Framework: Call for Proposals : European Science Foundation

Framework

The ESF Research Conferences Scheme provides the opportunity for leading scientists and younger researchers to meet for discussions on the most recent developments in their fields of research. It acts as a catalyst for creating new synergistic contacts throughout Europe and the rest of the world. ESF Research Conferences are open to scientists world-wide, whether from academia or industry.

Successful proponents become the conference chairs and are responsible for both the scientific programme and quality of the conferences. Full administrative and logistical support is provided by the ESF Conferences unit.

Format

70-130 participants
No more than 25 invited speakers and convenors
A duration of 4 full conference days (3 full conference days for conferences in social sciences and humanities)
Core activities:

lectures by invited speakers
active participation of early stage researchers through short talks, poster sessions and extensive discussion periods
Forward Look Plenary Discussion about future developments in the field
no parallel sessions

Joint meals and social activities to encourage further contact and networking

Eligibility

Applicants should be scientists/researchers based at European universities/research institutes (in the broad sense) in ESF Member Organisation countries.

Scientific Domains covered by the Call

In 2013, the ESF - together with its respective partner organisations - will fund Research Conferences in the following domains:

Scientific Domain	Number of Events in 2013	Duration	Location	Further Information
Molecular Biology+: Molecular Biology at the Interface with other Science Disciplines The topics should be at the forefront of scientific research and should be interdisciplinary, with a strong molecular biology bias. Symposia will concentrate on those topics that are at the interface between molecular life sciences and other related science disciplines, such as: Molecular Biology + Chemistry, Physics, Computer Sciences, Mathematical Modelling, Space Science, Clinical Medicine, Engineering, Environmental Science, Humanities and Social Sciences.	up to 5	4 full conference days	Polonia Castle, Pultusk near Warsaw, Poland	ESF-EMBO Conference Guidelines
Physics/Biophysics and Environmental Sciences The topics should be at the forefront of scientific research and may be interdisciplinary when appropriate. Conferences will concentrate on topics in the areas of Physics/Biophysics, and Environmental Sciences	up to 5	4 full conference days	Universitäts- zentrum Obergurgl, Obergurgl, Austria	ESF-LFUI Conference Guidelines
Social Sciences and Humanities The topics should be at the forefront of scientific research and may be interdisciplinary when appropriate. Conferences will concentrate on topics in the Humanities and Social Sciences.	up to 4	3 full conference days	Linköping, Sweden	ESF-LiU Conference Guidelines

Criteria for Funding

Scientific scope and interdisciplinarity of the proposal
Scientific relevance in terms of novelty, originality and timeliness
European dimension and added value
Scientific quality of the draft programme

Conditions of the Award

Conference takes place in 2013
Conference takes place at the venue selected by ESF
70-130 participants
No more than 25 invited speakers and convenors
Duration of 5 nights/4 days (4 nights/3 days for Social Sciences and Humanities)
Plenary format (no parallel sessions)
Lectures by invited speakers
Active participation of early stage researchers through short talks, poster sessions and discussion periods
Inclusion of Forward Look Plenary Discussion
Appropriate gender balance (minimum 40% participants/speakers from minority gender)
Appropriate geographical balance (70% of participants from ESF member countries, no more than 20% from a single country)
Successful applicants must comply with the "Guidelines for Chairs"

Assessment Process

Proposals are evaluated through international peer review and selected by review panels composed of members of the ESF Standing Committees and scientists nominated by the Partner Organisations.

The international peer review takes place between October and December 2011. The review panel meetings take place in early 2012. Decisions are communicated at the end of March 2012.