Status

The call for applications for travel in 2016 is now open. The deadline for applications is 5pm (AEST) Saturday 30 April 2016.

Details

The Australian Academy of Science invites applications from Australian researchers for the France–Australia Science Innovation Collaboration (FASIC) Fellowships. French researchers interested in travelling to Australia should apply through the PHC FASIC program administered by Campus France.

The Fellowships are a component of the FASIC Program, a platform for bilateral collaboration in science jointly managed and funded by the governments of Australia and France. The FASIC Program is a joint fund to support high calibre Australian and French early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) nominated by their institutions, to expand research and innovation activities and to initiate sustainable research networks and linkages to support both countries’ research and innovation priorities.

Applicants should propose a collaborative research activity that has been developed in consultation with the host organisation in France. Proposals will be assessed on the

• scientific merit of the research (including the value of collaboration with France)
• demonstrated achievements of the applicant in the context of his/her career to date
• leading edge research capacity of the proposed host researcher and institution
• expected outcomes intended to support the program’s focus and objectives including the commercial or public good application of research and journal publications
• value of the expected outcome of the research project to Australian science.

A letter of invitation from the host institution(s) commenting on the proposed collaboration must be submitted with the application.

The fellowship is not intended to supplement or extend either study or sabbatical leave that is being conducted overseas and support will not be given when the primary purpose of the visit is to attend a conference.

Fields of research

Candidates should be research active in any field of the natural sciences, including technology, engineering and medicine. Candidates engaged in multidisciplinary research are invited to apply.

Eligibility

The application is to be submitted by the research office or grants office of the institution or equivalent. Each institution is limited to applying for two grants on behalf of two EMCRs. Eligible institutions include higher education institutions, publicly funded research agencies, private not-for-profit research organisations and firms that pursue research.

The candidate must:

• be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident, living in Australia at the time of submitting the grant application (if you were not born in Australia, please provide proof of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency)
• hold a PhD degree or equivalent research doctorate which must have been conferred within 15 years of time of application.

Assessment criteria

The application will be assessed based on an excellence-driven process against the following criteria:

• scientific merit of the research (including the value of collaboration with France)
• demonstrated achievements of the applicant in the context of his/her career to date
• leading edge research capacity of the proposed host researcher and institution
• expected outcomes intended to support the program’s focus and objectives including the commercial or public good application of research and journal publications
• value of the expected outcome of the research project to Australian science.

Terms of award

Funding totalling $40,000 is available to support visits by Australian researchers in 2016. Funds will be provided to the successful EMCRs to contribute to the cost of travel and living expenses. Grants will be awarded to the successful EMCRs to visit France to develop research activities with one or several French institutions and to initiate and establish research networks and linkages. The Australian institutions will be responsible for supporting their EMCR’s visit to France and liaising with the Academy in relation to administering the grants.

Successful applicants may receive from the Academy a grant-in-aid of up to the value of AU$5,000 (GST exclusive) towards the cost of:

• an international return economy class airfare from Australia to the international airport closest to the host institute and domestic travel within France (up to a maximum of $2,500)
• a daily living allowance (for accommodation and living expenses) of $200 per day or up to a maximum of $2,500 (whichever is the lesser amount).

Travel to France may commence from 1 August 2016 onwards and must be for a minimum of 14 days, maximum of 28 days. All travel must be completed by 30 April 2017. The EMCR will be responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements, in consultation with the host institution as appropriate. Dependents may accompany the successful applicant at their own cost. The grant does not provide funds for bench fees, managerial, visa or insurance costs.

Intellectual property rights

Collaborative activities will protect intellectual property (IP) rights which relate to or arise from innovations developed under the joint research activities. The ascription and allocation of rights and interests regarding IP will occur on the basis of respective contribution and equitable interests.

The allocation of IP rights arising from the joint research activities will occur on the basis of an arrangement developed jointly for each grant and in accordance with laws and regulations in force in Australia and France.

Reporting requirements

Successful applicants will be required to submit a report within one month of completing the project and provide evidence demonstrating that the funds have been appropriately expended. The report can be found under the reporting guidelines below.

It is a requirement that any publication resulting from the project funded by this program mentions the support granted to the project by the Australian Academy of Science and by the French Embassy in Australia.

Materials to be submitted (in the following order)

1. Application form
2. Proof of Australian citizenship/Australian permanent residency (only for applicants not born in Australia)
3. Copy of PhD degree
4. Curriculum vitae or track record
5. Statement detailing the home institution’s track records in the specified field of research
6. Letter/s of invitation from the host institution/s
7. Referee report (see Notes for Referees)

DEADLINE – 5pm (AEST) Saturday 30 April 2016

Completed applications, including supporting documentation, must be submitted electronically, preferably in PDF format, by a research office or grants office or equivalent, to grants@science.org.au.

Notification of outcome: July 2016

Applications are considered carefully against the selection criteria by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise. The decisions of the committee are based on the assessed competitiveness of the proposal. The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.

For further information contact

International Programs
Australian Academy of Science
GPO Box 783
Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: 02 6201 9412 Email: grants@science.org.au

This program is supported by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and the French Embassy in Australia.

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