Call for Science-Society Projects 2023 – Component 2: “Impact’Sciences”
A call for proposals that is part of a strategy to disseminate research conducted in our region and raise awareness of its implications, particularly among young people and schoolchildren.
Objective
Impact’Sciences aims to support innovative initiatives specifically designed for young people or school-age audiences, with the primary goal of promoting knowledge-sharing initiatives and educational activities that explore the methods, findings, challenges, and questions of the experimental sciences.
Proposed science education projects (exhibitions, discussions, science workshops, board games, educational workbooks, multimedia, etc.) must be based on research findings, knowledge, and/or expertise recently developed by the project leader or their team. Initiatives proposed to the Office of Equal Opportunity to facilitate access to higher education programs will be encouraged.
The University of Montpellier’s science outreach services will be able to provide support for selected projects in the following areas: connecting participants with key players and events within the Regional Science Outreach Network; advising on science communication; and assisting with dissemination, communication, and media relations as needed.
Key selection criteria:
- the nature of the scientific content in relation to the research topics of the project leader(s);
- alignment between initiatives and target audiences;
- feasibility of implementation and partnerships established;
- originality/innovation;
- the overall impact anticipated over the period during which the actions are implemented (volume, headcount);
- the project’s impact in terms of the University’s visibility and reputation.
Note: Special attention will be given to projects that draw on the University’s scientific and/or heritage collections. Projects that can be implemented during the Year of Physics will also be encouraged (the Year of Physics, running from September 2023 to July 2024, is an initiative in France launched by the CNRS, the French Physical Society, the Ministry of National Education and Youth, the CEA, and France Universités).
Budget allocated to this call for proposals: €
,500 across two rounds (Fall 2022 & Fall 2023). Grants will be capped at €4,000 per project.
Submission guidelines:
Projects must be submitted in PDF format using the attached template.
Maximum project duration:
2 years
Evaluation Committee
Chaired by the Vice President for Science-Society Relations and composed of the Director of the DCSPH and the two heads of the science outreach departments under that directorate, a member of the CR UM, a representative from Institut Agro and ENSCM, and approximately two external experts.
Eligible expenses:
- operating expenses and the purchase of supplies that can be accounted for in cost accounting;
- capital expenditures, purchase of equipment;
- Intern compensation – Civic Service;
- services directly related to the project, including graphic design and multimedia services, Fablab, museology, reprographics, and public outreach (the researcher co-designs the program, and a science outreach organization leads the public sessions…);
- human resources, expenses related to temporary staff hired by the University or, in exceptional cases, by the supervising body of the partner research unit (student part-time work, additional teaching assignments, etc.).
Please note: Laboratory management fees are not eligible.
Preliminary schedule for thesecond campaign
- Call for Proposals launch/opening:November 16, 2023.
- Deadline for submitting proposals: December 18, 2023 (11:00 p.m.).
- Review Committee:January 2024.
- Project launch:February 2024.