CALL FOR PROPOSALS now closed

The British Council is pleased to announce a Call for Proposals under the new UK – Tel Hai Research Partnership.

This Call for Proposals is restricted to applicants from the Tel Hai Academic College in Israel (and its affiliated research centres) working in partnership with British universities and should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines for Applicants

Deadline: 31 May 2009

Introduction
The aim of the scheme is to strengthen academic cooperation between universities in the UK and the Tel Hai Academic College in Israel through the awarding of grants for joint research in all fields of science: this includes scientific research in both pure and applied science including social sciences and humanities.

			The scheme will enable scientists in both countries to carry out distinct pieces of collaborative research for wider dissemination and societal benefit.
			Applications are particularly encouraged from research teams who can demonstrate that they are developing an important and innovative line of research, with the potential to make a significant difference in their field or across disciplines.
			Successful applications must demonstrate scientific excellence in terms of the quality of research methodology and the approach to partnership.
			The active involvement of more experienced scientists working with younger scientists is encouraged .

Type and Value of Grants Available

			Grant for research teams to implement joint research: up to £25,000 (inclusive of VAT) For a specific piece of collaborative research
			Grant for research individual to implement joint research: up to £5,000 (inclusive of VAT) For a temporary attachment to conduct advanced postdoctoral research at a UK university for a Tel Hai researcher or at Tel Hai for a UK university researcher.

Please note: priority will be given to grants for research teams – these will take precedence over grants to research individuals.

Timing and Duration of Award

			Work should begin within 3 months of the award being granted
			The grant is for a maximum period of 12 months
			Grants will not be made retrospectively; this means that the work for which support is requested must not have commenced before the award is announced

Application

Applications will only be considered for joint research projects from Tel Hai Academic College (and its affiliated research centres) working in partnership with British universities (or university-affiliated research institutes).

Proposals must clearly show the bi-lateral nature of the cooperation and applicants from the participating institutions should submit their proposals jointly, in English.

Applications should clearly identify a named, eligible individual from Tel Hai Academic College in Israel and a named eligible individual from the partnering UK university who will take the lead in managing the application and any resulting grant.

Applications must be endorsed by senior authorised personnel at both participating institutions i.e. Deans of Faculty in UK and the Research Authority at the Tel Hai Academic College in Israel.

Applications should indicate

			How the proposed research collaboration will strengthen academic links and improve understanding
			How sustainability will be developed beyond the period of proposed research collaboration
			What commitment and importance the participating institutions attach to the proposed research collaboration

Eligibility
The scheme is open to academics and researchers who fulfil the criteria below whether they apply as part of a research team or as a research individual:

			Applicants must be British or Israeli nationals or resident in UK or Israel for at least 2 years
			Participants must be employed by the Tel Hai Academic College in Israel (or its local research centres) or a recognised university in the UK (or university-affiliated research institute)
			Applicants must have postdoctoral level or equivalent status at the time of the application

Please note: the Guidelines for Applicants make clear what is meant by research teams and research individuals.

Assessment Criteria
Applications will be assessed by an Academic Selection Board made up of scientific experts from the UK and Israel according to the following criteria:

			Innovation / originality of proposed research
			Quality of scientific content and delivery plan of the proposed research
			Expertise of applicants in relation to proposed research
			Quality and nature of partnership i.e. level of cooperation and extent to which it “adds value”
			Potential for longer-term sustainability beyond the period of the proposed research

Applications will also be assessed to see how they

			Comply with Guidelines for Applicants and the relevant Application Form instructions
			Plus the extent to which the proposed research meets the overarching aims of scheme

Completed applications should be e-mailed to: science@britishcouncil.org.il

Deadline: 31 May 2009

Communication with Applicants

The British Council undertakes to

			Acknowledge receipt of application within two working days
			Announce final results by end of July 2009

The UK – Tel Hai Research Partnership is supported by UJIA

The scheme is managed by the British Council Israel