Call for BIOPOLIS 2024 projects – European teaming project
This call for proposals is part of a European project funded by the H2020 Teaming program ("Biopolis"). The Biopolis project1 aims to support the development in Portugal of a center of excellence in research, development, and innovation in the fields of biodiversity, agrobiodiversity, and ecosystem services. This center will be based on an existing laboratory, CIBIO2. The University of Montpellier (UM and its associated supervisory bodies) is a partner in this capacity-building project. The project funds mobility and events that contribute to the development of the center, but also and primarily human resources, including young researchers, who are the subject of this call for tenders.
OBJECTIVES
This call for proposals aims to recruit young researchers using Teaming project funds managed by UM (meaning they will be hired by UM). It is part of WP5 of the Teaming project. We are looking for situations where these young recruits can be trained in Montpellier (supervised by one or more researchers from Montpellier), as part of projects co-developed with one or more researchers from CIBIO (co-supervision). These young researchers will thus participate in the transfer of knowledge from the University of Montpellier to CIBIO, and in the development of the project at CIBIO (ideally leading to future recruitment at CIBIO).
This third call for projects offers the possibility of funding up to 10 years of contracts for young researchers. Currently, five PhDs and five contracts for young researchers have already been funded under the first and second calls for projects. Biopolis Montpellier funding will also cover the mobility of young recruits, their supervisors, and their Montpellier-based colleagues from France to Portugal. The mobility of partners from Portugal to France will be covered by Portuguese funding and is not included in this call for projects. A limited budget will also be allocated to each recruit to cover research expenses and personal computer equipment.
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
The 11 joint research units involved in Biopolis are eligible: AGAP, AMAP, CEFE, CEEM, CBGP, DIADE, IHPE, IPSIM, ISEM, MIVEGEC, and LEPSE.
The scientific project must correspond to one of the following main areas3 of Biopolis (biodiversity, agrobiodiversity, and ecosystem services). All scientific disciplines are welcome, although, all other things being equal, preference will be given to projects corresponding to areas 2 and 3 (agrobiodiversity and ecosystem services).
SUBMISSION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Projects originating from each unit must be submitted exclusively by the Unit Directors (UD). Files must be submitted in PDF format using the template available for download and sent by email.
AMOUNT AVAILABLE
This call will fund the salaries of young researchers for a maximum period of 10 years. Contracts may vary in length (12, 18, or 24 months), but the total duration will not exceed 10 years. Each recruit will receive a research grant and another grant for mobility to the Portuguese laboratory (see eligible expenses below).
CALENDAR
- Official opening: April 19 , 2024
- Submission of proposals by Unit Directors: before June 19, 2024
- Final decisions: mid-July 2024
- Start of recruitment procedures: September 2024
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Salary for a young researcher (based on the UM salary scale, currently between €51k and €55k/year, depending on recruitment level and experience) for a maximum period of 24 months; a budget for research expenses specifically justified by the project, which may include consumables, services, the purchase of a personal computer, and expenses for missions other than those to the Portuguese laboratory, for a maximum amount of €10k per year; a budget that can be used to cover travel expenses to the Portuguese laboratory (short and long stays) for recruits and their supervisors in Montpellier, as well as events organized in Montpellier as part of the project, expressly justified and up to a maximum of €9k per year.
These two envelopes may be distributed over the duration of the project as needed.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
Resources will be allocated taking into account the following criteria:
- Adequacy of the project with the main scientific objectives of the Teaming project, in particular axes 2 and 34
- Effectiveness of collaboration
- Contribution of the UM partner to the development of the project at CIBIO (scientific or technical expertise, financial or material resources, etc.)
- Prospects for the development of the project for CIBIO, within this collaboration and/or more broadly
- Clarity and relevance of objectives and expectations
- Feasibility (material and financial) of the recruit's project
An evaluation committee will analyze the eligible applications and propose a ranking of candidates for final selection.