FOM-Projectruimte to continue without deadlines
From 1 May 2013 proposals can be submitted throughout the year
The Projectruimte is one of FOM’s funding instruments. In autumn 2012, FOM’s Governing Board decided to switch to a system of continuous submission for the FOM-Projectruimte. From 1 May 2013 the FOM-Projectruimte will no longer have deadlines and researchers will be able to submit proposals throughout the year.
Submitting a proposal
A researcher may attach his or her name as an applicant or co-applicant to just one Projectruimte-proposal in a 12-month period. For researchers who submitted a proposal in the autumn round 2012 a transition rule applies: they may submit a new proposal from 24 October 2013 onwards. For the other applicants 1 May 2013 is the first date on which a proposal can be submitted.
Evaluation procedure
The proposals that FOM receives from 1 May 2013 onwards will be evaluated in order of submission in batches of 15 to 25 proposals. The evaluation of a batch of proposals will start 3 months after the first proposal has been received as long as there are at least 15 proposals, or less than 3 months if 25 proposals have already been received. In general, proposals will enter the evaluation procedure within 3 months of submission (in exceptional cases within 6 months at the most). The evaluation procedure will then take about 3 months.
Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt shortly after the submission of their proposal. When the evaluation of a batch of proposals starts, applicants will receive a message with further details about the schedule and assessment procedure for their proposal.
Further information
All information about the new system of continuous application, the guidelines, evaluation, preferential treatment, selection and awarding can be found in the new Manual FOM-Projectruimte 2013. If you have any questions about the FOM-Projectruimte that are not covered by the manual then please contact Dr. Erik Kreiter at the FOM Office (+31 (30) 600 12 17, email: projectruimte@fom.nl) .
About the FOM Projectruimte
The FOM Projectruimte funds small-scale projects in fundamental physics research that have an innovative character and a demonstrable scientific, industrial or societal urgency. A maximum amount of 400,000 Euros is awarded. In the case of a collaborative project or a significant investment component, the amount awarded can increase to a maximum of 550,000 Euros. Proposals from disciplines related to physics are eligible for this grant as long as the research makes sufficient contribution to physics. FOM wants to increase the opportunities for newcomers to gain access to the FOM system. New tenured members of staff and tenure trackers can therefore submit a request for preferential treatment.