16 February 2015

1. Funding purpose and legal basis

1.1 Funding purpose

On the occasion of the closing event of the "German-Egyptian Year of Science and Technology 2007" in Berlin, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Egyptian Ministry of Scientific Research (MoSR) agreed to establish a German-Egyptian Research Fund (GERF) for the support of joint application-oriented research projects.

With the aim of promoting bilateral research cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, grants are to be provided to give researchers - including young scientists - an opportunity to address new areas of scientific research. Research results generated in these projects are to be developed into concrete applications. In addition, a further aim of the joint research fund is to help scientific networks to apply for funding under the EU's HORIZON2020 Research Programme or under national funding schemes.

The STDF and the BMBF announced three open calls for proposals under the GERF in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Due to the high number of research proposals of great scientific merit submitted, both sides decided to nearly triple the fund for the first call for proposals.
Both sides have now agreed to announce a further joint call for proposals in the frame of the German Egyptian Research Fund (GERF) for the support of innovative, application-oriented research projects.

     

1.2 Legal basis

Project grants will be awarded in accordance with the present announcement, the BMBF's standard terms and conditions for grants on expenditure or cost basis and the administrative regulations under sections 23 and 44 of the German Federal Budget Code (BHO). Applicants have no legal claim to a grant. The funding provider will make a decision at its own proper and dutiful discretion and within the framework of the budget funds available.

This announcement is based on the ‘Declaration Concerning the Establishment of a Joint Fund in the Field of Applied Research' of 2007. Funding will be awarded in accordance with the respective national project funding regulations applicable in Egypt and Germany [cf. Section 6 of this announcement].

2. Object of funding

The aim of this fourth joint announcement is to fund and support joint innovative, application- oriented research projects. Applicants are particularly encouraged to submit proposals in the following fields:

• Food Production and Food Safety
• Management of Water Resources
• Renewable Energy
• Environmental Research
• Material Sciences and Nanotechnology: Risk Assessment and Impact on man and Environment
• Robotics and Mechatronics
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Transportation and Urban Planning

The announcement is open to researchers of all disciplines. Emphasis is given to joint projects including an interdisciplinary dimension and studying also the economic and social dimension of the aforementioned fields.

Special emphasis is put on cooperation between different partners in the area of R&D, their scientific qualifications, and the participation of industry partners. For this reason, project consortia should, if possible, include universities, public authorities, R&D institutions and companies in charge of the commercial application of applied research results.

An important additional asset for research proposals is the participation of young researchers.

Measures for the promotion of export activities will not be funded under this call.

3. Funding recipients

German-Egyptian research teams based at public or non-public Egyptian and German research organizations, public or non-public institutions of higher education, non-university research institutions or commercial companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and non-governmental and civil society organizations [cf. Section 6 of this announcement] are eligible for funding.*

Research institutions that 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 expenditure under certain preconditions.

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

Funds can be granted through project funding as non-repayable subsidies.

Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves – in their own interest – with the Research Framework Programme of the European Union in the context of the planned national project. They should examine whether the planned project includes specific European components which make it eligible for exclusive EU funding. Furthermore, they should examine whether an additional application for funding can be submitted to the EU in the context of the planned national project. The outcome of this check should be described briefly in the national application.

Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with the Consolidated Plan of Action of the African Union (CPA), the funding programmes of the BMBF and the STDF, the EU-Africa Strategy and related measures under European funding programmes when preparing the planned project.

Grants for industrial companies are calculated on the basis of the eligible project-related costs, which are generally financed up to 50% depending on how practically oriented the project is. The BMBF’s policy requires that these companies contribute at least 50% towards the eligible costs incurred.

Grants for universities, research and science institutions and similar establishments are calculated on the basis of the eligible project-related expenditure (grants for Helmholtz centres and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG) are calculated on the basis of the eligible project-related costs) that can be individually funded up to 100%.

The European Commission's Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development must be taken into account when calculating the respective funding ratio. This Community Framework allows a differentiated bonus arrangement for collaborative projects involving applicants in the new German Länder and for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which may result in a higher rate of funding.

On the Egyptian side, the Principal Investigator (PI) must be affiliated to an institution which has an Egyptian legal identity.

The German-Egyptian teams of researchers have to consist of at least one Egyptian and one German researcher. The project partners on both sides must structure their cooperation in the following way: One of the partners on each side acts as the Principal Investigator (PI); further partners on each side participate in the joint research project by concluding a cooperation agreement with the PI on each side.

Before the beginning of the project, the project partners must conclude legally binding cooperation agreements and agree on appropriate measures for the protection of intellectual property in accordance with the laws of both countries and the regulations of the funding organizations on both sides.

The institutions / organizations involved are required to confirm the submitted application by officially stamping and signing the declaration form. Project proposals that reveal differences in content between the two sides will not be considered.

Further Eligibility Criteria:

• The maximum total budget is € 200,000 per joint project.
• The maximum duration of a project is 24 months.

The applicants on both sides are asked to contact the Project Management Agency (PT) International Bureau (IB) of the BMBF and the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) or the DAAD Office Cairo before submitting their proposals.

On the German side, the following expenditures will be eligible for funding:

1. Travel expenses for scientists/experts visiting project partners in Egypt, including transfers and subsistence costs:
   • Air tickets: economy class
   • Per diem for scientists/experts: € 94 for accommodation and meals
2. Staff:
   Project-related costs for students, administrative and/or scientific staff are eligible for funding.
3. Equipment:
   Project-related subsidies will be granted for equipment (expendable items, devices, business needs, transportation expenses, literature, rents, orders, etc.) in duly justified exceptional cases and on a limited scale.
4. Workshops:
   Workshops with already known partners or workshops aimed at opening up new cooperation potential can be supported in the following ways: Grants will be provided towards material expenses incurred in the organisation of bilateral workshops in Germany including the accommodation of foreign guests, the transfer within Germany, the preparation of the workshop, entertainment and the rental of the venue. The amount of the grant depends on the size of the workshop and the number of foreign guests. No daily allowances (cf. 4.1) will be paid in such cases.
5. Lump-sum for projects (20%) for the benefit of universities and university hospitals
6. In principle, costs for basic equipment are neither covered nor eligible for funding; this includes:
   1. expenditure on e.g. office stationery or communication
   2. laboratory and computer equipment

On the Egyptian side, the following expenditures will be eligible for funding:

• Cost of equipment (up to 25% of the total budget provided by STDF)
• Salaries
• Outreach activities
• Travel costs (up to 10% of the total budget provided by STDF)
• Indirect costs (please refer to STDF’s “Budget Table” found on http://www.stdf.org.eg for instructions on the calculation of indirect costs)

5. Procedure

5.1 Involvement of the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) and International Bureau (IB) and request for documents.

The Egyptian MoSR and the BMBF have commissioned the following agencies to carry out this call for proposals and implement the funding measures: the STDF for Egyptian applicants and the International Bureau of the BMBF (IB) for German applicants:

Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF)
101 Kasr El Aini Street, 2nd floor/ Cairo/ Egypt
Internet: http://www.stdf.org.eg/

Operation officer at Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF):
Ms Ghada Ghaleb
E-mail: ghada.ghaleb@stdf.org.eg  
Phone: +20 2 27 92 50 81
Fax: +20 2 27 92 50 80

And

Internationales Büro des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
im Projektträger beim Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1
53227 Bonn
Internet: http://www.internationales-buero.de

Scientific officer at the International Bureau:
Susanne Ruppert-Elias
E-mail: Susanne.Ruppert-Elias@dlr.de
Phone: +49 (0)228 3821 1487
Fax: +49 (0) 228 3821 1490

Administrative contact at the International Bureau:
Silva Luthin-Geier
E-mail: Silva.Luthin-Geier@dlr.de
Phone: 02 28-38 21- 1828
Fax: 02 28-3821-1490

When preparing their applications, all applicants are advised to get in touch with the responsible contact persons at the above-mentioned institutions and with the Cairo office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) at an early stage.

Contact person for subject-related information at the DAAD Cairo office:
Ms Petra Bogenschneider/Programme Coordinator
11, Sh. Saleh Ayoub; Zamalek, Kairo, Ägypten
E-mail: Petra.Bogenschneider@daadcairo.org
Tel.: +20 2 27 35 27 26 - Ext.135 - Fax: +20 2 27 38 41 36
Internet: http://cairo.daad.de

5.2 Submission of formal funding applications and decision-making procedure

The submission of an application does not establish a legal claim to funding.

Funding will be provided for projects that have high potential for realization and success in line with the objectives of this call.

The procedure consists of two stages.

5.2.1 First Stage: Submission of draft proposals

On the German side

In the first stage, draft proposals are to be submitted in English (in pdf format, 10 - max. 15 DIN A4 pages/ Arial 11, 1.5 line spacing, 2 cm margin, excluding publication list and other annexes but- including the cover page) by 8 April 2015 at the latest, using the electronic system PT-Outline (http://www.pt-it.de/ptoutline/application/EGYGERF2014). A legally binding and signed version of the draft proposal is also to be sent to the International Bureau.

A summary in German language must be included.

Additionally, on the German side, all further required application documents [cooperation agreement, legally binding declarations from the institutions; for further information see section 4 of this announcement] must be submitted as part of the proposal and sent in parallel by registered mail to the International Bureau of the BMBF no later than 15 April 2015 (as evidenced by the date on the postmark).

On the Egyptian side

On the Egyptian side, registration in the STDF website (http://www.stdf.org.eg/) is first required. All Project Proposals and relevant documents should then be uploaded by 8 April 2015 at the latest. Please note that the proposal in addition to all documents (including scanned copies of signed and stamped institution endorsements) should be uploaded as a single PDF file. Hard copies will be required for proposals approved for funding by the joint evaluation process.

On Egyptian and German sides

The draft proposal is subject to the scientific and specific evaluation of the project. The project description should therefore contain comprehensive evidence to all positions of the outline structured as follows:

• Part A) Information for administrative purposes. These data fields are regular components of all proposals and, on the German side, are entered in an internet form.
• Part B) An individual, call specific project description, with the following topics:

The applicant must describe the project objectives and the actions necessary for implementing the project as clearly as possible, addressing the following subjects in the order given below:

• Cover page - stamped and signed in a legally binding manner by both the Egyptian PI and the German PI and by the institutions - with project title in Arabic, German, and English
• Abstract in Arabic, German, and English
• Background
• Project description and methodology
• Description of the current state of the art of science and technology
  • Scientific goal
  • Nature and extent of the proposed cooperation and methodology to be used
  • Activities that will be undertaken
  • Envisaged results
• Project partners
  • Qualifications and experience of the project partners
  • Added value of cooperation between the partners
  • If applicable: previous cooperation activities
• Structured financing plan
  • A detailed budget plan (in euros) with a break-down of the expected expenditure/costs, which should be justified and relevant to the proposed activities. (For Egyptian applicants: use STDF budget format available at: http://www.stdf.org.eg/)
  • Detailed information on the applicants' own funding contributions and the total volume and funding volume of the proposed project
• Work plan
  • Time schedule and milestones (on the Egyptian side: including GANTT chart, available at: http://www.stdf.org.eg/)
  • Distribution of the work load between the partners
• Dissemination and sustainability of the results
  • Prospects of commercializing and using the envisaged project results
  • Other utilization plans
• Prerequisites, risks and contingency plans
  • Annexes (including reference list, the most recent publications in the relevant field including the most important relevant publications/patents of the project partners and biographies)
  • On the Egyptian side: include Logical Framework Matrix (LFM), available at: http://www.stdf.org.eg/

The cover page of the submitted proposals must be signed by both the Egyptian PI and the German PI. Scanned signatures from both the Egyptian and German partners are sufficient at this stage.

Please note! In the first phase, it is essential that the draft proposals are structured as mentioned above. Applications which do not correspond to these criteria will be excluded from the selection procedure.

Please note! On the German side, the project description (Part B) can be uploaded only as a single document in PT-Outline (word or pdf-document). Please indicate the project ID number, which will be provided to you after submitting the finalized project proposal electronically via PT-Outline, on all documents and annexes.

5.2.2 Second Stage: Submission of formal applications

In the second stage, German-Egyptian research teams with draft proposals that have been evaluated positively will be informed on both sides accordingly. Additionally, on the German side, applicants whose draft proposals have been evaluated positively will be invited to submit - in coordination with the designated project coordinator - a formal application for funding on which a decision will be taken after a final evaluation. To draft formal applications for funding, applicants must use the BMBF’s electronic application system “easy”. Forms for funding applications, guidelines, instructions, information and supplementary provisions can be found under https://foerderportal.bund.de/easy/easy_index.php?auswahl=easy_formulare&formularschrank=bmbf or can be obtained directly from the project management organisation.

The application is to be sent to the following address (taking into account the deadline for submission):

Internationales Büro des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (IB)
im Projektträger beim Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)

Susanne Ruppert-Elias + Silva Luthin-Geier
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1
53227 Bonn

In case of technical questions regarding the internet-based application (but not in case of content-wise questions referring to the announcement), please contact:

Internationales Büro des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (IB)
im Projektträger beim Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
Thorsten Krämer/ Horst Leiser

Heinrich-Konen-Straße 1 53227 Bonn

Phone: 02 28/38 21-20 40

E-mail: PT-Outline-IB@dlr.de

The deadline for submission is a cut-off date. Applications received after this date will, as a rule, not be considered.

5.3 Evaluation criteria

On both sides, the submitted draft proposals will be checked against the eligibility criteria. Proposals which do not comply with all the formal requirements will be considered “ineligible” and will not be considered for technical evaluation. Eligible applications for funding will be evaluated by independent and external experts on the German as well as on the Egyptian side according to the following criteria:

• Quality and originality of the envisaged research approach
• Qualifications and previous experience of the project team
• Quality of the planned collaboration and recognizable value added for the partner institutions
• Success prospects and sustainability of the project
• Expected impact of the project on society and economy and prospects of commercializing the envisaged project results
• Quality of the budget plan and justification
• Cost effectiveness in relation to the envisaged results
• Relevance of the research topic to the research objectives and priorities of the call

Funding decisions will be made after a final review of the applications based on the evaluation criteria mentioned above. The final selection of applications that have received a positive evaluation will be undertaken by an Egyptian-German Steering Committee. Only applications that are approved by both sides will receive funding.

Applicants will be informed in writing about the result of the selection process.

5.4 Contracting and reporting

The STDF and the IB of the BMBF will conclude grant agreements with the selected applicants in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations [cf. Sections 6 of this announcement]. The agreements will not be signed before December 2015. The projects should start within three months after the signing of the agreements.

In compliance with the contract, it is expected that the Principal Investigators on both sides participate in a kick-off or / and an evaluation meeting respectively. The expected costs for travel and accommodation have to be planned within the submitted project budget.

The first joint report must be submitted to the STDF by the Egyptian PI and to the IB by the German PI three months after the project’s official starting date. Submitted reports must be signed by both PIs of a research teams. In addition, the quality of the cooperation between both research teams must be described briefly. Further joint reports [cf. Sections 6 of this announcement] must be submitted in the described way.

6. Other grant regulations

6.1 Parts of the notification of award for grants

On the German side, the General Auxiliary Conditions for Grants Provided for Projects on an Expenditure Basis (ANBest-P) and the Special Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds provided by the BMBF for the Promotion of Projects on Expenditure Basis (BNBest-BMBF98) will form part of the notification of award of grants on an expenditure basis. The Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds provided by the BMBF on a Cost Basis (NKBF98) will be part of the notification of award for grants on a cost basis. The BMBF reserves the right to stipulate regulations in the grant agreement which deviate from paragraph 7 and 8 of the BNBest-BMBF 98 or paragraph 12 and 13 of the NKBF 98 when transferring the right of use of the research results.

6.2 National project funding regulations in Egypt and Germany

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 grant agreement and reclaiming of the funds awarded are governed, on the German side, by the administrative regulations pertaining to Section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO), unless deviation is allowed under the present funding regulations, and, on the Egyptian side, by the administrative regulations of the STDF.

Egyptian applicants will receive funding in Egyptian pounds and German applicants will receive funding in euros.

Each side must cover its own travel and accommodation costs.

Grants for Egyptian applicants will be awarded in accordance with this announcement and all relevant Egyptian laws and financial rules. The STDF’s standard terms and conditions for grants apply.

7 Entry into force

This announcement will enter into force on the date of publication in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger). In Egypt, this announcement will enter into force on the date of publication on the STDF website (www.stdf.org.eg).

Bonn, Cairo, 16 February 2015

For the
Federal Ministry of Education and Research Federal Republic of Germany

On behalf of
Webers

 

For the

Science and Technology Development Fund
Arab Republic of Egypt

Prof. Amr A. Adly (Fellow, IEEE)
Executive Director, STDF

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^*In accordance with the EU’s definition of SMEs: The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 employees and which have an annual turnover not exceeding € 50 million, and/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 and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed € 10 million. A micro-enterprise is defined as an enterprise which employs fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover and/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, which have one or more minority stakes (see 2.3.1, p. 16). If that holding rises to no more than 50%, the relationship is deemed to be between partner enterprises (see 2.3.2, p.20). Above that ceiling, the enterprises are linked (see 2.3.3, p.23). Source: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/enterprise_policy/sme_definition/sme_user_guide_de.pdf  and http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/sme-definition/index_en.htm