Top researchers in the most diverse scientific areas who intend to perform research in the Municipality of Oeiras have a new tool to seek to guarantee funding for their projects. This support may come from the “Oeiras – ERC Frontier Research Incentive Awards”, which were created under a cooperation agreement signed between Oeiras City Council and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation on 24 November. Find out how these awards work in six questions and answers.
What are the Oeiras ERC – Frontier Research Incentive Awards?
The “Oeiras – ERC Frontier Research Incentive Awards” aim to finance candidates from teaching and research institutions, located in the Municipality of Oeiras, who have submitted high quality applications for individual grants to the European Research Council (ERC) and who, although selected for the second ERC evaluation phase, have been unable to guarantee funds due to ERC budget constraints. The ERC finances the most prominent cutting-edge research projects in Europe. These projects are driven by researchers from all areas (life sciences, physical sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities) and the proposals are designed by researchers who incorporate their most innovative and revolutionary ideas.
Why were these awards instituted?
By supporting the best talent, these awards showcase the contribution of Oeiras, and the institutions based in the municipality, towards the development of science and innovation at national and international level.
What is the value of the prize?
The value of the prize is up to 240,000 euros per two-year project, corresponding to a maximum of 120,000 euros per year.
Who can apply?
The Oeiras-ERC research incentive awards are open to researchers from all areas (life sciences, physical sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities).
What are the award criteria?
These award are aimed at researchers who have submitted a proposal for funding of an individual grant that is not funded under the ERC scheme (StG – Starting Grant, CoG – Consolidator Grant, AdG – Advanced Grant) and who have reached phase 2 (with a final score of A or B) of the evaluation process.
How can one apply?
After the publication of the results of the last ERC individual grant contest (scheduled for December 2020), and within 10 working days, host institutions in the territory of Oeiras should contact the Monitoring Committee established for this purpose and submit a list of researchers eligible for the award, namely those whose proposals have reached stage 2, but have not secured funding in the regular calls of the ERC StG, CoG and AdG.
Further information about the awards can be found here
