Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Call for proposals under the Federal Government’s Strategy for the Internationalization of Science and Research

1 Funding purpose and legal basis

1.1 Objectives of funding

In recent years, Turkey has generated considerable growth in the areas of science and research. This dynamism strengthens research at Turkish universities in particular. Germany has an outstanding position in science and research compared to other countries in Europe and across the world. Better use should therefore be made of the considerable potential for scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries for their mutual benefit.
 
The targeted promotion of German-Turkish higher education collaborations in innovative fields of research aims to give new impetus to this sector, which is expected to intensify R&D relations between partner institutions and to benefit young researchers in particular.
The funding measure is intended as a contribution towards implementing the Internationalization Strategy in science and research.

Apart from conducting joint research projects, the universities involved will also be able to develop and implement practicable cooperation models for activities which are relevant to R&D. The funding, which is provided approximately equally by the BMBF and TÜBITAK, will enable these universities to lay the foundations for lasting R&D partnerships over a period of 3 years.

1.2 Legal basis

Funding will be provided in accordance with the existing legislation and regulations in both countries. Further information is available at the websites or in the documents stated below.
(http://www.internationales-buero.de/_media/Merkblatt.doc).
For further information, please contact the TÜBITAK and IB members of staff, using the contact details given below.

German side: Project grants will be awarded on the basis of private-law funding contracts in accordance with the present funding regulations, the BMBF's standard terms and conditions for grants on an expenditure or cost basis and the administrative regulations under sections 23 and 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO). There is no legal entitlement to funding. The funding provider will make a decision after due assessment of the circumstances and within the framework of the budget funds available.

2 Object of funding

The IntenC programme promotes innovative research projects in areas that are currently of high technological interest or relevance to German-Turkish relations.

Applications in the following areas are particularly welcome

• Climate including geo-research and maritime research
• Energy 
• Environmental technologies
• Health
• Biotechnology
• Transport and mobility
• Communication
• Physical and chemical technologies (including materials research)
• Humanities and social sciences

The proposals described in the applications for joint research projects must furthermore open up concrete prospects for future cooperation, build up networks and establish a foundation for a lasting partnership that exceeds the period of funding.

Preference will be given to the funding of concepts or pilot projects that will intensify cooperation between the universities involved in the following fields:

• the development of joint postgraduate training and/or project-related exchanges of young researchers 
• the development of joint research strategies and the establishment of joint working groups 
• regular expert events / workshops with the aim of creating lasting networks 
• integrating bilateral cooperation into the 7th EU Research Framework Programme through joint project proposals 
• incorporating bilateral networks in European networks as a contribution to the European Research Area

3 Funding recipients

Applications may be submitted by German and Turkish universities. Only joint applications that include at least one partner from each country will be eligible for evaluation.

4 Prerequisites for funding / type, scope and rates of funding

Funds may be awarded in the form of non-repayable project grants.

The duration of the project should not exceed 3 years. German and Turkish partners will receive funding for a period of up to three years up to a maximum of 150,000 euros per partner and country. Grants can be provided to cover all expenditure which serves the implementation of the joint project and is necessary to build up the partnership. This includes travelling expenses, the cost of events, consumables, investments, personnel costs and contracts of employment.

4.1 Exchanges of experts and highly qualified young scientists

Funding will be provided proportionally by the two countries.

The cost of air travel (economy class) to the partner country and subsistence expenses in the partner country will be borne by the sending country according to its national regulations.

4.2 Workshops

For the organization of bilateral workshops, grants will be provided to cover the cost of entertainment and the rental of venues. The amount of the grant depends on the size of the workshop and the number of participants. The German side will bear the costs of events in Germany and the Turkish side will bear the costs of events in Turkey.

4.3 Equipment/consumables/investments

Equipment, consumables and investments can be provided within the framework of achieving the aims of the project.

4.4 Staff costs

Staff costs can be funded within the framework of achieving the aims of the project.

4.5 In general, the following expenses will not be covered in whole or in part

• Normal basic equipment
• Expenses for office supplies and communication, for example
• Laboratory and IT equipment

5 Procedure

5.1 Involvement of the International Bureau/TÜBITAK and request for documents

The BMBF has entrusted the International Bureau with the implementation of the funding activity:

Internationales Büro des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (IB)
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (German Aerospace Center)
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1
53227 Bonn
Internet: http://www.internationales-buero.de

For subject-related information, please contact:
Dr. Akin Akkoyun
e-mail: akin.akkoyun@dlr.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 228-38 21-470

For administrative information, please contact:
Doreen Krüger
e-mail: doreen.krueger@dlr.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 228-38 21-673

Turkish partners must submit a parallel application to the TÜBITAK.

The Turkish partner should contact:
Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey
- TÜBITAK -
Department for International Cooperation
Atatürk Bulvari No. 221
Kavaklidere
06100 ANKARA
TURKEY
Internet: http://www.tubitak.gov.tr/

Hale Hacaloglu
Tel.: +90 - (0)312 - 427 50 39
Tel.: +90 - (0)312 - 468 53 00
Fax: +90 - (0)312 - 427 26 72
E-Mail: uidb@tubitak.gov.tr

5.2 Presentation of formal applications for funding and decision-making procedure

The funding procedure consists of a single step. Applications must be submitted by 31 August 2010.
In addition to the electronic application, a signed version of the final application (finalized in the electronic application) is to be sent by post to the following address by 31 August 2010 (taking into account the deadline!):

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
Internationales Büro des BMBF
Doreen Krüger
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1
53227 Bonn

If you have technical questions concerning the online application process, please contact:

Martina Lauterbach
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
Internationales Büro des BMBF
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1
53227 Bonn
e-mail: martina.lauterbach@dlr.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 228-38 21-734

The deadline for submission is a cut-off deadline. Applications received after the deadline can no longer be considered.

Proposals will be evaluated independently by the German and the Turkish side, with each side using its own procedures. Only proposals approved by both partners will be funded.

The proposals will be evaluated according to the criteria listed below:

• Scientific excellence and aptitude of the applicant (assessment by external referees or expert committee) 
• Originality and plausibility of the approach 
• Human resources development (assessment criteria are inter alia the involvement of post-graduate or PhD students as well as scientists in the early stages of their careers) 
• Chances of success for implementing and achieving the project goals 
• Relevance for the EU integration process (assessment will be based on association with multilateral networks, experience with EU Framework Programmes). 
• Sustainability of the project: Strategy of the partners to build up long-term cooperation

A funding decision will be taken by the International Bureau and TÜBITAK following a final evaluation on the basis of the assessment. All applicants can expect to receive written notification of the results of the selection process in November 2010.

The International Bureau will conclude private-law funding contracts with the successful applicants on behalf of the BMBF and TÜBITAK.

The approval and payment of, and accounting for, the funds as well as proof and examination of proper use and, if necessary, termination of the funding contract and reclaiming of the funds awarded are governed by the administrative regulations pertaining to section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO).

6 Entry into force

These funding regulations will enter into force on the day of their publication in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).

Bonn, 14 June 2010
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
 
Webers