HELP
SYNTHESYS: APPLICATION FORM GUIDELINES If you have any other questions regarding the application process
please check the frequently asked questions
page or contact synthesys@nhm.ac.uk
Personal Details
Nationality:
Please choose your nationality from the list given. If your nationality
is not listed please choose “OTHER”.
Researcher status:
Please select one of the research status listed. If your status
does not exactly match any of those listed please select the nearest.
Primary research interest:
Please select your main research interests with the first being
your primary. You may choose one or more in descending order.
Home Institution type:
Please choose your home institution type from the list given. If
your institution type is not listed please choose “OTHER”.
Home Institution country:
Please note that the Leader of your Research Group must be based
in a Member or Associated State of the European Union to be eligible
for support. Please see eligibility for more information.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Qualifications with dates:
Please list your most relevant qualifications and the dates awarded.
Research interests:
Please outline your research interests. There is a text limit of
2250 characters including spaces.
APPLICATION
Please note that once you make this selection you are applying
to visit that specific TAF. If you wish to visit another TAF you
will need to complete a separate application form.
PROJECT DETAILS
Visit Length: Please note that the proposed visit
length (number of working days) must match the period covered by
your proposed start and finish date.
Proposed Start and Finish dates: If your application
is successful, the dates may need to be changed depending on you
and your Host's schedules and the availibility of any requested
facilities. These can be changed in agreement with the Host if the
application is successful. The evaluation process takes between
10-15 weeks from the call deadline.
PLEASE NOTE: All visits must be completed by 31st January 2009.
PLEASE NOTE: Users will not be able to visit AT TAF during the month
of June 2008
Are you the User Group Leader?
The term "User Group" refers solely to the present TAF
project you are applying for. It means a research team of one or
more researchers of whom any number may be given access to the infrastructure
under this project.
Each User Group is led by a User Group Leader who is leading/supervising
the research. You are the User Group Leader if you are in charge
of this team of researchers, or if you are applying with an individual
project on your own.
NB:If you are a student you cannot be the User Group Leader –
this ought to be your supervisor, even if they are not requesting
access to the infrastructure.
Applying as a User Group
If you require access as a User Group to work on a joint project
at a certain TAF all Users of the group must complete an application.
You will have to name the User Group leader and all members of the
group in the application.
As a general rule TAFs will not support more than one applicant
to a TAF to work on a similar project. Only in very strongly justified
cases will such proposals be considered. It is important that a
work plan is provided detailing how and why the colleagues need
to work together, and justify the need for access for all individuals
involved. This should be clear on the applications from all the
colleagues
Which TAF do you propose to visit?
Please note that once you make this selection you are applying to
visit that specific TAF.
If you wish to visit another TAF you will need to complete a separate
application form.
Do you need access to another TAF to complete your proposed
Project?
Please indicate if you need access to another TAF in order to complete
the proposed Project outlined in this application. If you do you
will need to complete a separate application form for each TAF.
How to describe the aims of a project that requires a
visit to more than one TAF
Similarity in the text of the “Project summary” is anticipated.
Each proposal to each TAF must provide a unique workplan and justification
as to why access to that particular TAF is required and for what
purpose, as the collections (and analytical facilities etc.) of
each installation are unique.
Be aware that SYNTHESYS uses a type of similarity software to identify
when an applicant cut and pastes text of one proposal into another.
TAF Administrators and User Selection Panels are alerted when this
practice is adopted and this will count against a proposal in the
evaluation
FURTHER INFORMATION
Project summary:
The project summary should summarise the scientific objective(s)
of the proposed work and be placed in the context of the work completed
by the applicant to-date. The future direction of the applicant's
research may also be indicated. The application will be read and
assessed by non-specialists, so it is essential that this is NON-TECHNICAL
summary. Text limit: 2000 characters including spaces.
The Scientific content and project methodology of the project:
Text limit: 2500 characters including spaces.
The reasons for requesting access to the Infrastructure:
Please explain why it is necessary to access the facilities and
expertise at your chosen TAF to meet the scientific objective(s).
Text limit: 2500 characters including spaces.
What do you expect to gain from your visit?
Please include the short and long-term gains of the proposed visit
well as how your visit will benefit your Research Group, institution
and Europe. Text limit 2000 characters including spaces.
The expected outputs resulting from the visit:
Please list the expected outputs from the proposed project. Please
include proposed joint publications, presentations, material for
training courses, preparation for workshops, CD-Roms, transfer of
specialist skills, initiation of pan-European collaborative research
projects and future collaboration with institutions collaborating
in SYNTHESYS. Text limit: 2000 characters including spaces.
Training requirement
If you require training in either taxonomic skills to assist you
to interpret the collections or technical skills for operating the
facilities equipment, please specify. Summarise any relevant training
that you have received previously, including dates of that training.
Please note that SYNTHESYS cannot support training only applications,
training must be integral to a research project.
FACILITY INFORMATION
Have you visited *TAF before
Please indicate if you have visited your chosen institution before
and for what reason. Please indicate which staff member, institution
and department you visited and the duration of the previous visit(s).
Do you have the requested facilities in your home country?
One of the European Commission’s User evaluation specifications
is that similar facilities to those requested are not available
in the applicant’s home country. Therefore it is very important
that you explain why you need access to the requested collections
and facilities to enable the User Selection Panel to assess the
justification and merit of your application.
Name of TAF staff member you expect to be your Host:
Please note that it is mandatory that you have contacted your chosen
Host prior to submitting your application. If you do not know who
to contact at your chosen TAF please contact the TAF Administrator.
A list can be found under contacts. The Host will be responsible
for ensuring the implementation of your proposed work programme
during your TAF visit.
RESOURCE NEEDS
NB: You need to specify how you want to divide the proposed
working days among the collections/facilities offered by the respective
TAF. Make sure that the sum of the specified days match the number
given for the total length of your visit.
Which Collections do you wish to visit?
In order to manage the TAF facilities efficiently, it is important
that applicants give a clear indication of the equipment to be used
during the visit. Therefore it is necessary to enumerate the days
of access required for each piece of equipment. Applicants are strongly
advised to contact the appropriate Facility Manager to confirm the
feasibility of the proposed work via the Host before submitting
an application.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Supporting Statement:
The Supporting Statement will be used as a reference by the User
Selection Panel. Therefore, it should be provided by a senior peer
who knows both you and your work first-hand. It should not be made
by a staff member from your chosen TAF. The Statement will be validated
by your chosen TAF.
Once you request the Supporting Statement an email will be sent
with your attached application form to your designated Supporter.
The Supporter will then need to complete the statement before the
call deadline and submit it online as per the instructions. Once
they have submitted their Statement an email will be sent to the
TAF Administrator and the applicant. Only applications with completed
supporting statements will be eligible for consideration by the
User Selection Panel. |
