Disclaimer: The English text is a courtesy translation. In case of ambiguity, the German text shall prevail.
of 26 November 2015
1 Funding purpose and legal basis
1.1 Funding purpose
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) published its Africa Strategy in 2014 with the aim of cooperating with African partners in order to
- Overcome global challenges
- Create high-quality and sustainable, scientific cooperation structures
- Strengthen regional and continental cooperation
- Strengthen innovative potential and develop markets
as well as to raise Germany's visibility in Africa as a key partner in education and research.
Cooperation will be based on mutual benefit through high-quality work and a focus on jointly defined areas, consideration of (country-)specific African and German interests, partnership and own responsibility as well as continuity and reliability.
The aim of this funding measure is to support collaborations between German universities, non-university research institutions and companies and African partners which contribute to the implementation of the BMBF's Africa Strategy. The focus is on projects which suitably combine joint work on a research topic and its practical application with measures for joint postgraduate training and continuing training in an integrated approach.
This measure is funded by the BMBF and implemented by the DLR1 project management organization and the DAAD2. In addition to the BMBF's Africa Strategy, the framework for implementation of this measure includes the Federal Government's 2008 Strategy for the Internationalization of Science and Research, the BMBF's International Cooperation Action Plan and the 2014 Federal Government Policy Guidelines for Africa. The DAAD's Africa Strategy will also be taken into account.
1.2 Legal basis
The Federal Government will award grants in accordance with these funding regulations, sections 23 and 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO) and the administrative regulations adopted thereunder as well as the BMBF's regulations governing applications for expenditure-based grants (AZA) and/or cost-based grants (AZK). There is no legal entitlement to a grant. The funding authority will take a decision after due assessment of the circumstances and within the framework of the budget funds available.
The funding under these regulations fulfils the requirements of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (General Block Exemption Regulation – GBER) (OJ L 187 of 26.6.2014, p. 1). The funding is therefore compatible with the internal market within the meaning of Article 107(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and exempt from the obligation to inform under Article 108(3) TFEU.
In accordance with Article 1(4)(a) and (b) of the GBER, undertakings which are subject to an outstanding recovery order following a previous Commission decision declaring an aid illegal and incompatible with the internal market are ineligible for funding.
2 Object of funding
Funding is provided for joint research activities, capacity building and utilization measures and measures for postgraduate training and continuing training.
The aim of these funding regulations is to enable research and related graduate training to be carried out in accordance with the BMBF programmes on bioeconomy, sustainable urban development and strategic raw materials with a view to solving three major international challenges that are highly relevant to countries on the African continent. The direct combination of these two components (research and training) is expected to promote the creation of sound knowledge and innovations in the target countries and the provision of training for graduates in these subjects at local African universities and will ideally build, establish and increase research and teaching capacities in the long term. Cross-cutting issues linking the three subject areas will also be addressed.
The results of the funded projects will verifiably lead to innovative problem solutions in the specified fields. By combining research and teaching aspects, the solutions will be ready for immediate adoption in graduate training and capacity-building.
The indicators of delivery include:
- Utilization of the results of research or training modules, e.g. publications, filed patents/property rights/inventions and other measures (e.g. joint development of training programmes and curricula or adaptation of existing curricula based on new training components)
- Development of quality standards in research and training
- Joint supervision of Master theses and of doctoral theses based on graduate training
- Joint provision of continuing training
- Sustainable networking with political and industrial players and stakeholders from NGOs as well as between the funded projects (if appropriate in terms of content)
- Joint follow-up research projects based on BMBF-funded cooperation
Measures will be funded which reflect the thematic priorities of the BMBF's Africa Strategy:
Bioeconomy
Project proposals are expected to make significant contributions to the National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030. Project work in the fields of action should avoid conflicting goals and consider interrelationships (e.g. cultivation of food plants for use in fuel production instead of food production, food vs. fuel dilemma). Attention must therefore be given to the general guidelines of sustainable supply as well as consideration of all uses and entire value creation chains. This includes research on food security through site-adapted agriculture while taking account of climate change and related general conditions, institutions and markets.
Political systems, institutional conditions and socioeconomic decisions are of substantial importance for the development of living conditions in Africa and the world. Research combined with higher education can enable future decision-makers to base their decisions on facts and highlight development options.
Linking rural and urban activities and the related material flows is a research priority in the context of urban development which addresses the above-described problems. Research and related higher education can contribute to structural change and development with a view to the diversification of income sources in rural areas and the development of non-food value chains. The following topics are of key importance:
- Food security through site-adapted agriculture taking account of climate change (including agrobiodiversity, micronutrient shortage)
- General conditions, institutions, markets (socioeconomic aspects like dietary patterns, food safety, post-harvest losses, value chains)
- Urban-rural system (relevance to bioeconomy)
- Non-food value chains
Sustainable urban development
Sub-Saharan Africa is among the world's regions where the pressure for urbanization is highest. In accordance with the Federal Government's 'City of the Future' research and innovation agenda, which the BMBF developed as the responsible government department, the focus will be on key topics which are of particular relevance to Africa. One priority is research on local governance. Another priority is resilient cities, which mainly involves work on particularly challenging problems facing African cities. Further priorities are the examination and development of energy and material flows, including their management and the development of energy system approaches towards local/regional energy autonomy. The following topics are therefore of key importance:
- Research on local governance (strengthening and supporting urban transformation, civil society players as drivers of urban transformation)
- Resilient cities (adaptation to climate change, public health, disaster prevention and control, integrated and sectoral vulnerability and risk analyses)
- Development of energy and material flow management systems (e.g. urban mining)
- Development of energy system approaches towards local/regional energy autonomy (particularly sustainable links between power generation, transport, distribution, storage and efficient consumption, including local resources such as waste products)
Resource management/Raw materials
Project proposals should aim to expand research, development and innovation along the value chain of non-energy mineral resources which are of strategic economic importance (see BMBF research and development programme for new raw material technologies at: https://www.fona.de/mediathek/pdf/Strategische_Rohstoffe_EN.pdf).
This includes enabling the use of secondary raw materials through recycling as well as product design. Industrial participation will be an advantage.
Applications can also be submitted for the funding of research on the governance of raw materials, that is, on how governments manage and regulate the use of mineral resources, and on the environmental and social costs caused by the exploitation of raw materials. It would be desirable for the projects to establish new or consolidate existing raw materials partnerships with African countries.
The following topics are of key importance:
- Value chains of non-energy mineral resources which are of strategic economic importance
- Use of secondary raw materials (of strategic economic importance) through recycling
- Product design
- Establishment/consolidation of raw materials partnerships
- Governance of raw materials
Project outlines which cover several thematic priorities of the call and pursue an integrated approach are especially welcome.
The following applies to all subjects areas: The project outline must clearly describe the goals pursued by the project, which must comply with this call in terms of its overall objective and thematic focus, and it must define measurable indicators of success. The defined objectives must be realistic and convincingly set out in a work and milestone plan. An examination of the suitability of these plans for achieving the objectives will form an integral part of the evaluation of the project outlines. The projects should aim to involve the science service centres for climate change and adaptive land management (WASCAL and SASSCAL) where this seems appropriate in thematic terms.
Each project outline must consist of a "Research" module (Module 1) and a "Postgraduate training and continuing training" module (Module 2).
The following measures, for example, are eligible for funding as part of the joint work on a research topic in Module 1:
- Research activities
- Mobility measures for carrying out the research (e.g. laboratory experiments, field trials, workshops)
- Capacity-building in research management and acquisition (e.g. study visits, courses for drafting research proposals)
- Measures for organizing dialogue processes with policy-makers, industry and NGOs
- Measures for preparing implementation (e.g. user training, surveys on legal conditions, market analyses, feasibility studies)
The following activities are eligible for funding in Module 2:
- Measures which serve to implement the submitted plans in order to develop joint postgraduate training programmes (working meetings, workshops, seminars, summer schools)
- Measures which enable the transfer and application of innovative, interdisciplinary teaching, learning and research methods and instruments (e.g. e-learning)
- Measures which optimize support for students and doctoral candidates (support agreement, provision of services, establishment of a graduate school)
- Measures for quality assurance (e.g. development and safeguarding of common standards)
- Teaching periods for German and African experts at the African host institution
- Implementation of joint project-relevant continuing training programmes on innovative topics from the areas of teaching, organization and administration involving renowned external experts
- Study visits and participation in continuing training programmes for students and doctoral candidates at all the higher education institutions involved for periods of usually up to six months
Care should be taken to ensure close links and a sound balance between both modules.
3 Recipients of funding
Funding is provided to higher education institutions, non-university research institutions, commercial companies headquartered in Germany, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)3, territorial authorities and associations of such authorities, and any other institutions which contribute to research and comply with the purpose and prerequisites of funding. Research institutions which receive joint basic funding from the Federal Government and the Länder can only be granted project funding supplementary to their basic funding to cover additional project-related expenditure or costs under certain preconditions.
4 Prerequisites for funding
Each project outline must be submitted by at least one eligible institution headquartered in Germany together with at least one institution based and doing research in a Sub-Saharan country. Partners from South Africa or from countries in North Africa can only receive funding if at least one other partner from a country in Sub-Saharan Africa is involved. Project outlines involving several German partners and partners from several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are expressly welcome.
Other international research institutions headquartered in Africa can become involved as additional (non-funded) partner institutions. Institutes of the Pan-African University (PAU) and the science service centres for climate change and adaptive land management (WASCAL and SASSCAL) can also become project partners and receive funding under the procedure outlined in section 5 below if the German funding recipient transfers the grant in accordance with No 12 of the administrative regulations pertaining to Section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO).
The following only applies to collaborative projects with German project partners:
Partners in a collaborative project must regulate their cooperation in a written cooperation agreement. Before a funding decision on a collaborative project is taken, the cooperation partners must prove that they have reached a basic agreement on certain criteria stipulated by the BMBF.
Details on funding prerequisites are contained in the information leaflet for applicants/funding recipients on cooperation between partners in collaborative projects (Merkblatt für Antragsteller/Zuwendungsempfänger zur Zusammenarbeit der Partner von Verbundprojekten), BMBF leaflet No. 0110:https://foerderportal.bund.de/easy/easy_index.php?auswahl=easy_formulare; Bereich BMBF -> Allgemeine Vordrucke und Vorlagen für Berichte).
A joint launch event and a mid-term status seminar are planned for the funding measure. The partners are expected to be willing to participate in these events. Relevant travel expenses for German and African partners should be included in cost estimates.
5 Type, scope and rates of funding
Funds will be awarded in the form of non-repayable project grants.
Grants for commercial companies will be calculated on the basis of the eligible project-related costs, up to 50% of which can as a rule be covered by government grants, depending on the project's relevance to application. The BMBF’s policy requires an appropriate own contribution of at least 50% towards the eligible costs incurred.
The calculation of the respective rate of funding must take account of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER). The GBER allows various additional payments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which could in some circumstances lead to a higher rate of funding. In this context, funding is provided only for aid types set out in Article 25 of the GBER. The rates of funding and minimum thresholds set out in the GBER may not be exceeded.
The basis for calculating the grants for higher education institutions, research and science institutions and similar establishments as well as for territorial authorities and associations of such authorities is the eligible project-related expenditure (in the case of the Helmholtz centres and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG), eligible project-related costs), which can receive up to 100% coverage in individual cases.
In the case of research projects at higher education institutions and teaching hospitals, a flat-rate grant amounting to 20% of total expenditure will be awarded in addition to the eligible expenditure in Module 1.
As a rule, German institutions that are eligible for funding can receive up to €800,000 (including a 20% flat-rate grant for higher education institutions and teaching hospitals in Module 1) for a maximum period of up to four years.
The following expenditure/costs will be eligible for funding:
Module 1:
- Travel and stays by German researchers and experts:
The following applies to funding for expenditure/costs incurred for travel by German project participants:
Funding is provided for the expenditure/costs incurred by German experts for travel to and from and stays at the destination in the countries of the African project partners (air tickets: economy class) including necessary visas. A flat-rate daily allowance will be paid for accommodation and meals in accordance with the relevant country list (http://internationales-buero.de/_media/Tagespauschalen_neu.xls).
Furthermore, funding will be provided in well-founded exceptions for the expenditure/costs incurred by German project partners for project-related domestic travel (e.g. launch event and status seminar of the funding measure). Contributions to health insurance and, if applicable, other types of insurance are included in this flat-rate allowance and must be paid by the grant recipients themselves. - Travel and stays by foreign researchers and experts:
The following applies to funding for expenditure/costs incurred for travel by foreign project participants:
Travel to Germany
Funding is provided for the expenditure/costs incurred by foreign experts for travel to and from and stays at the destination in Germany (air tickets: economy class) including necessary visas. Stays in Germany will normally be funded for a maximum period of 3 months per year and person by the German funding provider at a fixed rate of €104 per day or €2,300 per month (where stays last between 23 and 31 days). A per diem rate of €77 will be provided for individual additional days in a subsequent month. The day of arrival and day of departure are counted as one day.
Travel to countries of the African project partners
Funding is provided for the expenditure/costs incurred by African researchers and experts for travel to and from and stays at the destination in the countries of the African project partners (air tickets: economy class) including necessary visas. A flat-rate daily allowance will be paid for accommodation and meals in accordance with the relevant country list (http://internationales-buero.de/_media/Tagespauschalen_neu.xls).
Contributions to health insurance and, if applicable, other types of insurance are included in this flat-rate allowance and must be paid by the grant recipients themselves.
- Flat-rate project grants
Higher education institutions (both public and private) and teaching hospitals (irrespective of legal form) can also obtain a flat-rate project grant equivalent to 20% of direct project expenditure. It should be noted that this project grant is included in the above-mentioned usual maximum funding amount.
- Project-related resources and equipment
Project-related grants for non-cash resources (such as expendables, appliances, project-specific phone and office supplies, transport, literature, rent, contracts, etc.) can be provided for German and African partners. Detailed reasons must be given to establish the need.
- Workshops
Workshops can be funded as follows:
With regard to the organization of bilateral and multilateral workshops in Germany, grants can be provided towards expenses such as the accommodation of the foreign guests, transfers within Germany, thematic preparation of the workshop, hospitality and rental of the venue. The exact amount of the grant depends on the size of the event and the number of foreign guests. In such cases, no per diem allowances (see b) above) will be provided. In well-founded exceptional cases, grants can also be provided towards expenses and costs of events organized in the countries participating in the project.
- Staff costs/expenditure:
German project partners
Project-related expenditure/costs incurred on the German side for student assistants and/or research staff can be funded to a certain extent (generally up to salary grade TVöD/TV-L EG 13).
African project partners
Project-related expenditure/costs incurred on the African side for student assistants and/or research staff can be funded to a certain extent
Funding including the grants for the African partners is paid to the German funding recipient. The African partners will conclude a contract with the German funding recipient concerning the transfer of their grants in accordance with No. 12 of the administrative regulations pertaining to Section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO).
As a rule, no funding will be provided to cover normal basic equipment such as:
- Expenses for office supplies, communication, etc.
- Laboratory and IT equipment
Module 2:
(see DAAD call ( http://internationales-buero.de/_media/DAAD_Foerderrichtlinie_30_07_2015.docx)
- Funding is provided for travel and stays by German researchers and short-term stays by graduates and doctoral students as part of their postgraduate training and continuing training as set out in para a) of Module 1; grants will be awarded to graduates and doctoral students for longer stays (of at least one month) in keeping with the rates of DAAD individual funding.
- Travel and stays by foreign researchers, graduates and doctoral students
Travel to Germany
Funding is provided to researchers, graduates and doctoral students for postgraduate training and continuing training as set out in para b) of Module 1; grants will be awarded to graduates and doctoral students for longer stays (of at least one month) in keeping with the rates of DAAD individual funding.
Travel to countries of the African project partners
Funding is provided to researchers, graduates and doctoral students for postgraduate training and continuing training as set out in para b) of Module 1.
- Non-cash resources
Project-related grants can be provided for non-cash resources (e.g. for the organization of events – including events abroad, public relations expenditure, conference participation fees, etc.).
Fees
Fees can be paid. The DAAD should be consulted and the necessity justified in the application in each individual case.
- Events
Funding is provided for workshops, summer/winter schools, working meetings, conferences, etc. The amount of funding depends on the scope of the event and the number of guests. In such cases, no per diem allowances (see b) above) will be paid.
- Staff costs/expenditure
German project partners
Project-related expenditure/costs incurred on the German side for student assistants and/or research staff can be funded to a certain extent (generally up to salary grade TVöD/TV-L EG 13).
African project partners
Project-related expenditure/costs incurred on the African side for student assistants and/or research staff can be funded to a certain extent. The usual local salaries will be paid.
Funding including the grants for the African partners is paid to the German funding recipient. The African partners will conclude a contract with the German funding recipient concerning the transfer of their grants in accordance with No. 12 of the administrative regulations pertaining to Section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO).
Further financial (including non-cash) contributions by foreign project participants are desirable and must be outlined in the project description under B IV.
6 Other terms and conditions
Module 1:
The Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen auf Kostenbasis des BMBF an Unternehmen der gewerblichen Wirtschaft für FuE4-Vorhaben (Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF to Commercial Companies for Research and Development Projects on a Cost Basis - NKBF98) will be part of the notification of award for grants on a cost basis.
The Allgemeine Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen zur Projektförderung (ANBest-P) (General Auxiliary Conditions for Funds Provided for Projects on an Expenditure Basis) and the Besondere Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen des BMBF zur Projektförderung auf Ausgabenbasis (BNBest-BMBF98) (Special Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF for the Promotion of Projects on an Expenditure Basis) will form part of the notification of award of funds on an expenditure basis.
The Allgemeine Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen zur Projektförderung an Gebietskörperschaften und Zusammenschlüsse von Gebietskörperschaften (ANBest-Gk) General Auxiliary Conditions for Project Grants Awarded to Territorial Authorities and Associations of Territorial Authorities and the Besondere Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen des BMBF zur Projektförderung auf Ausgabenbasis (BNBest-BMBF98) (Special Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF for the Promotion of Projects on an Expenditure Basis) will form part of the notification of award of funds to territorial authorities and associations of such authorities.
The result of the funding measure will be subject to an internal evaluation. For this purpose, a survey and/or joint workshop will be organized to ask the institutions receiving funding about the delivery of objectives. Data collection by the evaluating body should be supported.
Module 2:
The Allgemeine Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen zur Projektförderung (ANBest-P) (General Auxiliary Conditions for Funds Provided for Projects on an Expenditure Basis) and the Besondere Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen des BMBF zur Projektförderung auf Ausgabenbasis (BNBest-BMBF 98) (Special Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF for the Promotion of Projects on an Expenditure Basis) will form part of the notification of award of funds on an expenditure basis.
The result of the funding measure will be subject to an internal evaluation. For this purpose, a survey and/or joint workshop will be organized to ask the institutions receiving funding about the delivery of objectives. Data collection by the evaluating body should be supported.
7 Procedure
7.1 Involvement of a project management organization, application documents, other documents and use of the electronic application system
The BMBF has currently entrusted the following project management organization with implementing the funding measure:
Module 1:
DLR Projektträger
Europäische und Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Heinrich-Konen-Straße 1
53227 Bonn
Germany
Internet: http://www.internationales-buero.de
Contacts:
Contact Southern Africa (excluding South Africa)
Dr. Kerstin Garcia
Phone: +49 228/38 21-1480
Fax: +49 228/38 21-1400
E-mail: kerstin.garcia@dlr.de
Contact East and Central Africa
Stefan A. Haffner
Phone: +49 228/38 21-1899
Fax: +49 228/38 21-1400
E-mail: stefan.haffner@dlr.de
Contact West Africa
Dr. Anja Köhler
Phone: +49 228/38 21-1428
Fax: +49 228/38 21-1400
E-mail: anja.koehler@dlr.de
Contact South Africa
Petra Ruth Vogel
Phone: +49 228/38 21-1461
Fax: +49 228/38 21-1400
E-mail: petra-ruth.vogel@dlr.de
Administrative contact:
Valéry Anton.
Phone: +49 228/38 21-1848
Fax: +49 228/38 21-1400
E-mail: valery.anton@dlr.de
Any modifications will be announced in the Bundesanzeiger (Federal Gazette) or in another suitable form.
Forms for application as well as guidelines, information for applicants and the auxiliary terms and conditions for the award of grants are available at https://foerderportal.bund.de/easy/easy_index.php?auswahl=easy_formulare&formularschrank=bmbf or can be obtained directly from the project management organization.
Module 2:
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
Kennedyallee 50
53175 Bonn
Germany
Internet: http://www.daad.de
Contacts:
Margot Weiler-Wohlfarth
Phone: +49 228/882-514
Fax: +49 228/882-9514
E-mail: weiler@daad.de
Heide Albertin
Phone: +49 228/882-275
Fax: +49 228/882-9275
E-mail: albertin@daad.de
Applicants are recommended to contact the PT-DLR and the DAAD for advice on applications. Both organizations will provide further information and details.
7.2 Two-phase procedure
The procedure consists of two phases.
Applicants must use the 'PT-Outline' electronic outlining tool for drafting project outlines and the 'easy-online' electronic application system for drafting formal proposals.
7.2.1 Submission and selection of project outlines
In the first phase, project outlines containing both modules must be submitted to the project management organization in electronic form in German or English by 1 March 2016 at the latest using the PT-Outline electronic outlining tool (https://secure.pt-dlr.de/ptoutline/SSA2015).
In view of the international evaluation of the application and the internationally oriented structure of the funding priority, it is recommended that the project outline be submitted in English.
It may not be possible to consider project outlines received after the above date.
The project outline must cover both Module 1 and Module 2. Separate and detailed work and time schedules and resources plans including milestones must be drafted for each module.
The project outlines must be structured as follows:
Part A: This is a fixed part of any call for proposals; the information is entered via an online form.
| A.I | Information required for administrative purposes |
| A.II | Budget |
Part B: General description
| B.I | Objectives, excellence and originality of the project |
| B.II | Contribution of the project to the funding objectives stated in 1.1 above and to the respective national, regional or Pan-African development strategies |
| B.III | Interaction between the two modules 'Research' and 'Postgraduate training and continuing training' |
| B.IV | Need for funding and description of own resources contributed by the African partners |
| B.V | Budget |
| B VI | Delivery plan including definition of measurable indicators |
| B .VII | Annexes (CVs of German and African project coordinators and list of their five most important publications) |
Part C: Module 1 Research
An individual project description that is tailored to the call and structured as follows must be submitted for Module 1:
| CI | State of research and technological development; previous work |
| C.II | Detailed description of the methodology and work schedule |
| C.III | Benefit and (economic and/or scientific-technological) use of the results |
| C.IV | Cooperation with third parties |
Part D: Module 2 Postgraduate training and continuing training
An individual project description that is tailored to the call and structured as follows must be submitted for Module 2:
| D.I | Meaningful description of the measures for postgraduate training and continuing training (e.g. study programme, study support programme, training centre) |
| D.II | Relevance to the research project / overall profile |
| D III | Innovativeness (e.g. disciplinary, economic, procedural or gap in demand) |
| D IV | National and international networking (e.g. relevance to internationalization strategy of the higher education institution(s) |
| D V | Non-subject-specific training programmes |
| D VI | Supervisory scheme |
| D VII | Recruitment and selection of candidates |
| D VIII | Time schedule and delivery plan, including measurable objectives which should have been achieved when funding ends |
| D IX | Documentation of arrangements concerning institutional integration signed by the responsible officer at the host university (project site) |
The project description for both modules must be submitted in a single pdf file and can be uploaded in PT-Outline.
The project outline provides the basis for the thematic evaluation of the project. The project description should therefore include assessable information about all relevant points (see structure of the project description). The description should not exceed 15 pages per module (Arial 11, 1.5-spaced).
The German partner is expected to enclose with the application for funding at least a letter of intent regarding cooperation signed by an institution from the African partner countries or country.
The evaluation of the project proposals will include external experts and will be based on the following criteria:
General criteria for both modules
- Fulfilment of the formal prerequisites for funding
- Compliance with the call's funding objectives and with the specified thematic priorities and formal requirements
- Excellent and balanced integrative approach to linking research and postgraduate training
- Appropriateness and need for the requested amount of funding
- Suitability of the planned approach for achieving the objectives including its indicators
Module 1
- Qualifications and expertise of the applicant and the partners involved
- Excellence and originality of the project
- Benefit for the respective national, regional or Pan-African development strategies
- Quality of the cooperation and added value for the partner institutions
- Benefit and (economic and/or scientific-technological) use of the results to be delivered
Module 2
- Institutional integration of the project (preferably within the African institution of higher education)
- Scientific quality, disciplinary and interdisciplinary range of training programmes including a convincing supervisory scheme
- Relevance to political, societal and economic development (regional and cross-regional, see thematic priorities)
- Relevance of training elements to work practice and the labour market (acquisition of key qualifications)
- Innovativeness
- Structural sustainability
- Consideration of the objectives of the Internationalization Strategy
Suitable project ideas will be selected for funding on the basis of the above criteria and evaluation. Applicants will be informed in writing of the results of the selection procedure.
Applicants have no legal claim to the return of their project outlines and of any other documents which they may have submitted in this phase of the procedure.
7.2.2 Submission of formal proposals and decision-making procedure
In the second phase of the funding procedure, the applicants whose project outlines have been successful will be invited to submit formal proposals.
The formal proposals must observe and fulfil any thematic or funding requirements and/or the experts' recommendations for the implementation of the project.
Separate proposals must be submitted for the two modules: proposals for Module 1 to the PT-DLR European and International Cooperation, and proposals for Module 2 to the DAAD.
Procedure for Module 1
Formal proposals must include:
I A detailed (sub)project description
II A detailed work and time schedule
a) Feasibility of the work schedule
b) Plausibility of the time schedule
III Detailed information about the funding required to finance the project (volume/purpose)
a) Appropriateness and need for the requested amount of funding
b) Security of overall financing during the entire project period
The work and financing schedules will be mainly evaluated in accordance with the criteria listed in 7.2.2 (II and III).
The formal proposals must observe and fulfil any thematic or funding requirements and/or the experts' recommendations for the implementation of the project.
When several German partners are involved (collaborative project), the formal proposals of the individual partners must be submitted in consultation with the envisaged coordinator.
Formal proposals must be drafted using the 'easy-online' electronic application system. It is absolutely imperative for applicants to include a project description in German in their formal proposals. The description should not exceed 12 pages.
Guidelines, information for applicants and the auxiliary terms and conditions for the award of grants are available at https://foerderportal.bund.de/easy/easy_index.php?auswahl=easy_formulare&formularschrank=bmbf.
A decision on the provision of funding will be taken after final consideration on the basis of the above criteria and evaluation.
The BMBF reserves the right to seek advice from experts before making the final decision on funding.
A legal claim to funding cannot be derived from the submission of a formal proposal. Applicants have no legal claim to the return of their formal proposals.
Procedure for Module 2
In the second phase of the funding procedure, the applicants whose project outlines have been successful will be invited to submit full formal proposals via the 'DAAD-Portal' (https://portal.daad.de).
Formal proposals must include:
I A detailed (sub)project description
II A detailed work and time schedule
a) Feasibility of the work schedule
b) Plausibility of the time schedule
III Detailed information about the funding required to finance the project (volume/purpose)
a) Appropriateness and need for the requested amount of funding
b) Security of overall financing during the entire project period
The work and financing schedules will be mainly evaluated in accordance with the criteria listed in II and III.
The formal proposals must observe and fulfil any thematic or funding requirements and/or the experts' recommendations for the implementation of the project.
When several German partners are involved (collaborative project), the formal proposals of the individual partners must be submitted in consultation with the envisaged coordinator.
Formal proposals must be drafted using the 'DAAD-Portal' electronic application system. It is absolutely imperative for applicants to include a project description in German in their formal proposals. The description should not exceed 12 pages.
A legal claim to funding cannot be derived from the submission of a formal proposal. Applicants have no legal claim to the return of their formal proposals.
7.3 Provisions to be observed
Questions concerning the approval and payment of and accounting for funds as well as proof and examination of proper use and, if necessary, revocation of the award and reclaiming of the funds awarded are governed by the administrative regulations pertaining to section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO) and sections 48 to 49a of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG), unless deviation is permitted under the present funding regulations.
8. Entry into force
These funding regulations will enter into force on the day of their publication in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).
Bonn, 26 November 2015
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Peter Webers
1 DLR – German Aerospace Center
2 DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
3 According to the EU’s definition of SMEs: The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises consists of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 people and which have either an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million, or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million. Within this category, the following definitions apply: Small enterprises are defined as enterprises which employ fewer than 50 persons and whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet total does not exceed €10 million. Micro enterprises are defined as enterprises which employ fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet total does not exceed €2 million. In general, most SMEs are autonomous since they are either completely independent or have one or more minority partnerships (each less than 25%) with other enterprises. If that holding rises to no more than 50%, the relationship is deemed to be between partner enterprises. Above that ceiling, the enterprises are linked. This definition of SMEs is based on Annex I of Regulation (EU) No. 65/2014.
