Framework: Call for Proposals 2013

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
  • Maximum of 130 participants, 70-130 recommended
  • Maximum of 20 invited speakers, 10-18 recommended
  • A duration of 4 full conference days
  • Core activities:
    • contributions by invited speakers
    • Contributions by accepted applicants (e.g. through short talks, poster sessions and discussion periods)
    • Foresight Session about future developments in the field
    • no parallel sessions
  • Joint meals and social activities to encourage further contact and networking
Eligibility

Proponents 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 2015, the ESF - in partnership with EMBO - will fund Research Conferences in the following domain*:

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 events will be funded, each of them for a duration of 4 full days.
Location will be as determined by the partnership.

For further information on partnership: ESF-EMBO Conferences Guidelines

*The number of conferences to be supported depend on the partnership agreement (MoU) and the approved annual budgets of the co-funding parties. In case of changes, ESF reserves the right to update, change or cancel aspects of this call. Changes will be communicated on the Call for Conference Proposals web pages. Proponents that have already submitted will be informed by email.

Criteria for Funding
  1. Scientific scope and interdisciplinarity of the proposal
  2. Scientific relevance in terms of novelty, originality and timeliness
  3. European dimension and added value
  4. Scientific quality of the draft programme

ESF Research Conferences Review Guidelines.

Conditions of the Award
  • Conference takes place in 2015
  • Maximum of 150 participants, 70-130 recommended
  • Maximum of 20 invited speakers, 10-18 recommended
  • Duration of 5 nights/4 days, three to four full conference days
  • Plenary format (no parallel sessions)
  • Contributions by invited speakers
  • Contributions by accepted applicants (e.g. through short talks, poster sessions and discussion periods)
  • Inclusion of Foresight Session
  • 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)
  • The ESF Conferences Unit determines the location of the conference, depending on the set partnership
  • 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 Scientific Review Groups and scientists nominated by the Partner Organisations.

The international peer review takes place anually between October and December. The review panel meetings take place in January and February. Decisions are communicated in April.