Opportunity deadline: Wednesday, 20 April, 2016

The EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), created by EuroScience in 2004, is the biennial pan-European meeting dedicated to scientific research and innovation. ESOF 2016 be held in Manchester, 23-27 July 2016 and will bring together over 5 000 scientists; business leaders; senior EU and government officials; and international scientific media to discuss the best of European science, to address all of the current major global scientific challenges, including ‘health’, ‘environment’, ‘bio-revolution’ and ‘science in our cultures’, and issues relating science and society and policy.

ESOF provides researchers with a unique opportunity to interact with leading scientists and other stakeholders in science from various scientific fields and gives them the unique opportunity to expand their networks of international contacts and to establish important links with potential collaborators.

The Grant:

EuroScience has been given the opportunity by the Robert Bosch Stiftung to open a call for Travel Grants to support 45 African researchers (or exceptionally research administrators) with their travel, registration and accommodation costs to attend ESOF 2016 in Manchester (23-27 July 2016).

Please keep in mind that the grantee will be reimbursed after ESOF 2016 with a lump sum of € 1600. Depending on travel arrangements, this amount might not cover the total costs incurred. The grant aims to cover:
– Travel costs to Manchester
– Accommodation
– Registration fee to ESOF 2016
– Visa

Eligibility Criteria:

Please be aware of the following eligibility criteria. Applicants should be:
o A national of an African country
o Working preferably on the African continent
o Active in research (universities, research institutes, companies) or exceptionally research administration
o Preferably having a PhD
o Under the age of 42
o Proficient in English

Application procedure:

To submit an application, please follow the link to: https://escmp.euroscience.org/login

Sign into the EuroScience Conference and Membership Platform to create your profile. Click on “Apply for a Grant” and click on ‘Robert Bosch Grants’. Follow the application procedure.

Please be aware of the following documents which are required to upload:

• A filled out word questionnaire
• CV (maximum 2 pages A4)
• A letter of recommendation (max 1/2 page A4) from e.g. a dean, an employer or supervisor

When submitting the application form for travel grants, you agree to the full acceptance of the rules and to the decision taken by the Selection Committee.

The deadline for applications for travel grants is Wednesday, 2o April at 12 pm (noon) CET.

Selection and decision:

The selection will be based on the completed questionnaire, the motivation letter and the recommendation letter.
A decision is taken by the Selection Committee appointed by EuroScience. The Jury will assess candidates according to the benefits they will derive from participating at ESOF, and take into account gender, geographical distribution, disciplinary diversity and a mix of early career and more established applicants.

All candidates will be informed by e-mail whether or not their application has been accepted during the third week of May 2016.

Obligations of grantees:

a) Grantees must confirm by email to magali.devrin@euroscience.org that they accept the travel grant.
b) Once ESOF 2016 has ended, grantees must fill in a feedback report a format for which will be sent to them. The report will include basic questions about the assessment and development of ESOF2016. It should be submitted before 31st August 2016.
c) Grantees can also be asked to do a photo/video report of their stay.
d) A lump sum (stated in the call) for expenses concerning ESOF2016 will be reimbursed by EuroScience after full and precise completion of the feedback report.
e) All expenses covered must be in accordance with the travel guidelines issued by EuroScience.

Further information:

For any further information, please contact Magali.devrin@euroscience.org, or by telephone +33 (0)3 88 24 75 58.

For more about the EuroScience, click here.