence expenses, implementation of the project, delivery of the report to the COST Action MC and overall effort. The Grantee can perform the mission anywhere in the world. The financial support is a contribution to the overall expenses incurred during the STSM and may not necessarily cover all of the associated outgoings. Participant grants are non-commercial transactions, therefore, claims as such are not subject to V.A.T deduction. Taxes normally due or applicable with respect to the payment of the grant are not to be deducted from amounts payable to participants. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that all amounts that they receive from COST funding are compliant with their national tax rules and obligations.

The following funding conditions apply and must be respected:

1. Up to a maximum of 1,250 € in total can be awarded to successful STSM applicants.
2. The number of STSM approved and the amount granted for each individual STSM will be determined during the evaluation process by the STSM Coordinator, the Grant Awarding Coordinator, and a committee member from the Action’s MC.
   
   

STSMs must respect the following criteria:

• The Applicant and the Host institution are in different countries;
• The minimum duration is 5 days (including travel);
• There is no maximum duration, but the STSM must be carried out by 30 July 2024
• The applicant needs to show how the STSM will result in a specific deliverable that will contribute to the dissemination and visibility of the COST Action (article contribution to an Action special issue, contribution to the Action’s final edited volume, podcast episode (in collaboration with one of the Action’s working group), educational material, exhibition etc.).
  
  

3. Deadline for Applications

The deadline for applications for an STSM grant is 15 April 2024. Depending on available funding, a second call might be issued after the COST meeting in Belgrade in May 2024.

4. Who can apply

STSM applicants must be engaged in a research programme as a postgraduate student or postdoctoral fellow or be officially affiliated to a public or private institution (Home institution), as well as be registered as a member of a Working Group of the Slow Memory Action (CA20105). We especially seek to support gender diversity as well as the work of early career Researchers / Innovators (<40 year old) and those from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs).

5. How to apply

Eligible applicants should follow these steps:

5.1 – Before submitting an application, obtain the agreement of the host institution on the work plan and proposed dates by means of an invitation letter signed by a senior researcher affiliated with the Host institution.

5.2 – Fill in e-COST 

• Title
• Start and end date (from 1 April – 30 August 2024);
• Budget requested by the applicant;
• Information about the host institution and contact person
  
  

5.3 – Upload to e-COST:

• Application form (template available on e-COST) describing: Goals, description of the work to be carried out, expected outcomes and description of the contribution to Slow Memory objectives (3 pages maximum);
• Confirmation of the host on the agreement from the host institution in receiving the applicant;
• Short Curriculum vitae (3 pages maximum);
• 1-page motivation letter;
• Letter of support from the home institution.
  
  

6. Evaluation criteria:
   
   

• Scientific quality of the proposal (scientific level of the project and how it is correlated to the aims of the Action);
• Innovation in the networking connection (among countries/disciplines);
• Potential contribution to WG 7 (Dissemination and Communication) in the form of a working paper, presentation, blog post, social media contribution, podcast, educational material, virtual exhibition, etc.;
• Relevance of the contribution of the STSM results to the Slow Memory Action (specifically a deliverable described above).
• The applicant will be formally notified of the outcome of their STSM application by the STSM Committee within 7 days after the submission of the proposal.
  
  

7. What is required after completing the STSM
   
   

The STSM Grantee has 30 calendar days from the end date of the mission to submit a scientific report to the Grant Awarding Coordinator. Grants are paid by the Grant Holder after the completion of the activity and approval of all required report/documentation, which includes confirmation by the Host institution of the successful execution of the STSM and short (3 page-max) description of:

• purpose of the STSM;
• report of work carried out during the STSM;
• main achievements;
• planned follow-up activities;
• foreseen publications/articles resulting from the STSM (if applicable)
  
  

For any questions regarding the STSM contact Vjeran Pavlaković: vjeranp[a]gmail.com