Local research infrastructure with potential to become national

    9 October 2023

    During the period 2022-2025, Umeå university invests SEK 18 million in local research infrastructures that have the potential to cover a national or international need. By this we mean that the infrastructure could be of benefit to many different research groups within and/or outside of Sweden.

    This year's call for proposals closes 20 October 2023 14.00

    This year's call is the second time we welcome applications from local research infrastructures at Umeå University that have the potential to be of benefit to national and/or international users.

    How much funding is available?

    In this round of funding, million 5,6 SEK are available. Researchers can apply for a maximum of 900 000 SEK per year for two years (2024/2025). Awarded funding must be used during those two years.

    Please note that the amount you are applying for should include 30% faculty co-funding. Proof of faculty co-funding needs to be attached when submitting the application.

    Awarded funding might be used for:

    · Investments in facilities, equipment, or software

    · Operation and maintenance

    · Staff training

    · Staff costs connected to the infrastructure (e.g. for its operation)

    · Development and networking activities to strengthen the infrastructure's potential to become a research infrastructure of national/international interest

    Funding criteria:

    The proposal needs to clearly state how and to which extent the research infrastructure fulfils the following criteria, or how the funding you apply for will be used to meet them in the future:

    · Has the infrastructure a clear management and organisational structure?

    · Is it clear where the infrastructure is located and which unit at the university (faculty, department or centre) hosts it administratively, i.e. is accountable for it?

    · Do all researchers at Umeå University have equal access to the infrastructure when it comes to e.g. fees?

    · Is the infrastructure used by researchers/research groups/other users from one or several faculties at Umeå University, other universities, or external cooperation partners?

    · Does the infrastructure offer training sessions, or regular theoretical/practical courses connected to its use?

    · Does a long-term plan for usage, funding, development, and evaluation of the research infrastructure exist?

    · Is a plan in place for how the applied-for funding will enable the infrastructure to become a research infrastructure of national/international interest?

    If the infrastructure has been assessed by the Swedish Research Council as part of their most recent inventory of needs for research infrastructure of national interest, but was not invited to apply for a grant, your application should include a description of how you will develop the infrastructure based on the assessment.

    Applications/Proposals

    You can apply for funding by completing the below application form and sending it per email to planering@umu.se

    Deadline: Friday, 20th October 2023, 14.00

    Application form

     

    ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATION

    Experienced reviewers from each faculty will assess and prioritise the application before they are considered by Umeå University's Council for Research Infrastructure (RIS). The proposed allocation of funds is then considered at the Strategic Council for Research and Education (FOSTRA) before the Vice-Chancellor approves of it.

    TIMELINE 2023

    · 29 September
    Call opens at 14.00

    · 20 October
    Call closes at 14.00

    · 23 October – 13 November
    Applications are assessed and considered by Umeå University's Council for Research Infrastructure (RIS) that proposes which applications should be granted funding

    · December
    The decision which research infrastructures are granted funding is approved by the Vice-Chancellor

    Questions?

    For specific questions regarding the content and co-funding of your proposal, please contact:

    · Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Philip Buckland, Philip.buckland@umu.se

    · School of Education– Ola Lindberg, Ola.j.lindberg@umu.se

    · Faculty of Medicine – Richard Lundmark, Richard.lundmark@umu.se

    · Faculty of Social Sciences – Gregory Neely, Gregory.neely@umu.se

    · Faculty of Science and Technology – Johan Olofsson, johan.olofsson@umu.se

    For general questions around the application (e.g. the form), please contact Insa Wemheuer at the planning unit: insa.wemheuer@umu.se

    Editor: Sara Rambe