Open Call 2023 for Applications for Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM) for COST Action CA20105 – Slow Memory: Transformative Practices for Times of Uneven and Accelerating Change
Extended deadline: 24 March 2023!
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:
- Up to a maximum of 4000 € in total can be awarded to successful STSM applicants.
- 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 MCs.
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 August 2023
- 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 (working paper, blog post, presentation, social media contribution, etc.). Proposals that offer research results which can be presented at the Slow Memory PhD Training School and Conference in Aarhus, Denmark, from 12-16 June 2023 or at a future Slow Memory conference will be taken into special consideration.
3. Deadline for Applications
The deadline for applications for an STSM grant is 3 24 March 2023. Depending on available funding, a second call might be issued in June 2023 after the Slow Memory Conference.
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 10 March – 30 August 2023);
- 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, etc.;
- Relevance of the contribution of the STSM results to the Slow Memory Conference in Aarhus (12-16 June 2023) or a future Slow Memory meeting.
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@gmail.com.
