PROVINCIA AUTONOMA DI TRENTO

Transcription

1 PROVINCIA AUTONOMA DI TRENTO SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME THE PEOPLE PROGRAMME People Co-funding of Regional, National and International Programs Grant agreement for: Annex I - Description of Work Project acronym: Trentino Project full title: The Trentino programme of research, training and mobility of post-doctoral researchers Grant agreement no.: Date of preparation of Annex I (latest version): 24/11/2008 Date of approval of Annex I by Commission: 26/11/2008 1

2 PART A A.1: List of Beneficiary and host organizations Beneficiary/ Host organizations Number Beneficiary/ Host organization name Beneficiary /Host organization short name Country Date enter project Date exit project 1 (beneficiary) Autonomous Province of Trento PAT Italy 1 48 A.2: Project Summary Free Keywords Autonomous Province, reform process, incoming, outgoing, excellence, reintegration, health sciences, humanities, natural sciences, physical sciences, technological sciences Abstract Trentino is the right bay for research and development. It hosts a large number of research labs from environmental studies to high-tech technologies. The Province of Trento allocates several resources such as infrastructure, real estate and funds to encourage research and innovation. Many institutes, both public and private, local, national and international have established their research units in Trento and Rovereto in order to transfer the knowledge from the research arena to industries. In order to facilitate the development of the research environment the PAT decided to start its Research Mobility programme. The Trentino programme started in 2003 with the first call for proposals for incoming research postdocs and implemented in 2006 with the call for proposals for Research Teams. The general objective of this proposal is to increase the number of trans-national fellowships awarded, to introduce a new outgoing and reintegration scheme and to improve the fellows condition. Thanks to the action the number of researchers coming from outside Italy could be increased and the local/italian researchers be reintegrated. Besides, some researchers could profit of international experiences and then come back to Trentino. Furthermore the conditions of the fellows will be improved by promoting the implementation of the conditions described in The European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, in particular by offering employment contracts instead of stipends to the fellows, by establishing a career development plan at the beginning of the project and by introducing an assessment questionnaire at the end of the project. Another objective is to improve the Internet website and its English version. The fellowship schemes open in Trentino are: Incoming: Scheme for experienced researchers to be hosted under an individual fellowship within the University of Trento or other research organisations in Trentino Outgoing: Scheme aimed at reinforcing the international dimension of the career of Italian/European researchers by giving them the opportunity to be trained and acquire new knowledge in another country. Re-integration: Scheme encouraging researchers from Trentino and/or having carried out secondary and/or advanced studies in Trentino who have carried out research outside Europe for at least 3 years in an organization in Trentino. 2

3 Table of contents Part B Introduction page 4 The Fund for Research Projects (Fondo Unico) The main actors of the Trentino system of high education, research and innovation Description of the calls B.1 Selection process for the fellows under the programme page 10 B1.1 Transparency of the selection process B1.2Composition and organisation of the selection committees B1.3 Criteria and methods of judging merit B.2 Management of the programme page 15 B2.1 Appointment conditions of the selected fellows B2.2 Quality of the programme management B2.3 Client-friendliness towards applicant researchers B2.4 Administrative capacity to implement the programme B2.5 Appropriateness of the number of fellows B2.6 Future development of the programme B.3 Relevance and Impact to Life-long training and Career development page 25 B3.1 Openess of the programme to trans-national mobility B3.2 Contribution to diverse career development of researchers (broadening and deepening) B3.3 Career development support to fellows B3.4 Equal opportunities, including for resuming a research career after a break B3.5 Relevance for the European Research Area (ERA) B3.6 Impact of the programme to the development of the researchers careers in the ERA Part C C.1 Estimated programme budget page 32 C.2 Financial tables page 34 Abbreviations: PAT = Provincia autonoma di Trento (Autonomous Province of Trento) p.l. = provincial law 3

4 PART B: Introduction The Fund for Research Projects (Fondo Unico) The Fund (created by provincial law no. 3 of 20 March 2001, and subsequently modified by p.l. no. 3 of 22 March 2001 and more recently by p.l. no. 14 of 2 August 2005) is the technical and financial instrument of the PAT government for promoting scientific and technological research. The fund has the objective to finance projects lasting for one or more years, designed for the social and economic development of the Province, and to strengthen the competitive capability of the local scientific community, encouraging the community to act as a unified system. The Fund is made of own revenues. The PAT is in the exceptional position where it is able to govern the key element of financing to a much wider extent than most other regions in Italy. Its autonomous spending and taxation authority is therefore one of its strengths. Art. 22 of the p.l. no. 14/2005 establishes the publication of different calls for proposals for strategic projects, for development projects, for post-doctoral researchers and research units. The calls are published annually for the allocation of resources from the Fund. New calls for proposals for International Outgoing Researchers and for the Reintegration of Researchers will be published. The following researchers are eligible: experienced researchers holding a doctoral degree awarded in Italy or abroad or, depending on the different calls for proposals, researchers with at least four or five years of experience after obtaining the degree which formally allows them to embark on a doctorate. The eligible organisations are the research bodies, according to the definition of the EC, carrying out research within the province. The research topics and research institutes are freely chosen by the fellows, taking into account the p.l. no. 14/2005 and the long-term research programme. With p.l. no. 14/2005 more responsibility is given to the applying researcher concerning the scientific and administrative issues of the project. The funding for the industrial research projects is regulated by art. 5 of p.l. no. 6 of 13 December 1999 and the p.l. no. 14 explains the tasks of the Technical and Scientific Research Committee with regard to the industrial research projects. The same law has also established the long-term research programme (programma pluriennale della ricerca) aimed also at creating a provincial system of research and innovation, integrated and open at national and international level. 4

5 The main actors of the Trentino system of high education, research and innovation In alphabetical order (not translated names): Agenzia provinciale per la protezione dell'ambiente ( Centro Ricerche Fiat - Trento branch ( Consorzio Superbrown di Bolzano e Trento ( Fondazione Edmund Mach (former Istituto agrario di San Michele all'adige IASMA and Centro di ecologia alpina CEA) ( Istituto nazionale di fisica nucleare: Trento group ( Istituto sperimentale per l sssestamento forestale e l alpicoltura ( Fondazione Bruno Kessler (former Istituto trentino di cultura) Ricerca scientifica e tecnologica Scienze religiose Storico-germanico Cefsa Cirm ECT Università degli studi di Trento CNR - Institutes, laboratories and sections: Istituto di Biofisica CNR-IBF Istituto di Fotonica e nanotecnologie CNR-IFN Istituto per la valorizzazione del legno e delle specie arboree - CNR-IVALSA Istituto nazionale di fisica della materia - CNR: Unità di ricerca di Trento CRS-BEC Istituto di Tecnologie industriali e automazione - CNR-ITIA Istituto di Scienze e tecnologie della cognizione CNR-ISTC Centers: ATreP (Agenzia provinciale per la protonterapia) CELCT (Center for the Evalution of Language and Communication Technologies) CREATE-NET (Center for REsearch And Telecommunication Experimentation for NETworked Communities) Graphitech - Center for Advanced Computer Graphics Technologies 5

6 ITPAR (India-Trento program for advanced research) Microsoft Research - University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology Others: Museo tridentino di scienze naturali MTSN Museo civico di Rovereto Museo degli usi e costumi della gente trentina Parco naturale Adamello Brenta Parco naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino Parco nazionale dello Stelvio 6

7 Description of the calls Six calls will be open in the next few years (see below), however calls 2 and 6 are totally funded by the PAT. Therefore there is no request of co-funding as appears in the financial tables. Calls 1, 3, 4 and 5 will be co-funded. 1) Calls for project proposals from post-doctoral researchers (Incoming fellowships) The new calls for projects proposals for post-doctoral researchers are set forth by art. 22 of the p. l. no 14/2005 and the research areas are those established by the long-term research programme. The project proposed by a post-doctoral researcher to one of the eligible host institutions has the following specific objectives: - contributing to creating attractive conditions for scientific research in the province of Trento; - generating impact on the research system, through the funding of effective scientific initiatives that foresee measurable results in qualitative and quantitative terms; - selecting of a limited number of highly qualified research projects, on which resources will be concentrated with the following objectives: a) to promote the professional development of young talented researchers - also from outside of Italy - who can work on a specific project in a host institution that carries out research activity in Trentino; b) to favour training, mobility and career development of the researchers, on an international level, as fundamental part of the development of the human resources. The projects must have duration of one to three years with a total provincial funding not exceeding the amount of Euro per year. The experienced researcher can come from any Country, inside or outside Europe, and freely applies to the PAT through the host institution. The host organisation provides the necessary infrastructural and administrative support to ensure that the researcher can carry out the project effectively. With p.l. no. 14/2005 more responsibility is given to the applying researcher, who has the scientific and administrative responsibility of the project. Each researcher will establish, together with the host organisation, a Personal Career Development Plan comprising his/her training needs (including complementary skills) and scientific objectives and later on report upon the rate of these objectives were met. Hence researchers are encouraged to play an active role in shaping their own training programme and professional development. 2) Calls for project proposals for Research Teams The team leader freely proposes the project proposals to one of the eligible host institutions with the following specific objectives: - contributing towards improving the Trentino scientific research system; - impacting the research system, by providing support to effective scientific initiatives; - selecting of a limited number of highly qualified research projects, on which resources will be concentrated with the following objectives: 7

8 a) promoting the presence of highly qualified researchers, also from abroad, to take on the management of a specific research project, additional or complementary as compared to areas of research already underway at local research institutes; c) favouring training, mobility and career development of the researchers, on an international level, as fundamental part of the development of the human resources. The aim is to create national and transnational research teams led by a researcher who has the potential to reach excellence in a particular scientific field. The team is built up so as to enable the researcher to attain more rapidly a position with responsibility for leading a team that executes, in priority, a leading edge and/or interdisciplinary research programme. The PAT then selects proposals for funding: the successful teams that are awarded a grant of up to 36 months based on a well-defined research programme and the maximum annual cost is ,00 euro. 3) A new call for International Outgoing project proposals for newly recruited researchers A new call will be implemented with the aim to reinforce the international dimension of the career of post-doctoral researchers by giving them the opportunity to be trained and acquire new knowledge in another country, high-level research organisation. Subsequently, these researchers will return to Trentino with the acquired knowledge and experience. This action consists of financial support to individual mobility projects submitted by experienced researchers of any nationality, who can go to any Country (inside or outside Europe), via the host organisations foreseen in p.l. no. 14/2005. The host organisation provides the necessary infrastructural and administrative support to ensure that the researcher can carry out the project effectively. The projects have a total maximum duration of up to 3 years, of which at least 1/2 (possibly 2/3) will be spent in a distinct legal entity in another country ( partner organisation ) + a mandatory re/integration phase within the contracting organisation ( return host organisation ) and the provincial funding has an average of Euro per year. The reintegration phase will normally start directly after the outgoing phase. The research topic will be freely chosen by the researcher, with regard to the long-term research programme, in collaboration with the return host organisation, with a view to completing and/or diversifying her/his expertise. Each experienced researcher will establish, together with the host organisation, a Personal Career Development Plan comprising his/her training needs (including complementary skills) and scientific objectives and later on report upon the rate of these objectives were met. Hence researchers are encouraged to play an active role in shaping their own training programme and professional development. 4) A new call for International Outgoing project proposals for researchers already employed A similar call for International Outgoing project proposals will be implemented with the aim to reinforce the international dimension of the career of experienced researchers, already employed with one of the institutes established by p.l. no. 14/2005, by giving them the opportunity to acquire new knowledge in another country, high-level research organisation. Subsequently, these researchers will return to their institution of origin with the acquired knowledge and experience. 8

9 The projects have a total maximum duration of up to 1 year, spent in a distinct legal entity in another country ( partner organisation ) and the provincial funding has an average of Euro per year. The salary will be paid by the organisation of origin. 5) A new Reintegration call for project proposals It has the objective of encouraging researchers from Trentino and/or having carried out secondary and/or advanced studies in Trentino and research in a different country for at least 3 years, to reintegrate in one of the institutions foreseen by p.l. no. 14/2005. The aim is to contribute to local and European research and transfer the knowledge they have acquired in another country by offering them the opportunity to capitalise their experience in Trentino. The scheme is also aimed at countering European brain drain. It should also lead to the development of lasting co-operation with the scientific and/or industrial environment of the other country from which they come from. This action consists of financial support during at least 2 and up to 3 years for professional (re)integration projects in the research area in a host organisation foreseen by p.l. no. 14/2005 and the long-term research programme. The project can, among other things, address research activities, training, transfer of knowledge, diffusion, development of co-operation with the scientific and/or industrial sector of the other country from which the researcher is coming. The provincial funding is maximum ,00 euro per year. This action will be open to experienced researchers, who at the date of submission as foreseen by the call for projects proposals have been active in research in a different country for at least 3 years and who are willing to return to Trentino. 6) A new Reintegration call for project proposals for Research Team will be implemented for the reintegration of experienced researchers who want to build a Research Team in Trentino. This action will be open to experienced researchers from Trentino and/or those who have carried out secondary and/or advanced studies in Trentino, who at the date of submission established by the call for proposals have been active in research in another country for at least 3 years and are willing to return to Trentino. This action consists of financial support during at least 2 and up to 3 years for professional (re)integration projects in the research area in a host organisation foreseen by p.l. no. 14/2005 and the long-term research programme and with a provincial funding of maximum Euro per year. The Trentino programme is co-funded by the European Commission for four years. The total budget of the programme is Euro ,00 and the co-funded budget is Euro ,00. In the next calls for proposals the FP7 + Marie Curie logos will be used and it will be clearly indicated that the calls are co-funded by the European Union. 9

10 B.1 Selection process for the fellows under the programme B1.1 Transparency of the selection process Publication of the calls The calls will be published on: - the PAT internet website - the EU Researcher s Mobility Portal - the EU Cordis website: - the Fondazione Crui (Conference of the Rectors of the Italian Universities) internet website ; - the local and national press (Sole 24), - the international journals such as Nature and The Scientist - and other available internet websites and journals depending on the type of the call. Life cycle of the proposals Within max 7 days after the call deadline, the University and Scientific Research Unit of the PAT receives also the paper versions of the proposals and then sends an acknowledgment of receipt to the mail and address of the proposers given in the submitted proposals. Sending out an acknowledgment of receipt does not imply that a proposal has been accepted as eligible for evaluation. The Unit checks then that the proposals meet the eligibility criteria that apply to the different calls and funding scheme. Approval of the final list takes place through decree of the provincial government, within 120 days after the deadline of the call for proposals. Funding for the projects, according to their position in the list and in so far as it is compatible with the financial resources available, is provided by the Head of the University and Research Unit of the Province, within 15 days after the above-mentioned decree. The list is valid for 365 days since its approval date. The eligible proposals are evaluated by the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation, using the peer review procedure. Immediately after the completion of the evaluation, the results are finalised and all coordinators receive a letter containing the information on the results of the evaluation; results are also published on the internet site. The Evaluation Summary Report with the opinion of the experts is available upon request using the form published on the webpage: In the event of availability of funds following renunciation or cancellation, the Head of the Unit approves the funding of those projects which are next in the priority list. Information to the applicants on the evaluation and selection process The calls for proposals published in Internet include also the information about the evaluation and selection process and the evaluation criteria used to grade applications. 10

11 Applicants can contact the Unit through the helpdesk and the host institutions for any request of information about the calls and the evaluation process. The Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation fills out a specific evaluation form for each project and formulates its views on each in order to allow the listing of the eligible proposals on a merit basis. In formulating its judgment, the Committee may propose modifications to the proposed budget. Application documentation The following documents are available for the applicants on the Internet site of the Unit: - Call for proposals with all the information, included the methods and criteria for the evaluation of the projects - Guide for Applicants - Proposals Submission Forms - Frequently Asked Questions - To get a quick understanding which topics ethical rules include applicants will be guided to the Ethics Check List on Cordis. Submission of the proposals Proposals must be submitted electronically, using an on-line submission service available at the following address: Feedback on evaluation results The Committee, and the experts involved in the peer review evaluation procedure, fill in specific evaluation forms for each project. Evaluation scores are awarded for each criterion. Experts will assess and mark the proposal exactly as it is described and presented. They do not make any assumptions or interpretations about the project in addition to what is in the proposal. Concise but explicit justifications will be given for each score. Recommendations for improvements to be discussed as part of a possible negotiation phase are given, if needed, by the Committee. Moreover, evaluators will decide whether an ethical review would be necessary. B1.2 Composition and organisation of the selection committees According to art. 23 and art. 24 of the p.l. no. 14/2005, two Committees have been established, the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation and the Research Evaluation Committee, each one with different tasks. The members are appointed, following the above mentioned law, by the Provincial Government for the entire duration of the legislature ( ) and are composed by maximum five external experts, one of which is nominated by the minorities of the Provincial Council. They comprise specialists with expertise in the chosen areas of research and with multi-disciplinary skills in the scientific world. All specialists have to come from outside the provincial administration and the research organizations applying for funding. 11

12 The members of the current Committees, in force until March 2009, may be again appointed or partially replaced. In any case, they will be replaced by other people with similar skills and expertise. 1) The Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation This Committee has been created as a consultancy, technical and scientific evaluation body: - expresses its view on the proposals submitted on the different calls as foreseen in art. 22 of the p.l. no. 14/2005, and makes sure these are compliant to the provisions in each single call; - carries out the tasks foreseen in art. 5 of the p.l. no. 6/1999 (Industrial projects); - expresses its view on the long-term research programme; elaborates proposals on the long-term research programme. It is chaired by a President, Carlo Calandra Bonaura (Professor of Physics at the University of Modena and President of the Committee of Experts of the Regional Programme of Innovation and Industrial Research of the Region Emilia-Romagna). The other members are: Gilberto Antonelli (Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Bologna), Luca Comai (Professor at the Genome Center and Section of Plant Biology, UC Davis), Renato De Mori (Professor at the Academy of Marseille France and University of Montreal Canada), Gianluigi Gorla (Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Valle d Aosta). The Committee consists of three Italian experts and two experts of Italian origin who have been living and working abroad (in France and in the United States) for many years. This Committee is responsible for ex-ante, in itinere and ex-post evaluation of all projects financed by the Autonomous Province of Trento. 2) The Research Evaluation Committee The Committee evaluates the effectiveness of the whole initiatives of the Province to the support of the provincial system of research and innovation, also with regard to the attainment of the objectives established in the long-term research programme. Another task is the evaluation of the impact of the results of the proposals financed by the research fund. Finally the Committee submits to the local Council and Government a report with the results on the evaluation activity. It is chaired by the President Alberto Silvani (Director of the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer of the University of Milan and professor of Management of Innovation), who spent three years as national expert at DG RTD. The other members are Andrea Bonaccorsi (economist who has been active in the fields of economics of science and technology for over 20 years), Bruno Codenotti (director of research of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche CNR), Paolo Dario (Professor of Biomedical Robotics at the Scuola Superiore Sant Anna in Pisa), Armando Vadagnini (member of the editorial staff of the human sciences review Verifiche ). The selection of referees by the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation The Scientific and Technical Committee for Research and Innovation can ask for the assistance of external experts for the execution of its tasks, as foreseen by par. 6 of art. 23 of the p.l. no. 14/2005. When necessary, the proposals fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria are evaluated by a peer review system carried out by the Committee. Care is taken to ensure that both the Committee and each group of experts have an appropriate range of balance of competences, geographical backgrounds, gender and language competences. 12

13 Whenever it is deemed advisable, the Committee avails itself of foreign experts; for instance, in the evaluation process of one of the last calls, 26 out of 41 independent experts were foreigners or Italian people living abroad and for the dedicated call on human sciences, out of 28 involved, 10 were women. At least the same conditions will be applied throughout the life of Trentino. The PAT has a large database of referees and a policy of rotating the referees. As a standard procedure, at least one-third of the experts are replaced for each evaluation. A specific address: [email protected] has been specifically designed for all contacts with the experts. The provincial government has approved, with decree no. 467 of 13 March 2006 (modified by decree no of 9 November 2007) the criteria for the selection of experts by the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation and the Research Evaluation Committee, as described in art. 24 of p.l. no. 14/2005. A database of potential reviewers has been created based on the knowledge of the Committee members about their personal databases and existing databases of scientific peer reviewers and other available data (e.g. Google Scholar). The names of the experts, selected according to the criteria described below, are divided by disciplinary fields, and are updated by the University and Scientific Research Unit of the Province. The database may be integrated with names of experts: - directly indicated by the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation or by the Committee for Evaluation of Research; - registered in the official list of the University and Research Ministry, foreseen in art. 7, comma 1, of the legislative decree 27 July 1999, no. 297; - who have participated in the evaluation s procedures of the proposals submitted following art. 9 of the p.l. no. 3 of 20 March 2000; - any other people available following the invitation to declare their availability and to submit their interest. The contract with the expert contains the description of the tasks to carry out, the foreseen remuneration, the timetable for the execution of the tasks and any other matter which may be deemed necessary to discipline the relation with the experts, taking into consideration what is provided for by the implementing rules of Part I bis of the p.l. no. 23 of 19 July All the above mentioned criteria can be modified and updated with a provincial decree. Conflicts of interests Under the terms of the appointment letter, all experts must declare beforehand any known conflict of interest, and must immediately inform the University and Scientific Research Unit of the PAT if any conflict arise during the evaluation. The Unit takes whatever action it deems necessary to remove any such conflict. Evaluators must not have a direct or indirect conflict of interest with any of the proposals they evaluate Criteria for the selection of the fellows B1.3 Criteria and methods of judging merit 13

14 Evaluation of the projects of incoming post-doctoral fellowships has been carried out, also on a comparative basis, considering the following criteria: a) Applying researcher: level of scientific and professional background, quality of publications, capacity to carry out independent research, potential for leadership and project management, extent and quality of scientific collaboration. b) Research project: originality of the proposed research, contextual background of the research area, feasibility, strategic potential of the proposal, organization of the project, clarity of deadlines and suitability of chosen methods. c) Host organisation: existence of the infrastructures necessary to guarantee the execution of the project, high quality of the research of the host institution, scientific position of the research structure within the host organization. Evaluation of the projects for Research Teams has been carried out, also on a comparative basis, by considering the following criteria: a) Applying researcher: level of scientific and professional background, quality of publications, capacity to lead a research group and manage projects, extent and quality of scientific collaboration. b) Research project: originality of the proposed research, cutting-edge nature of the research, feasibility, strategic potential of the proposal, possibility of system spin-offs in the short/longterm, organization of the project, clarity of deadlines and suitability of methods chosen; additional and complementary nature as compared to areas of research already underway at the host organization; potential to attract financial resources from public and private bodies, over and beyond the funding provided for, ensuring extension of the expected results; clarity in terms of professional prospects and possible spin-offs for young researchers involved in the research, clearly identifying the professional role on entry and the professional role on termination. c) Host organization: existence of the infrastructures necessary to guarantee the execution of the project, scientific position of the research structure of the host organization. During the evaluation procedures the Committee pays special attention to the projects submitted by foreign post-docs. For the future calls, in order to open up more to and further encourage international mobility, the first criterion will be the following: a) Applying researcher: scientific qualification, professional experience with specific attention to the international one, capacity to carry out independent research, potential for leadership and project management, extent and quality of scientific collaborations. All the above mentioned criteria can be modified and updated with a provincial decree. Ethical principles The beneficiary will make sure that a strict and robust system is put in place in PAT to ensure that all fellowships to be financed under the programme Trentino are in compliance with the fundamental ethical principles (in particular: Decision 2006/1982/EC, OJ L 412/1, , Decision 2006/971/EC, OJ L 54/30, and OJ L 412/42, ). The Unit and the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation will identify those proposals with serious ethical issues together with those that do not address ethical issues adequately and will require additional attention by an ethical review panel. 14

15 The applicants will have to fill in the ethical issues table as foreseen by the FP7 ethical rules. In case of conflicts between FP7 rules and national/local rules, FP7 rules will prevail. In these latter cases an Ethics Review Report will be available before the start of the project. The PAT will make sure that Ethical Review Reports be available for possible checks, if appropriate. The ethical review of proposals, when appropriate, will be carried out by an independent Ethics Committee or the relevant authorities. The research activities should respect fundamental ethical principles, including those reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. These principles include the need to ensure the freedom of research and the need to protect the physical and moral integrity of human beings and the welfare of animals. The European Commission may conduct at any time an ethical audit either on the Trentino project or on the grants that Trentino is funding with EC support - to make sure that ethical rules of FP7 are not violated. 15

16 B.2 Management of the programme The criteria and management methods used for the Fund had been set by the Provincial Government, with the assistance of a Research Evaluation and Policy Committee until 2005 and then of the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation. The law nr. 14/2005 has also established the long-term research programme (programma pluriennale della ricerca) aimed at: - creating a provincial system of research and innovation, - integrated and open at national and international level; - increasing the value of the knowledge produced by the territory; - promoting initiatives for the innovation of the production system; - stimulating and boosting the collaboration among the subjects of the provincial system of research and innovation (research centres, institutes, industries and public administration); - contributing to the strengthening of the competition of all subjects of the system, stimulating them to find external resources; - favouring the internationalisation of the research centres, as promoters of possible positive effects on the province at different levels, both on the social and economical development; - promoting the diffusion among the subjects of the research system of accountability instruments, like the drawing up of the social budget, to communicate and involve the whole provincial community with the results obtained. From 2006 onwards the research projects have been selected from the following subject areas, falling within the priority areas for research as defined by the long-term research programme approved with decree of the Provincial Government no of 10 November 2006: pluriennale.asp environment, paleoenvironment and anthropic landscape; environment-forests-wood production and use; biodiversity; biomedical image processing; bioinformatics; biology of agricultural and food products; mathematical biology; bio-nanotechnology; human capital and competitiveness; genomics and post-genomics of grapevine and apple; information and Communication Technologies; tissue engineering; transmittable diseases of fauna and human health; functional materials; mechathronics; nanostructures on microsystems; nutrition and health in the perspective of nutritional genomics; public policy and local development; water systems; technology for the transformation of agricultural and food products; information, diagnostic and restoration technology for the enhancement and conservation ofthe cultural heritage; 16

17 technologies for sustainable construction, renewable sources and area management. B2.1 Appointment conditions of the selected fellows Technical conditions for the selected fellows The post-docs, whose projects are selected and financed by the PAT, carry out their training and research activities in the various host institutions: The PAT and the host institutions ensure that a stimulating research or research training environment is created which offers suitable equipment, facilities and opportunities, including for remote collaboration over research networks, and that the national or sectoral regulations concerning health and safety in research are observed. The host institutions make sure the post-docs have access to office and lab space before the start of the projects. In the letter of agreement with the fellows, it is stipulated where they are assigned to work and the funds available for special purchases. Standard funds for laboratory overhead and major purchases are provided for by the host institutions. Employment conditions provided to the fellows The researchers are hired either under a stipend, an employment contract or equivalent status following the national and local legislation and the rules of each host institution. The p.l. no. 23 of 19 July 1990 deals with the contractual activity and the administration of the assets of the PAT. The research fellows coming from foreign countries are offered, when possible, a standard contract which is regulated by the PAT, on the basis of Italian law 30 of 2003 (the so called Biagi law) which has introduced the co.co.pro. (contratto di lavoro a progetto), a work contract on projects that replaced the co.co.co (contratto di collaborazione coordinata e continuativa). The researcher contract is proposed for periods of 1 to 3 years, typically. This contract provides conditions which are equivalent to those offered to a permanent employee, but with a fixed end date. The contract allows the host institutions to offer economic conditions that meet the needs of the institutions and the researcher with the belief that this private law contract embodies the kind of mobility foreseen by European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers by contributing to the development of an attractive, open and sustainable European labour market. This differs from the national research contract which provides for a rigid entry and advancement scheme. An improvement for the future is to ensure that the research institutes and the University of Trento will use more and more the employment contract instead of the stipend, following the instructions of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the recruitment of researchers. 17

18 Milestones and deliverables B2.2 QUALITY OF THE PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT The programme will be implemented as follows: Time ( in quarter) Stages Stage 1 - Calls 1,2,4,5 open evaluation frame of the start of the projects development of the projects Stage 2 - Calls 3,4,6 open evaluation frame of the start of the projects development of the projects Stage 3 - Calls 1,3,4,5 open evaluation frame of the start of the projects development of the projects No 1.1 D 1.1 M 1.2 M 1.3 M Milestone (M) / Delivererable (D) Stage 1 - Calls 1,2,4,5 Decree of the provincial government Publication of the calls for projects proposals nr. 1, 2, 4 and 5 End of submission and start of evaluation End of evaluation of the proposals Delivery Date (month) m 0 m 1 m 2 m 4 Specification Approval of the calls after a meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation After a meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation and decree of the provincial government Meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation to select the experts Meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation to prepare the final ranked list 18

19 1.4 D 1.5 M 1.6 M 2.1 D 2.1 M 2.2 M 2.3 M 2.4 D 2.5 M 2.6 M 3.1 D 3.1 M 3.2 M 3.3 M 3.4 D 3.5 M 3.6 M Decision by the official government Information to the applicants Communication of the start of the projects Stage 2 - Calls 3,4,6 Decree of the provincial government Publication of the calls for projects proposals nr. 3, 4 and 6 End of submission and start of evaluation End of evaluation of the proposals Decision by the official government Information to the applicants Communication of the start of the projects Stage 3 - Calls 1,3,4,5 Decree of the provincial government Publication of the calls for projects proposals nr. 1, 3, 4 and 5 End of submission and start of evaluation End of evaluation of the proposals Decision by the official government Information to the applicants Communication of the start of the projects m 5 m 6 m 8 m 7 m 8 m 9 m 11 m 12 m 13 m 15 m 15 m 15 m 17 m 19 m 20 m 21 m 23 Decree of the provincial government with the list of the approved and rejected proposals and the total amount of budget Publication of the official results on the website and information to the applicants Official notes from the institutions with the communication of the start date of the projects Approval of the calls after a meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation After a meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation Meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation to select the experts Meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation to prepare the final ranked list Decree of the provincial government with the list of the approved and rejected proposals and the total amount of budget Publication of the official results on the website and information to the applicants Official notes from the institutions with the communication of the start date of the projects Approval of the calls after a meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation After a meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation Meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation to select the experts Meeting with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation to prepare the final ranked list Decree of the provincial government with the list of the approved and rejected proposals and the total amount of budget Publication of the official results on the website and information to the applicants Official notes from the institutions with the communication of the start date of the projects 19

20 General deliverables 4.1 D Mid term interim progress report m 12 Report to the European Commission 4.2 D Technical and financial periodical report m 24 Report to the European Commission Table with average 4.3 D actual fellowship costs Deliverable to report the actual fellowships m 24 per fellowship type by granted during the reporting periods main cost category 4.4 D Mid term interim progress report m 36 Report to the European Commission Table with average 4.5 D actual fellowship costs Deliverable to report the actual fellowships m 48 per fellowship type by granted during the reporting periods main cost category 4.6 D Final report m 48 Report to the European Commission Usually, within sixty days after the first annual deadline of the project, the researchers must submit a scientific report describing the project, giving the relevant information on the development of the project, the preliminary results obtained and any changes compared to the original proposal. In addition a statement summing up the expenses borne and any income obtained, signed by the administration and by the researcher has to be submitted to the Unit. All interim scientific reports are evaluated by the Committee and the cost statements by the Unit. Within ninety days after the end of the project, the researchers must submit the scientific final report and the financial statement summing up the expenses borne and any income obtained. All final scientific reports are evaluated by the Committee and the cost statements by the Unit. B2.3 CLIENT-FRIENDLINESS TOWARDS APPLICANT RESEARCHERS Helpdesk and other support for the applicants A specific address: [email protected] has been specifically designed to answer all questions about the existing and new projects. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the internet webpage answers the most common questions posed by the users. Meetings and workshops with and for all the fellows are organized by the Unit usually after few months after the start of the projects and then during the life of the projects. Timetable for the fellows The researcher has to communicate - via his/her host institution and within ninety days starting from the notification of the funding by the head of the Research and Scientific Unit of the Province - the acceptance of the funding and the date on which research activities will begin. Furthermore, the researcher must declare that s/he does not benefit from any other grants. The only grants that may be combined are those awarded by national and foreign institutes to integrate the research activities of grant holders with period of study abroad. This declaration takes the place of the affidavit. Research conferences ( are 20

21 organized for the whole scientific community. During the realization of the project the Committee and the Unit carry out the monitoring of the projects through one or more visits to the host institutions and meetings with the fellows. B2.4 ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAMME On the grounds of the Italian Constitution, the Province of Trento was given a special autonomy, providing provincial bodies with a wider legislative and administrative power. The Province of Trento has legal and administrative jurisdiction over economic, social and cultural sectors as well as environmental protection area. On the basis of the Constitutional Law of the 18th October 2001, no. 3, Trentino extended this legal and administrative power to new scientific, technological research and innovation fields. This is why the Province of Trento plays the role of co-ordinator and intermediate between companies promoting scientific research and bodies aimed at a research development. In this way, the Province acts both as promoter and user within the research field, which is considered an important tool to achieve its main legislative and institutional objectives. The PAT finances research and development in public institutions, like research institutes and the University of Trento, and in private enterprises. The main goal of the PAT with regard to the innovation system is the promotion and development of research and high education in Trentino. The Provincial government has confirmed its participation in the European Research Area, through continuous increases over the period of the resources allocated to research in Trentino. In the year 2000 the provincial government created its University and Scientific Research Unit with the following tasks: - carrying out activities finalized to the qualification of the system of higher education and research of the Trentino province; and activities of coordination and collaboration with the private and public research institutions; promoting the development, also through the different financing systems; - carrying out the inherent implementations for the management of the Research Fund, as foreseen in art. 17 of p.l.n. 14 of 2 August 2005, with the exception of what foreseen by art. 5 of p.l.n. 6 of 13 December 1999 (support to the industrial research); - supporting the Research Evaluation and Policy Committee until mid 2005 and afterwards the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation and the Committee for the Evaluation of Research ; - providing the programming and management of the activities foreseen in the agreements with the University of Trento, as established in the p.l. n. 29 of 2 November The Department of Planning, Research and Innovation deals with the following matters: planning, statistics, relations with EU, scientific research, university, development of rural areas, activities for the internationalization of the provincial system, namely the scientific-technological, cultural, institutional and economic system. The management, scientific coordination, and financial administration of the project is carried out by the University, Scientific and Research Unit. The following is the link where the structure is described and regularly updated: The Department of Planning, Research and Innovation is composed of different Units. One of this deals with European Union s matters and assists the University, Scientific and Research Unit in specific administrative issues strictly related to the EU. Financial expertise 21

22 The head of the sector Administrative and financial support of the University, Scientific and Research Unit has more than 15 years experience in economic and financial matters of the research institutes as well as of the PAT. The staff of the financial office has also several years experience in managing the accountancy of the PAT. A specific Financial Department with four Units deals with all the general accountancy, the financial management, the relations with the Court of Audit, the fiscal matters and all other financial, accounting and economic tasks of the PAT. Management of the programme The person responsible for the management of the programme and for the relations with the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation and with the scientific community holds a degree in Engineering and worked until 2001 first as researcher then as project manager at the Institute for Scientific and Technological Research, now Bruno Kessler Foundation. She has more than twenty years of scientific and management experience in the fields of transfer of knowledge, management of research projects and management of the local government's project fund for the finance of scientific and technological research projects. B2.5 Appropriateness of the number of fellows The number of the submitted and financed proposals has increased over the past four years. The Provincial Government and the Committee will guarantee continuity in the financing of human resources to keep research as competitive as possible with the objective to reach levels of international excellence. The PAT uses to study and discuss in advance the appropriate number of people which could be included in the global research system: Year Call for Call No. of submitted No. of financed number proposals proposals 2003 Incoming post-docs Incoming post-docs Incoming post-docs Incoming Research Teams Incoming post-docs

23 The following table shows the number of approved Incoming post-docs projects detailed with reference to the host organization: 60 Approved Incoming post-doc CNR-IBF CNR-IFN CNR-ISTC CNR-ITIA CNR-IVALSA Create-Net CSA FBK/ITC FEM - CEA FEM - IASMA GRAPHITECH INDAM INSTM IPRASE MTSN MUCGT UNITN In the following tables you can find the nr. of the expected proposals related to the programme: Year Call for Call number No. of expected proposals No. of financeable proposals Incoming post-docs Outgoing researchers Reintegration post-doc Incoming Teams Outgoing post-docs Outgoing researchers Reintegration Teams Incoming post-docs Outgoing post-docs Outgoing researchers Reintegration post-docs

24 indicative nr. fellows indicative nr. from outside indicative nr. to outside indicative yearly budget (keur) indicative yearly budget from and to outside (keur) indicative total budget from and to outside (keur) indicative total request of cofunding (keur) Call Call Call Call Total Call Call Call Total Call Call Call Call Total Total Elements to adapt and expand easily The PAT has a quite flexible system and can provide opportunities to promote the growth of the scientific productivity of the different institutes by investing in research and in human resources. The financial system of the PAT is regulated by the p.l. no. 7 of 14 September The law contains the rules for the preparation of the budget (multiannual, annual, etc.). The general principles of the financial system of the Region and the Autonomous Provinces are described in title VI of the Statute; these principles were revised by p.l. no. 386 of 30 November They are further detailed in a specific implementing rule (legislative decree no. 268 of 16 March 1992). B2.6 Future development of the programme Thanks to the Cofund, the Trentino programme will be implemented with new international outgoing and reintegration schemes. The actual schemes for incoming post-docs and excellence teams will be further open to the international dimension. The host institutions will be invited by the PAT to apply as much as possible the conditions of the Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers, e.g. the employment contract, the career development plan, the follow-up questionnaire. More efforts will also be made to increase participation of women researchers, by encouraging equal opportunities, by designing actions to ensure that researchers can achieve an appropriate 24

25 work/life balance and by facilitating the resumption of a research career after a break. The Trentino programme is part of a wider development strategy and programme of the PAT based on the knowledge, recognizing the promotion and the diffusion of the research and the innovation. Indeed, already in 2003 the PAT started with the publication of different calls for post-doctoral research projects. It is foreseen that this policy will continue after the end of the co funding phase as well. Different calls for proposals are published annually, e.g. calls for strategic projects, for development projects, and calls for proposals from post-doctoral researchers and research units. 25

26 B.3 RELEVANCE AND IMPACT TO LIFE-LONG TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT B3.1 Openess of the programme to trans-national mobility Trans-national elements of the programme The rationale for opening the mobility programme in order to encourage the mobility of researchers from Italy, Europe and other countries to come to the Trentino region is three-fold: To improve the quality of skills development for local and foreign researchers To increase the quality of research in Trentino and in Europe by attracting research talent from all over the world and integrating European researchers working in a different country; To foster long standing and mutually beneficial research collaboration between researchers and research institutions in Trentino and Europe. The trans-national and inter-sectoral mobility is an important element in a knowledge-based economy. The financial support of the programme is foreseen for incoming individual, transnational fellowships awarded by the PAT to the most promising researchers from Trentino, Italy and also from other countries. The programme also focuses on the promotion and recognition of excellence in European research through the publication of the call on Excellence Research Teams with the aim of highlighting the personal achievements of local and foreign researchers with a view to supporting their further development and international recognition. A new outgoing phase will be implemented to reinforce the international dimension of the career of European researchers by giving them the opportunity to be trained and acquire new knowledge in a different country, high-level research organisation. Subsequently, these researchers will return with the acquired knowledge and experience to an organisation of the country of origin. A new reintegration scheme will be set up to reinforce the attractiveness and help against the brain drain. Combination of trans-national elements An International Incoming Fellowship scheme was set up in 2003, providing the possibility for experienced researchers to be hosted under an individual fellowship within the University of Trento or other research organisations in Trentino for the purpose of advanced training. A Research Team Excellence scheme was set up in 2006 and gives promising researchers with high potential the opportunity to set up or develop their own research teams in Trentino. The action helps enhance the careers of these researchers by helping them attain research independence rapidly. In order to qualify as team leader, the applicant should have a recognised potential to reach a high level of scientific excellence, as well as the ability to manage and inspire a research team. A new International Outgoing scheme will be set up in 2009 with the aim of reinforcing the international dimension of the career of Italian/European researchers by giving them the opportunity to be trained and acquire new knowledge in another country, high-level research organisation. Subsequently, these researchers will return with the acquired knowledge and experience. A new Reintegration scheme will be implemented in 2009 with the aim to reinforce the attractiveness of Trentino and Europe by encouraging European researchers who have carried 26

27 out research outside Europe for at least 3 years, to reintegrate in one of the institutions foreseen by p.l. no. 14/2005, in order to contribute to local and European research and transfer the knowledge they have acquired in a different country, by offering them the opportunity to capitalise their experience. It is also aimed at countering European brain drain to third countries. It should also allow the development of lasting co-operation with the scientific and/or industrial environment of the different country from which they have returned. Specific efforts to attract non-nationals Taking as example the People programme, the main objective of the Trentino programme is the strengthening, both quantitatively and qualitatively, of the human potential in research and technology, by stimulating people to enter or continue the profession of researcher, by encouraging the researchers to stay in Europe, and by attracting to Trentino researchers from all over the world. As stated above the improvement for the future calls is the change of the criterion for the evaluation of the applying researcher and the diversification of the calls. The training and professional international experience is an important element for the Committee and the referees. Another effort to attract non-nationals is the international publication of the calls, e.g. on the Researcher s Mobility Portal. Important are also different contacts and collaborations already established at European and international level with researchers, research groups, public and private institutes and universities. B3.2 Contribution to diverse career development of researchers (broadening and deepening) Support to the fellows to deepen their scientific skills The main activities of a postdoctoral researcher are based on a research project prepared by the research fellow in coordination with the host institution. The project is tailored so that the researcher can reach a realistic and well-defined objective in terms of career advancement such as strengthening or attaining a leading independent position, or resuming a research career after a break. The project is shaped so as to develop and widen the competences of the researcher, in particular in terms of multi- or interdisciplinary expertise, inter-sectoral experience and complementary skills. Such research and training activities might include: a) Research through individual projects, leaving most of the responsibility to the researcher and the research group, b) Activities for developing scientific (new techniques or instruments, etc.) and complementary skills (proposal preparation to request funding, patent applications, project management, tasks coordination, technical staff supervision, etc.), c) Inter-sectoral or interdisciplinary transfer of knowledge, d) Capacity to build collaborations, e) Taking active part in the scientific and financial management of the research project, f) Developing organisational skills by organising training or dissemination events, g) Visits and secondments to other public and private institutes. In determining the project research topic, it is important to emphasise that it should be of strong interest for the region and for Europe and provide the best experiences for the researchers to advance their careers. 27

28 Furthermore the multi-disciplinary issue is very important but it is also a complex approach that implies a long work of mutual comprehension, and overcoming historical and cultural barriers with significant results. Last but not least another key issue is the quality and valorisation of the research already done. Support to the fellows to deepen non-scientific skills The aim of the future programme is: 1) to complement or acquire individual skills and competencies, also in the field of research management; 2) to enhance inter/multidisciplinarity and/or intersectoral mobility; 3) to help in supporting the career development of experienced researchers. The training and research activities require various competencies and this helps researchers also those with a particular need for additional and complementary skills - to reach a leading independent position early in their career development. B3.3 Career development support to fellows The programme is dedicated to stimulating the researchers training, mobility and career development. The career development of experienced researchers will be supported at different stages in their careers, and the programme seeks to enhance their individual competence diversification in terms of skill acquisition at multi- or interdisciplinary level and/or by undertaking intersectoral experiences. Support is given by the University of Trento and the local reseach centres in complementing or acquiring new skills and competencies, in resuming a research career after a break and in (re)integrating into a longer term research position in Trentino after a trans-national mobility experience. Furthermore the aim is to highlight personal achievements of experienced researchers, with a view to supporting their further development and international recognition, while also promoting the diffusion of their work for the benefit of the scientific community. Besides providing temporary employment opportunities for experienced researchers, the programme aims at catalysing development in researchers' curricula, specifically by adding different and/or complementary research competences at an advanced level, in the process of reaching and/or reinforcing a position of professional maturity. Projects are therefore expected to add significantly to the curriculum development of the best and most promising researchers active in Trentino and Italy, in order to enhance and maximise their contribution to the knowledge-based economy and society. Projects under the programme are expected to contribute significantly to "brain circulation" in the European Research Area, thereby providing the University of Trento and the research organisations with opportunities to benefit from the knowledge and experience gained by researchers during their mobility experience, while at the same time adding to these researchers' career development at European level and helping to enhance their employability. Each researcher will establish, together with her/his personal supervisor and the mentor in the host organisation, a Personal Career Development Plan comprising his/her training needs (including complementary skills) and scientific objectives and will later on report upon the success with which these objectives were met. In this way the researchers will be encouraged to play an active role in 28

29 shaping their own training programme and professional development. Career re-integration or return mechanism All the different calls for projects proposals are open to local/italian researchers, who would like to return to their home country after a training, professional and research period abroad. The objective is to reinforce the attractiveness of Trentino by encouraging local and Italian researchers who have carried out research outside their home country, to return to Trentino and contribute to European research and transfer the knowledge they have acquired abroad. Furthermore a new Reintegration scheme will be implemented with the aim of reinforcing the attractiveness of Trentino and Europe by encouraging researchers who have carried out research outside Europe for at least 3 years, to reintegrate in one of the institutions foreseen by p.l. no. 14/2005, in order to contribute to local and European research and transfer the knowledge they have acquired in another country, by offering them the opportunity to capitalise their experience in Trentino. Follow-up questionnaire A further improvement for the future is that the University and Scientific Research Unit of the PAT will take the necessary measures to ensure that the researcher completes an assessment questionnaire, provided by the Unit, at the end of the project. The monitoring of the post-doctoral researchers relies extensively on a direct feedback from the funded participants. The contractor should invite the participants at the end of the fellowship to complete the assessment questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to give the PAT and the Committee a feedback on the overall impact of the fellowship. It will contain personal information on the participant, and his evaluation of the fellowship (accommodation, linguistic aspects, etc.). The information included in the questionnaire will be kept in strictly confidential by the PAT and will mainly be used for assessing the level of satisfaction of the researchers. For those researchers who agree that the PAT uses their addresses, it will be easier to establish long-term exchange of information and collaborations, in particular with those researchers who return to their country of origin after the end of the project. B3.4 Equal opportunities, including for resuming a research career after a break The University and Scientific Research Unit of the Province strives to ensure observance of values such as transparency of the recruitment process and equal treatment of all applicants, in particular with regard to the development of an attractive, open and sustainable labour market for researchers. The members of the Technical and Scientific Committee for Research and Innovation find gender related research and scientific issues important, which will try to be in line with the Commission policy concerning women and research: to ensure that research genuinely meets the needs of women, it is essential to have at least a 40% participation of women at all levels in implementing and managing research programs. The Committee will promote the following activities: - ensure that there will be no gender discrimination in the allocation of the proposals; - promotion of gender awareness and equality issues within the project; 29

30 - assessment of women s participation; - promotion of gender equality. Monitoring of success ratios of men/women Gender statistics: With the aim of monitoring the status of women presence (currently 36%), statistics on the employed scientists in the programme will be collected periodically and the progress that has been made, in terms of gender balance will be analysed and documented. Gender mainstreaming and equality: Gender mainstreaming and equality represents a commitment of the programme, which ensures that women s, as well as men s, concerns and experiences are integral to activities such as research, policy development, programme management or technical assistance activities. Recommendations for redressing work-life balance: The programme recognises the requirement to treat the researcher and employee as a social person. The host institutions are asked to verify that the contract of employment allows for example the parental leave. Other activities: A special session will be organised at the conferences for research, which will discuss and address issues on gender balance. Representatives of women scientists associations will be invited to hold a talk at this session, providing further insight for particular actions. These activities demonstrate that the programme acknowledges the role of women in science as an important topic. Applications from researchers after a career break The programme is open to researchers that want to resume a career in research after a break and to those researchers that want to return to their country of origin (Trentino and Italy) after a national or international mobility. The Committee devotes special attention to those researchers who want to resume their career in Trentino and Italy after a career break or a research period abroad. Furthermore and thanks to the Cofund action, a dedicated call for reintegration will be established. B3.5 Relevance for the European Research Area (ERA) Contribution to the general policy objectives of ERA The Trentino programme is part of a wider development strategy and programme of the PAT based on the knowledge, recognising the promotion and the diffusion of the research and the innovation, as fundamental instruments for the growth of the human capital, for the industry system and of the quality and competitiveness of the whole province. For this aim the PAT intends to: - create a provincial system of research and innovation, integrated and open at national and international levels; - increase the value of the knowledge produced within the territory; - promote initiatives for the innovation of the production system; - stimulate and boost the collaboration among the subjects of the provincial system of research and innovation (research centres, institutes, industries and public administration); - contribute to the strengthening of the competition of all subjects of the system, stimulating them to find external resources; - favour the internationalisation of the research centres, as promoters of possible benefits on the province at different levels, both on the social and on that of the economical development; - promote the diffusion among the subjects of the research system of accountability instruments, like creating a social budget, to communicate and involve the whole provincial community with 30

31 the results obtained. Contribution to the overall objective and expected impact of the action The main objective of the programme is to generate a diverse, mobile, skilled workforce, by providing interdisciplinary skills enabling greater flexibility in future employment, as well as by providing the best learning environment for all researchers, a balance of theoretical, pragmatic, practical and reflective learning environments to ensure that all the researchers achieve their full potential. The post-doctoral research programme or Trentino programme is open to non nationals, non Europeans without any limitation. As stated above it is not possible to exclude local and national researchers in the competition as it is considered as a form of discrimination, but a specific reference to the trans-national element will be added in the selection criteria. Researchers are encouraged to undertake inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary mobility. Local researchers, having studied or worked abroad, can take part in the reintegration procedures and efforts will be done to reintegrate them in the Trentino scientific community. The evaluation and selection methods are as aligned as possible with those of the European Commission and can be considered transparent and effective. All the scientific and technological fields described in the long term research programme are covered with attention to inter- and multidisciplinarities. There is a good administrative capacity and experience to manage the programme and all the effort will be done by the PAT to ask the institutions to adhere to principles of Researcher s Charter and Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers. The training and post-doctoral research programme consists in: 1 Research project expert activities, which consisting in an individual research project well integrated in the overall structure of the institute; 2 Interdisciplinary and intersectorial activities, like workshops, summer schools, international conferences and other interdisciplinary and intersectorial events; 3 Complementary activities, e.g. language courses to improve the researchers communication skills, also by training in essential computer and software skills, project management and team work, grant writing at national and EU level, how to find adequate funding sources for research, writing of scientific, peer-reviewed articles, intellectual property rights and start up activities, knowledge dissemination, awareness of societal and authority perceptions of scientific issues and conflicts. Contribution to the specific ERA goals The action under the Trentino Programme is implemented taking example from the People programme - on the basis of open, quality driven European wide competition, with elements such as the excellence of the project and participants, the impact of the project, and the implementation capacity and quality of the participants as the sole selection criteria. The international dimension, as a fundamental component of human resources in research and development in Europe, is addressed in terms of career development, as well as by strengthening and enriching international cooperation through researchers and attracting research talent, also from Third Countries, to Trentino. The Trentino programme, with its own research policy and structure, strives to be as aligned as possible with the Marie Curie Programme also to avoid fragmentation and inefficient use of resources. It has started in 2001, after the adoption of the European Research Area (ERA) by the Lisbon European Council, with a call for integrated projects and in 2003 with the call for proposals for post-docs and a dedicated call for the opening up of new research centres. 31

32 The basic idea underpinning the ERA is that the issues and challenges of the future cannot be met without much greater integration of Europe s research efforts and capacities. Mobility of scientists is a prerequisite for quality research. Mobility enables scientists to complete their training, to constantly develop their skills and to pursue their career paths in the best possible environment. It raises the general level of research and is a fundamental instrument in a researcher s career. Furthermore the Research Teams aim at providing support for the creation and development of teams which are considered to have the potential to reach a high level of excellence, more particularly for leading edge or interdisciplinary research activities. B3.6 Impact of the programme to the development of the researchers careers in the ERA PAT s role in the European Research Area With specific regard to the post-doc programme the following is the expected impact to the development of the researchers career in the ERA. The PAT in spite of its limits (including its limited size) can contribute to the Europe of knowledge with investments in research and innovation: understanding that the investment in human resources must be done in a global way in order to be able to achieve important results, to overcome the conditioning and to attract new talents from the whole world; working on the peculiar role of the local institutions, since no territory that can become competitive without an active role being played by the institutions; considering the territory as a laboratory, a place where it is possible to do transfer of knowledge, overcoming its limited size, with a creative approach, becoming a territorylaboratory. An investment in the human resources with partnership processes is the future vision. There is a need to work together, to reinforce our scope especially the international one and increase the dimension of the local system, starting with the programme agreements with the University of Trento and the Bruno Kessler and Edmund Mach Foundations, and in the future also with the industries. The role of the industry is very important and it should expand from the point of view of the dynamism and productivity, thus of innovation. 32

33 PART C: C.1 Estimated programme budget The next budget forecast includes all the activities of the Unit. It was approved by the provincial government with p.l. no. 273 of 2008, and it covers the years 2008, 2009 and The table below shows not only the resources allocated to research but also resources allocated by the PAT to various organizations carrying out research (among other activities). The amounts for 2009 and 2010 will be adjusted with the annual budget at the end of 2008 and 2009 respectively. Only at the end of 2008 it is possible to know the exact budget for 2009 and the budget forecast for BUDGET FORECAST FOR RESEARCH (financial plan Euro) Foundation Edmund Mach , , , ,00 Foundation Kessler , , , ,00 Museo di Scienze Naturali , ,00 University of Trento , , , ,00 Calls for projects proposals , , , ,00 Agreements with international, , , , ,00 national and local institutions Industrial enterprises , , , ,00 Technology districts , , ,00 Patents cost , ,00 0,00 0,00 Protontherapy , , , ,00 Total , , , ,00 The actual vision is to invest more in human resources reinforcing the international dimension of the program. An increase in the number of fellows coming from outside Italy is therefore the first objective for the next calls, trying to reach a higher percentage than the actual 25%. The following is the list of the future calls for proposals, described above in more details: Call number Type of project Resercher Min length (year) Max length (year) Admissible cost (keur /year) Call 1 Incoming post-doc post-doc Call 2 Incoming Research Teams researcher Call 3 Outgoing post-doc post-doc 1, Call 4 Outgoing researchers researcher 0, Call 5 Reintegration post-doc post-doc Call 6 Reintegration Research Teams researcher Call 1 for incoming post-doctoral projects with a maximum annual cost of ,00 Euro for each project and an expected participant s number from outside of 6 out of 15 post-docs. Call 2 dedicated to Research Teams, with a maximum annual cost of ,00 Euro for each 33

34 team and an expected participant s number from outside of 3 out of 5 financed project proposals (this programme will not be co-funded). Call 3 for outgoing post-doctoral projects with a maximum annual cost of ,00 Euro for each project and an expected participant s number of 10 researchers. Call 4 for outgoing research projects with a maximum annual cost of ,00 Euro for each project and an expected participant s number of 5 researchers. Call 5 for reintegration post-doctoral projects, with a maximum annual cost of ,00 Euro for each project and an expected participant s number of 5 researchers. Call 6 for reintegration research team projects, with a maximum annual cost of ,00 Euro for each team and an expected participant s number of 5 projects proposals (this programme will not be co-funded).. 34

35 C.2 Financial tables Table 1.1: Yearly breakdown of requested Co-funding (Incoming+Team) Proposal Acronym: Type of mobility: Incoming+Team Year before action Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 TOTAL Action Total budget of calls (committed as a 1,05 2,25 2,25 2,25 6,75 result of calls under that year) (MEUR) of which - own budget 1,05 1,89 2,25 2,01 6,15 - Community contribution 0 0,36 0 0,24 0,60 Fellowship-years selected still open Fellowship-years executed under still open Table 1.2: Yearly breakdown of requested Co-funding (Outgoing) Proposal Acronym: Year before Action Type of mobility: Outgoing action Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 TOTAL Total budget of calls (committed as a 0 0,30 2,10 2,10 4,50 result of calls under that year) (MEUR) of which - own budget 0 0,18 1,26 1,50 2,94 - Community contribution 0 0,12 0,84 0,60 1,56 Fellowship-years selected Fellowship-years executed under Table 1.3: Yearly breakdown of requested Co-funding (Reintegration) Proposal Acronym: Type of mobility: Reintegration Year before action Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 TOTAL Action Total budget of calls (committed as a 0 0,75 3,00 0,75 4,50 result of calls under that year) (MEUR) of which - own budget 0 0,45 3,00 0,55 4,00 - Community contribution 0 0,30 0 0,20 0,50 Fellowship-years selected Fellowship-years executed under

36 Proposal Acronym: Trentino Call type Cost categories (average costs) Reintegratiointegration Re- Incoming Incoming Outgoing Outgoing post-doc Team post-doc researcher post-doc Team Total Living allowance (EUR/year) , , , , , , ,00 Travel cost (EUR/year) 3.500, , , , , , ,00 Research cost contribution (EUR/year) 8.500, , , , , , ,00 Management cost (Eur/year) 3.500, , , , , , ,00 Overheads (EUR/year) max 4.500, , , , , , ,00 TOTAL (EUR/year) , , , , , , ,00 Community contribution (EUR/year) (40% of Total) , , , , , , ,00 Number of eligible fellows Average duration of fellowships (months) Number of eligible fellow-years Total budget (EUR) , , , , , , Community Contribution (EUR) , , , ,

37 Table 3: Summary table of costs (A3.1) Fellowship referenced Total number of fellow Average annual cost Requested Type of mobility TOTAL COST name -years per fellow Contribution 1 Incoming 30 50, ,500, , Outgoing 50 60, ,000, ,200, Outgoing 15 60, , , Re-integration 25 50, ,250, , Total , ,650, ,660, Table 4: Indicative breakdown of costs (A.3.2) Fellowship referenced name Fellowship type Living allowance ( / year) Travel/Mo bility allowance ( / year) Research cost contributi on ( / year) Overheads ( / year) Managem ent ( / year) TOTAL ( / year) EU Contribution (40% TOTAL) N fellows Average duration (months ) N of eligible fellows/ year TOTAL COST ( ) Requested EC contribution ( ) 1 Incoming 30, , , , , , , ,500, , Outgoing 40, , , , , , , ,000, ,200, Outgoing 40, , , , , , , , , Re-integration 30, , , , , , , ,250, ,