Short Visits
The ESF MedCLIVAR Programme offers a limited number of short visits, principally aimed at more senior researchers, in order to promote the co-operation of scientists actively involved in regional climate research. Visits should focus on the five main themes of the ESF MedCLIVAR Programme, which will form the basis for the annual ESF MedCLIVAR workshops:
- Reconstruction of past Mediterranean climate
- Connections between Mediterranean and global climate variability
- Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the Mediterranean Sea circulation and for sea level trends
- Assessment of the possible feedbacks of the Mediterranean dynamics in the global climate system and of its influence on other regions. Identification of the environmental and climatic effects caused by the strong anthropic influence at the regional scale
- Understanding and predicting the response of the Mediterranean climate to the increase of radiatively active gases and aerosols.
Application procedures
The deadlines for submission of applications are 15 March and 15 September each year. Visits should not be planned to start before 1 May or 1 November respectively.
Application forms should be submitted online Application Form
Applicants should be prepared to complete online:
- details of their own institute and of their host's institute (address, contact details)
- the title of their planned project
- planned starting date of visit and duration (in weeks)
- estimated travel costs (maximum 500 EUR).
Please note that the online system will allow applications for a maximum of 15 days. If you wish to undertake a visit of more than 15 days, please use the Exchange Grant application form.
Applicants will also need to have ready to upload a document (.pdf or .doc format, not exceeding 5MB) with the following information:
- A short description (approx. 250 words) of the proposed project work and the aim of the visit
- the MedCLIVAR objectives to which this visit is relevant
- A curriculum vitae of two A4 pages
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
You may encounter problems with the online application form if you are using Netscape as a browser. If this happens, please change to Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. You will also need to enable your computer to accept cookies while completing the form.
Evaluation procedures
The evaluation of applications will be coordinated by the Grants sub-committee of the ESF MedCLIVAR Steering Committee, which will make recommendations for approval by the ESF SC. Membership of the Grants sub-committee will change annually. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
a) Undertake work applicable to MedCLIVAR, with preference being given to the five major themes
b) Apply to stay in a European country other than the country of origin
c) Return to the institute of origin upon termination, so that the applicant's institute may also benefit from the broadened knowledge of the visiting scientist.
d) The scientific quality of the project and its relevance for achieving MedCLIVAR aims
e) The CV of the applicant and the scientific quality of the hosting group
Priority will be given to applicants who come from or intend to visit countries that financially support the Programme (Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom). Priority will be give to applications where both the origin and the host institute are located in countries supporting the programme.
Level of support
ESF Short Visit Grants are reimbursed on a per diem basis of 85 EUR plus actual travel expenses up to a maximum of 500 EUR. Payment of the grant is subject to the submission of a final scientific report, original travel tickets and a signed host statement form(s), and to approval of the report by the MedCLIVAR Steering Committee. Reports should normally be submitted within one month of completion of the visit.
Reporting requirements
Reports should normally be submitted within one month of completion of the visit. The final report of the grantee will be subject to approval of the ESF MedCLIVAR Steering Committee before payment is made.
In line with the MedCLIVAR policy of data sharing, grantees are strongly encouraged to ensure that the data resulting from visits supported by the ESF MedCLIVAR Programme are available in the public domain within one year of completion of their visit.
Grantees are also required to acknowledge the support of the ESF MedCLIVAR Programme in any publications resulting from their visits and to forward a reprint of these publications to the MedCLIVAR Programme Co-ordinator as soon as possible.
ESF provides the scientific, administrative and technical secretariat for COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).