MultiplEYE opens the Call for Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM)
These calls are based upon the work performed within COST Action CA21131, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)
Short term scientific missions (STSMs) consist of a visit of a host organization located in a different country than the country of affiliation by a Researcher or Innovator for the specific work to be carried out and for a determined period of time (please read the COST ANNOTATED RULES).
These Missions are aimed at strengthening the existing networks by allowing scientists to go to an institution or laboratory in another COST Country to foster collaboration, to learn a new technique or to take measurements using instruments and/or methods not available in their own institution/laboratory. STSM grants cannot be spent on the preparation of proposals for funding from any source.
Note that the aim of any STSMs shall be to contribute to the scientific objectives of MultiplEYE!
IMPORTANT: THIS IS AN OPEN CALL, WITHOUT A SPECIFIED HOST INSTITUTION!
This means that the candidates can contact any member of the Action, propose a plan of the visit and ask for their support to host them.
Despite the openness, several topics will be given priority:
- Learning about eye-tracking methodology and the MultiplEYE experiment, with the goal of collecting data for the MultiplEYE core dataset when returning home
- Helping another group set up their lab to enable them to collect data for MultiplEYE (this particularly applies to groups that are at the moment setting up an eye-tracking lab and have little experience)
- Participating in the development of the materials for the MultiplEYE experiments, e.g. video tutorials, deciding on the psychometric tests, contributing to the data processing pipeline
- Testing/piloting the MultiplEYE experiment
- Learning the systematic review for current state-of-the art of eye-tracking technology and participating in writing survey papers
- Helping set some research questions for the psycholinguistic experiments within the WG3
- Leveraging eye-tracking data for Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks e.g. machine translation, analyzing text complexity, debunking disinformation, education technology, and cognitive load assessment.
PERIOD AND DURATION OF THE STSM
- The STSM can take place in the period from January 2024 to April 2024, and can last from one week up to two months. The applicant and the host will agree on this, and the applicant will specify the time and duration in the application form.
- The Evaluation Committee will verify that the duration proposed for the visit is in line with the proposed goals and activities.
- Please note that there will be new calls for STSMs within/after this period.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
December 15th, December 10th, 2023 – the applicant can start the mobility from January 2024
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The documents necessary for the application and the outline of the application process can be found at the official website, under the Activities, STSM section. Please read them, and the COST ANNOTATED RULES, Grant Awarding User Guide, as well as this document carefully before applying!
Generally, the STSM application procedure will be conducted on-line via the E-COST PLATFORM. The following documents are required:
- STSM Application Form filled in on e-COST and downloaded from the system (including STSM title, start and end date, information about the Host Institution and contact person, budget requested by the Applicant)
- COST Application Template (including STSM details, goals, work plan and expected outputs; attached alongside this call)
- Host agreement Support Letter (letter of support from the host institution, signed by the host and the institution’s legal representative. The Letter must clearly show the organization acceptance of the proposed period for the visit and of the proposed work plan of the applicant. Note: the draft of this document will be sent to the host who agrees to host the applicant (for this, contact the Grant Awarding Coordinator)
- Brief CV (max. 2 pages)
- Motivation Letter (a brief letter summarizing the main scientific goals, as well as its relevance for the applicant, home/host institutions, the MultiplEYE Action, etc.)
- *Recommendation letter by someone from your institution (only if you are a PhD student and / or a research assistant!)
Please note that the evaluation process of submitted applications takes some time and the applicant can never start his/her mobility period before having received the evaluation outcomes and the relevant Grant Letter.
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
The STSMs are intended for any researcher affiliated to a legal entity based in either a COST Full/Cooperating Member or a Near Neighbour Country.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
An STSM Grant is a contribution up to maximum 4.000 EUR to the overall travel, accommodation, and meal expenses of the Grantee. Please note that this is the absolute maximum and that you should request a realistic amount. Please also note that STSMs don’t support research costs. The Core Group decides on the final financial contribution, taking into consideration MultiplEYE available resources, the budget requested, the scope, the duration and the location of the STSM.
EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS
The STSM Applications are evaluated by the STSM Committee including:
– Grant Awarding Coordinator, Action Chair, Action Vice Chair and a Core Group Member
The STSM committee evaluates all STSM applications within approximately 10 days after the deadline. The selection of successful STSM applications is based on the scientific scope of the proposed mission and, most importantly, how the mission supports MultiplEYE in achieving its scientific objectives. Gender balance, career stage and the distribution of STSMs among different countries and working groups (WGs) will also be considered. The COST Action Evaluation Committee has the right to award less than the requested amount.
Once the selection process is complete the Applicant receives a formal notification through e-COST informing him/her about the outcomes of the selection and whether the request has been approved or not. If the application is funded, the Applicant receives a Grant Letter stating the approved amount and the conditions for receiving the Grant. In no case the Applicant can start his/her mobility period before having received the Grant Letter.
CRITERIA FOR AWARDING THE STSM
- The relevance of the proposed exchange towards the MultiplEYE Action Objectives
- The quality and clarity of the proposed research, and the motivation behind it
- The feasibility of the proposed activities
- The academic profile of the researcher
- The output potential of the research carried out (deliverables)
- The coherence among the proposed budget and the duration and destination of the visit. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider the COST rules about funding the STSMs when preparing their budget.
FINAL REPORTING AND GRANT PAYMENT
After the completion of the STSM, the grantee is required to submit a scientific report via e-COST and to send it by email to the Grant Awarding Coordinator within 30 days after the STSM has been completed.
The Applicant and the host are also required to send to the Grant Awarding Coordinator a confirmation letter from the host institution stating the successful achievement of the foreseen goals (with signature of the local supervisor and/or legal representative). The draft of this letter will be sent to the host by the Grant Awarding Coordinator.
Upon approval of the scientific report by the STSM Committee the Grant will be processed and paid directly to the grantee within 30 days.
CONTACTS
- Grant Awarding Coordinator – Ana Matić Škorić ana.matic@erf.unizg.hr (questions related to the application procedure and organization of the STSM)
- Action Chair / Vice Chair – Nora Hollenstein nora.hollenstein@hum.ku.dk / Lena Jäger jaeger@cl.uzh.ch (questions related to the MultiplEYE objectives)
- Action Grant Holder Manager – Anna Bondar annabondarx@gmail.com (questions related to the e-COST, Grant Letter and financial matters)
Important: The applicants must contact the potential host, discuss the proposal of the envisioned work plan and the week(s) of stay, and obtain a Host agreement Support Letter which is to be uploaded via e-COST. Note that a Host agreement Support Letter does not guarantee that you will be selected.