These notes refer to the online and Common Application form and should be read in conjunction with the Financial Details and Additional Requirements from EFOs and the answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Please also refer to the list of ECRP Funding Organisations.

PROJECT SUBMISSION

You will be asked to submit your proposal online, in a two-step procedure:

Phase 1.

 SECTION ONE: The Collaborative Research Project

1.1 Explain the main aims of the collaborative research (up to 5 aims/150 words)
1.2 Explain the likely impacts of the collaborative research, both academic and non-academic (max 200 words).
1.3 Explain the ways in which the collaboration adds value to the research (max. 200 words).
1.4 Ensure data handling aspects are considered (if relevant)
1.5 This section must show clearly how the different components in the proposal will contribute to the interest, coherence and value of the Collaborative Research Project. The Technical Annexes should be used, where necessary, to describe datasets or analytical procedures.

SECTION TWO: Individual Projects

Each Collaborative Research Project must comprise a minimum of three Individual Projects. Applicants should supply the information requested in these sections to the Project Leader, who is responsible for ensuring that all the completed Individual Project forms are inserted in the ECRP application submitted to the ESF.
Except for the first partner who should be the Project Leader for the collaboration, applicants can decide for themselves in which order to present the Individual Projects. The order of the form must be respected. All boxes should be completed fully, even if this means duplicating information given in Section One.
Since some ECRP member countries have more than one EFO from whom funding can be sought, space is provided to identify the specific EFO.
Please note that only one Individual Project per EFO can be accepted in any ECRP application. If more Project Members are involved, then the relevant boxes should be copied as necessary.
2.1 Applicants should provide a summary of the financial support requested and follow their EFO’s instructions for supplying financial details and any additional information required.
2.2 Applicants should provide a succinct description of their Individual Project and show how it contributes to the Collaborative Research Project. Reviewers will be asked to comment on both Individual Projects and the overall collaboration. The Technical Annexes should be used, if necessary, to describe datasets or analytical procedures.

SECTION THREE: Associate Projects (AP)

A Collaborative Research Project can include an Associate Project. An AP should bring added value to the Collaborative Research Project. It is led by an Associate Partner who is self-financing.
3.1 Only basic information is required for each partner
3.2 Partners should provide a description of their Associate Project and show how it contributes to the Collaborative Research Project.
3.3 Information on requested funds is required here.

Back to top

Phase 2. Once the Common Application Form has been prepared, you can proceed to enter the following information online, as instructed on the first page of the online form:

Step 1: CRP details (title, start date, duration, abstract, total budget)
Step 2: Personal data of Project Leader
Step 3: Personal data of Principal Investigators, Project Member(s) and Associate Partner(s)
Step 4: Upload file with CRP details (note: this file is the Common Application Form)
Step 5: Submission

Please note that the Project Leader is responsible for ensuring that all the required information about the collaboration and the Individual Projects is incorporated into the Common Application Form and entered online where relevant.

• The deadline for the submission of applications is 28 April 2008 17:00 CET.

• The Common Application Form (available on the first page of the online form) should be submitted online to ESF, as a single pdf, doc or rtf file.

• Additional documentation requested by EFOs for Individual Projects should reach the relevant EFOs by the same deadline (Please check carefully the EFOs' requirements).

• Descriptions of Collaborative Research Projects exceeding 2500 words, and  Individual Projects exceeding 1500 words will not be accepted.

• Late submissions will not be accepted.

The ESF will check that the applications are complete, that they contain the minimum number of Individual Projects and do not exceed the stated length. The applications will then be made available to the relevant funding organisations, which will carry out their own eligibility checks. Applicants will be informed in June 2008 if they have not met the eligibility criteria.

Back to top

Schedule for Decision-Making

The schedule for decision-making envisages a period of seven months for peer review and co-ordination, operated at the European level and overseen by the ECRP Management Committee. The ESF will co-ordinate the review process. Project proposals submitted by 28 April 2008, if successful, could expect to start in March 2009.

Please note that Project Leaders are expected to act as contact persons throughout this process and pass on all relevant information to their Principal Investigators and teams.