2006 Call for Proposals for workshops to be held in 2007, across all scientific domains

Each year, ESF supports approximately 50 Exploratory Workshops across all scientific domains.

The focus of the scheme is on projects aiming to open up new directions in research or to explore emerging research fields with potential impact on new developments in science. Proposals should demonstrate the potential for initiating follow-up research activities and/or developing future collaborative actions. Interdisciplinary topics are encouraged.

Proposals may be submitted in any or across several of the following broad scientific fields:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Physical and Engineering Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Science driven issues of Research Infrastructures in any of the above fields

The 2006 Call for Proposals is for workshops to be held between 1 January and 31 December 2007.
The deadline for submitting proposals is 2 May 2006 (midnight CET).

Format
ESF Exploratory Workshops are intended to be small, interactive and output-oriented gatherings following the format below:
- A maximum number of 30 participants (including speakers and convenors).
- A usual duration of 1-3 days. 
- Ample time for discussion must be provided in the scientific programme.
- A workshop shall conclude with plans for follow-up research activities and/or collaborative actions or other specific outputs within or outside the frame of ESF (e.g. prepare the ground to develop a Forward Look, a Research Networking Programme, a EUROCORES proposal or an application to the EC Framework Programme). 
- A workshop should have wide participation from across Europe. No more than 5 participants may come from the applicant’s own country.

The award will be up to a maximum value of 15 000 €.
The award will cover the costs of workshop activities and travel, accommodation and subsistence for participants.

Criteria for applicants and participants
Applicants (convenors) must be scientists or scholars from European universities or research institutes in countries having agencies that are Member Organisations of the ESF. Proposals may have co-applicants from other countries. In this case, the co-applicants should assure their funding through their respective national agency or through other funding bodies. Main applicants cannot belong to the private sector.

Participants should be selected on the basis of their scientific excellence and potential contribution. The aim should be to have wide participation from across Europe, with due regard also to age, gender and geographical balance. The involvement of younger, independent researchers and scholars with leadership potential is encouraged.

Priority should be given to scientists and scholars based in ESF Member Organisation countries. A limited number of participants from European countries not having ESF Member Organisations and from countries outside Europe may be included in the workshop where such involvement is essential on scientific grounds. Such participants should normally obtain support from their appropriate national agencies or from relevant international organisations. Any request for financial support from the ESF for participants based outside countries with ESF membership must be justified on scientific grounds.

Consult the directory of ESF member organisations and countries.

HOW TO APPLY!