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27.07.2012 - 14.09.2012.

Announcement of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Third joint announcement by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) of the Federal Republic of Germany of regulations governing the funding of joint innovative projects in the field of applied research through the "Egyptian-German Research Fund" (GERF).

Logo Bundesanzeiger

17 July 2012
 

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 Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR) agreed to establish an Egyptian-German Research Fund (GERF) for to support 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 7th Research Framework Programme or under national funding schemes.
The implementing agencies are the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) on behalf of the Ministry of Scientific Research (MSR) for the Egyptian applicants and the International Bureau on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for the German applicants.
The STDF and the BMBF announced the first and second calls for proposals under the GERF in 2008 and 2010. 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.
Against the background of the transformation processes in Egypt since February 2011 and as a result of the joint Workshop on "The Role of Science and Technology in the Democratic Reform Process in Egypt"- held 27/28 May 2011 in Cairo - STDF and BMBF published a joint interim call for Egyptian-German research projects in the fields of the social sciences and the humanities in December 20111. With the aim of promoting bilateral research cooperation in these fields, German-Egyptian research projects will be funded whose results promise to give related practical support to the processes of democratization and economic development in Egypt.
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 an 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 third 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 Security
  • Climate Change
  • Water
  • Renewable Energy
  • Urban Planning
  • Transportation
  • Social Sciences and Humanities

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

3 Recipients of funding

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 (SMEs2), 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 EU's Research Framework Programme 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 International Bureau (IB) of the BMBF and the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) or the DAAD Office Cairo before submitting their proposals.                               
The Federal Government's Research and Innovation Funding Advisory Service and the National Contact Points for the European Research Framework Programme are also available for other calls for proposals.

German project partners can receive funding for the following project-related measures:

  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 of € 82 for accommodation and meals
  2. Staff costs
  3. With regard to the organization of bilateral, project-related workshops in Germany, grants can be provided towards costs/expenses such as the preparation of the workshop, rental of the venue, transfers within Germany, and the realization of events in the context of the workshop. The exact amount of the grant depends on the size of the workshop and the number of participants.
  4. Other costs (project-related equipment and consumables) can be funded to a limited extent, but not costs related to a research institution's basic equipment
  5. Lump-sum project allowance (20 %) for universities and university hospitals    https://foerderportal.bund.de/easy/module/easy_formulare/download.php?datei=583

In general, n o   f u n d i n g will be provided to cover the following expenses:

  • Research institution's basic equipment (office supplies, communication, laboratory and IT equipment)
  • Costs for the translation of documents, interpreting, etc.

The total funding applied for on the German side should not exceed €100,000 per project - including the lump-sum project allowance (20 %) for universities and university hospitals.
On the Egyptian side, the following items are eligible for funding:

  • Cost of equipment (up to 25% of the total budget provided by STDF)
  • Salaries
  • Outreach activities
  • Travel costs
  • Indirect costs3

5 Procedure

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

The Egyptian MHESR 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/

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

When preparing their applications, Egyptian and German applicants are advised to get in touch with the responsible members of staff at the above-mentioned institutions and with the Cairo office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) at an early stage.
Contact persons for subject-related information are:

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

International Bureau (IB) of the BMBF: Ms Susanne Ruppert-Elias/Senior Scientific Officer
E-mail: Susanne.Ruppert-Elias@dlr.de
Tel.: +49 (0)228 3821 1487
Fax: +49 (0) 228 3821 1490

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): Ms Janina Ackermann/ Programme Coordinator
11, Sh. Saleh Ayoub; Zamalek, Kairo, Ägypten
Email: janina.ackermann@daadcairo.org
Tel.: +20 2 27 35 27 26 - Ext.135
Fax: +20 2 27 38 41 36
Internet: http://cairo.daad.de

For administrative/financial information, please contact: Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF): Ms Ghada Ghaleb/Operations Officer
E-mail: ghada.ghaleb@stdf.org.eg
Phone: +20 2 27 92 50 81
Fax: +20 2 27 92 50 80

International Bureau (IB) of the BMBF: Ms Lydia Bartuli/Administrative Officer
E-mail: Lydia.Bartuli@dlr.de
Phone: +49 (0)228 3821-1828
Fax: +49 (0)228 3821-1444

For IT- related questions, please contact:
Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF):
Ms Naglaa Mohamed
E-mail: Naglaa.Mohamed@stdf.org.eg

International Bureau (IB) of the BMBF: Mr Maik Brattan
E-mail: Maik.Brattan@dlr.de
Tel.: +49 (0)228 3821-1651
Fax: +49 (0)228 3821-1444

5.2 Submission of 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 funding procedure will take place in two phases.

5.2.1 First Phase: Submission of a project proposal

In the first phase, a project proposal 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) - including the cover page is to be submitted by one of the two authorized PIs - on the Egyptian or the German side electronically via PT-Outline:
https://www.pt-it.de/ptoutline/application/EGYGERF2012
by 14.09.2012 at the latest. 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 relevant 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 project proposals are structured as mentioned above. Applications which do not correspond to these criteria will be excluded from the selection procedure. On the German side additionally, the stamped and legally binding signed hard copy of the project proposal mentioned above submitted electronically and any other 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 21 September 2012 (as evidenced by the date on the postmark). 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. On the Egyptian side, first register on the STDF website, then upload all Application Documents. Before leaving the website, check the "Application Status" link to review the uploaded documents. Reload any of the documents that have not been given the "green tick mark". The system sends an email verifying the completion of the application process upon successful uploading of all documents and completion of the application.

5.2.2 Second Phase: Submission of formal applications

In a second phase, research teams with project proposals that have been evaluated positively will be informed accordingly. On the German side, these applicants will be invited to submit a formal application for funding, on which a decision will be taken after final evaluation. On the German side, the application of the individual members of the collaboration should be drafted electronically in coordination with the designated coordinator, if possible using "easy (AZA or AZK)": https://foerderportal.bund.de/easy/. The German Project Investigators are required to contact the International Bureau (IB) of the BMBF before finalizing and submitting their formal application for funding.                                                
On Egyptian side, all required documents must be scanned and attached to the submitted proposal [cf. Sections 5.2.1 of this announcement]. Additionally, a hard copy of the final version of the formal application (finalized in the electronic application system "easy"), stamped and signed by the authorized signatory of the German partner, should be sent by post (taking into account the deadline for submission which has yet to be announced) to the International Bureau at the following address:
 
International Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (IB)
at the Project Management Agency c/o German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Susanne Ruppert-Elias & Lydia Bartuli 
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1
53227 Bonn, Germany

The aforementioned deadlines for submission of an application are not cut-off deadlines. But in general applications and documents received after the deadlines will not be considered. Note: The digital application form provided is to be used exclusively. Any applications received that do not use the form provided will be excluded from the selection process. 5.3 Selection and decision-making procedure The submitted project proposal 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. Applications will be evaluated by external peer reviewers on both the German and the Egyptian sides 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 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.

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 August 2013. 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 team. 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 terms and conditions for awarding funding

6.1 Parts of the notification of award for grants

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 rights 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

These funding regulations will enter into force on the day of their publication.4
Cairo, Bonn, 17 July 2012

Executive Director,
Science and Technology Development Fund
Arab Republic of Egypt

Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Federal Republic of Germany

1http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4546.php
2According 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 (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.pdf and http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/sme-definition/index_en.htm
3Indirect costs = 20%*(other direct costs - equipment)
4In Germany: On the day that this announcement is published in the Bundesanzeiger (Federal Gazette).