AGROPOLIS FONDATION Call for Proposals 2015 Open Science - Training and Higher Education [Ref. CfP 2015-01] TERMS OF REFERENCE 21 JANUARY 2015 Introduction Agropolis Fondation s mission is to promote and support interdisciplinary and integrated approaches in plant biology, ecology, production and transformation systems, products and uses that address development issues concerning the North and the South, particularly (1) the increasing demand for plants and plant by-products both for food and non-food applications; (2) the interaction between climate change and crops; and (3) the prevention and management of risks related to crop and food systems. It involves a scientific network composed of 37 research units, the "Labex Agro", specializing in plant research at various levels from genes to environments and to final uses. The network brings together about 1400 scientists and 600 PhD students and covers a wide range of disciplines, i.e., from biotechnical to social sciences, with recognized expertise in temperate, tropical and Mediterranean regions. One of the driving forces of the Labex Agro scientific community is the synergy between higher education and research. In order to identify relevant actions to be implemented in this domain, the Foundation has set up a Training and Higher Education Committee (Agropolis Fondation THEC). The THEC has identified three main objectives: (i) to enhance attractiveness of the Labex Agro community in the domain of higher education; (2) to promote knowledge sharing and exchange at all levels; (3) to boost the employability of alumni and trainees. These objectives have been translated, based on the Labex Agro project document and on THEC analysis, into five main actions: support to initiatives for innovative teaching content (modules and/or courses), e.g. promoting the exploitation and dissemination of research findings; support to initiatives for innovative pedagogical tools; support to international pedagogical initiatives (knowledge sharing, networking, joint degree programme); contribution to capacity strengthening of Labex Agro partners in developing countries; development of continuing education programmes. A preliminary Call for Ideas, published in early December 2013, provided an overview of the various types of projects the Labex Agro Community intends to submit which then served as inputs in developing the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the first Call. This Call builds on the previous CfP and prospective applicants are invited to consult the list of proposals funded under this first Call to avoid duplication (web link) 1
Objective of the Call The objective of the present Call for Proposals is to support projects dedicated to training and higher education in the domain of "agronomy for sustainable development", thus contributing to position the Labex Agro community, in Montpellier and Avignon, Narbonne, Perpignan, La Reunion, as major European and international destinations for training and education in the thematic domains of Agropolis Fondation. Submitted projects must contribute to the diversity, quality and innovativeness of capacity building actions being offered by the Labex Agro scientific community and its partners, in terms of content and/or pedagogical tools. These may aim at strengthening emerging topics not sufficiently covered by current programmes, but being of relevance to the Foundation and to the Labex Agro. These may aim at developing innovative pedagogical tools not sufficiently mobilized by current programmes. These may aim at developing international capacity building actions in collaboration with foreign partners. Thematic coverage 1. This Call will fund pedagogical projects focusing on any of the following thematic research domains covered by Agropolis Fondation and its Labex Agro scientific community, namely: Genetics and genomics, plant breeding, eco-physiology; Plant pests and diseases, integrated crop protection, plant population ecology; Agro-ecosystems, agri-environmental innovations and natural resources management (including ecosystem services and farming systems) Agri-food innovations, food and non-food uses of crops; Innovation processes and social management of innovations; linkages between agriculture and society, including governance, local knowledge and practices, and mobilizing social sciences 2. Projects cross-cutting several of these domains are encouraged. Eligibility 3. Only proposals that fall within the thematic coverage described above are eligible. 4. The lead proponent should be a permanent scientist from one of the research units belonging to the Foundation s scientific network (Labex Agro) 1. 5. Scientists or training and education specialists from research units or training and education institutions outside of the Foundation s scientific network can participate as partners. 6. A scientist and/or education specialist from a Labex Agro Research Unit (UMR) can coordinate only one project funded under this specific CfP. 1 For the list of the Foundation s research units, please visit http://www.agropolis-fondation.fr/uk/about-us/research-unitleaders.html. Interested parties are highly encouraged to contact directly the concerned research unit(s) in writing. 2
7. In order to strengthen collaborations between research units and thematic domains, submitted projects must, as a general rule, mobilize more than one research unit from the Labex Agro scientific network. Exemptions can be considered if duly justified. Project types, cost and duration 8. Up to 1M is available for this CfP which will support four types 2 of projects in the area of training and higher education: a) Full Projects may include actions from exploratory and design phase to development and testing of pedagogical approaches and resources Level of funding per project: From 50K (minimum) up to a maximum of 200K Overall funding available: from 760K to 800K Project duration: Maximum 2 years b) Ecole Chercheur which aims to gather scientists, education specialists, students, professionals from various disciplines and thematic domains around a common scientific topic, in order to facilitate training, learning of new concepts, methods and tools, knowledge sharing, as well as to stimulate interactions, exchanges and further collaborations. Level of funding per project: 20K maximum Overall funding available: from 60K to 100K Project duration: Maximum 1 year c) Exploratory/Pre-feasibility Projects that aim at exploring or testing an idea on pedagogical approaches and/or opportunities of collaboration with other training and higher education institutions outside the Labex Agro community. Level of funding per project: 20K maximum Overall funding available: 100K Project duration: Maximum 1 year d) Proposal development in order to support a research unit s preparation in responding, as a Coordinator, to other international Calls for Proposals in the field of training and higher education (e.g., Erasmus+): Level of funding: Maximum of 10K Overall funding available: 40K Project duration: Maximum 6 months 9. Projects may include, but are not limited to, the conception, development and trial runs of training courses, modules or whole cursus, support tools (including distance learning materials); shared portal of training courses; training of trainers; use/reinforcement of scientific platforms in order to introduce and/or strengthen educational activities linked to research; organization of Ecole Chercheur; use of research findings in the development of teaching courses, modules and support tools. 10. For each category, the proposal should specify the target public (e.g., MSc, PhD, Post-doc, etc.). Mention should also be made as regards the type of diploma, certification, credits, or other documents that will be obtained by participants from attending the proposed training courses. 11. Co-funding from project partners is highly encouraged. Proposals involving partner institutions should provide a letter of commitment in supporting the project if selected for funding. 12. Proposals exceeding the maximum level of funding specified in each category as specified in item 8 above will not be evaluated and will be disqualified. 2 The proponents should use the appropriate Application Form in submitting their proposals. 3
Eligible expenditures 13. Eligible costs are restricted to expenditures directly related to the project, such as: Personnel recruitment costs (temporary personnel to be specifically involved in the project) Consultancies and services subcontracted specifically for the project Limited laboratory equipment costs for technological platform needed to initiate and/or enhance capacity building actions, e.g., training and teaching. (Nb: The Foundation highly encourages pooling resources and equipment) Limited information technology and related equipment, e.g., hand-held video, digital camera, etc. (Nb: The Foundation highly encourages pooling resources and equipment) Limited consumable items Publication and dissemination costs, including cost related to organization of events Translation cost Travel expenses (for project implementation, trainers, training of trainers) Overheads (max 8% of the overall requested amount) 14. No more than 30% of the total project cost should be transferred to partners outside of the Foundation s scientific network (Labex Agro). 15. Non-eligible costs include items such as: Expenditures linked to internal services Salaries of staff that are not specifically recruited for the project Expenditures linked to existing infrastructure Expenditures already funded through other sources Training fees of students/researchers/scientists attending training courses Travel and subsistence expenses of students/researchers/scientists attending training courses 16. The project s full cost must be presented including counterparts from the applicants and their partners in the Financial Annex. 17. In the case of a proposal that is only partially funded through this CfP, the proponents should provide all elements concerning funding of the other part of their project (acquired, submitted, and/or planned funding request). Funding under this Call is conditional; subject to the proponents success in mobilizing the necessary funding required to complete the overall project. 18. In the case of a proposal that is a standalone project contributing to a larger project or programme, the proponents should provide all elements concerning the objectives, organization and overall funding of the larger project (i.e., acquired, submitted, and/or planned funding request). Evaluation process and criteria 19. Full Projects shall be evaluated by two external experts and reviewed by the Foundation s Science Council on the basis of the criteria below (see Application Form-Full Project): Overall project coherence and feasibility (i.e., clarity of objectives and expected outputs, robust methodology, proposed timetable, project management and coordination, project leadership, etc.) Relevance of the subject/topic of proposed training Originality and innovativeness of the topics and methodological or learning approaches proposed Multidisciplinary nature of proposed actions 3 3 Whether proposed project (a) covers one or a combination of thematic research domains covered by Agropolis Fondation and its Labex Agro, i.e., Genetics and genomics, plant breeding, eco-physiology; Plant pests and diseases, integrated crop 4
Partnership quality and relevance (e.g., balanced involvement of partners, potential involvement of actors from the South, potential collaborations with other Labex in Montpellier - CeMEB, NUMEV,... - or elsewhere) Structuring effect within the Labex Agro community as well as complementarities with existing initiatives Positioning of the project vis-à-vis existing teams and institutions (e.g., École Doctoral, universities, ) involved in teaching and training and their respective programmes Visibility and international dimension (in terms of objectives, target students, activities), and potential benefits for developing countries (e.g., accessibility, relevance of the topic, stakeholder involvement, etc.) Project trajectory (i.e., strategic positioning and ambition) and sustainability (i.e., How will the proposed actions be sustained beyond project funding? How will these be mainstreamed in the activities of the institutions involved in the project? Any cost-recovery or other mechanisms to be put in place?) Strong justification as to why the Foundation, through its Label Agro programme, should fund the proposed project; Project s potential leverage effect Clarity of project management and coordination Budget adequacy 20. Proposals for the organization of École Chercheur shall be evaluated by the Foundation s Science Council on the basis of the following criteria (see Application Form- École Chercheur): Strategic nature training course (e.g., in terms of topic, target participants, partnership, etc.) Originality and innovativeness of the training course (i.e., topic, approach, etc.) Potential structuring effect and complementarities with other training courses Potential to attract international participants Partnership with other training and higher education institutions Sustainability (i.e., How will the proposed École Chercheur be sustained beyond project funding? What actions shall be taken to make sure that this will not be a one-time operation?) Strong justification as to why the Foundation, through its Labex Agro programme, should fund the proposed project, potential leverage effect Budget adequacy 21. Exploratory/Pre-feasibility Projects shall be evaluated by the Foundation s Science Council on the basis of the following criteria (see Application Form-Exploratory Project): Strategic nature of the proposed action (in terms of topic, partnership, etc.) Originality and innovativeness Potential structuring effect and complementarities with existing initiatives Feasibility and prospects post AF-funding scenario Strong justification as to why the Foundation, through its Labex Agro programme, should fund the proposed project, potential leverage effect 22. Requests for funding to support Proposal development in response, as a Coordinator, to international Calls for Proposals on training and higher education shall be evaluated by the Foundation s Science Council on the basis of the following criteria (see Application Form-Proposal Development) Strategic nature of the topic of the proposal to be developed (in terms of topic, partnership, etc.) Originality and innovativeness Overall potential/likelihood of success Proposed actions to develop the proposal Strong justification as to why the Foundation, through its Labex Agro programme, should fund the proposed project, potential leverage effect protection, population ecology; Agri-environmental innovations, agri-ecosystems and resources management; Agri-food innovations, food and non-food uses of crops; Innovation processes, social management of innovations; (b) appropriately involves, to the extent possible, various disciplines (e.g., biological, engineering, social sciences and humanities,...). 5
Submitting proposals and provisional Calendar 23. All submitted proposals must be written in English. 24. Proponents should submit a duly completed Application Form, including applicable annexes (as described in the Application Form for the type of project submitted for funding) in Word and Excel format as well as in PDF format. 25. Proposals exceeding the maximum level of funding specified in each category as specified in item 8 above will not be evaluated and will be disqualified. Likewise, incomplete and late submissions, those exceeding the maximum number of pages allowed as well as those that do not respect the required format (e.g., font type and size) will not be considered eligible and will not evaluated. 26. Proposals should be submitted electronically to Agropolis Fondation at cfp2015-01@agropolis.fr on or before the deadline specified below. 27. Agropolis Fondation shall not be held responsible for submissions not received due to technical problems preventing the transfer of proposals electronically. 28. By submitting a proposal, the project coordinators assure that they have obtained the approval of their managing authorities and of all the participants involved in the project. 29. Below is the calendar for this Call: 21 January 2015 Opening of the Call for Proposals 17 July 2015 Deadline for the submission of proposal Late and/or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. November 2015 Publication of results Documents available online All documents related to the present Call for Proposals are available online at the following website: http://www.agropolis-fondation.fr/uk/supporting-science/call-for-proposals.html 6