The AFR PhD and Postdoc Grant Scheme for Research Training in Luxembourg

Transcription

1 The AFR PhD and Postdoc Grant Scheme for Research Training in Luxembourg 0 ENRC 18 May 2011, Brussels Presentation by Marie-Claude Marx (PhD) Contact: marie-claude.marx@fnr.lu

2 The FNR s activities in brief (with budget for 2010) 1 Multiannual research programmes CORE ATTRACT PEARL INTER Aides à la formation-recherche AFR Accompanying measures AM Promotion of scientific culture PSC 37.5 Mio 28 Mio 2 Mio 1 Mio

3 Evolution of the Luxembourg public R&D budget Gov budget RDI ,70 Euros %PIB ,60 0,50 0,40 0,30 0,20 0,10 0,00 %PIB 2 Source : Ministry of Higher Education and Research, 2011

4 Objectives of the AFR Grant Scheme Enlarge national R&D base by increasing the number of PhD and Postdoc researchers Ensure high scientific/technological quality of projects (peer review) Set quality standards for PhD and Postdoc training Promote mobility of early-stage researchers Improve working conditions for young researchers (work contract, social security) 3 Create a network of AFR beneficiaries (annual networking day, network of AFR alumni ) Enhance public-private partnerships (AFR-PPP)

5 Key elements of the AFR Instrument (I) 4 In general no thematic limitations open to all researchers, regardless of nationality research in Luxembourg or abroad AFR funding period PhD: 3 years (+1 year prolongation possible) Postdoc: max. 2 years (Postdoc is Marie Curie Cofunded) d) Eligibility criteria PhD: University diploma or equivalent giving access to PhD course Postdoc: PhD diploma (up to 8 yrs after PhD) Mobility between countries Possiblity of consecutive AFR funding for PhD and Postdoc

6 Key elements of the AFR Instrument (II) 5 Evaluation through peer-review (remote experts and AFR expert panel) Selection criteria scientific quality of research project profile of candidate quality of host institution interest of the research in the context of Luxembourg R&D for postdocs: potential of the project for career development Success rate (period , average) Calls PhDs: ca. 60% Postdocs: ca. 55% 2 call deadlines per ear for PhD and for postdoc 2 call deadlines per year for PhD and for postdoc Online submission via

7 Key elements of the AFR Instrument (III) AFR contributions 1. AFR contribution to a work contract (to be concluded with host institution): Maximum AFR contribution: PhD: /year Postdoc : /year or 6 2. AFR fellowship: Maximum AFR contribution: PhD: /year Postdoc : /year Incenti e paid in case of P blic Pri ate Partnership (AFR PPP) Incentive paid in case of Public-Private Partnership (AFR-PPP) Travel Lump sum Training allowance (up to /yr)

8 AFR beneficiaries currently funded (I) Total number (new since Oct 2008 and transitions from old BFR system) PhD: Postdoc: Total number: (new) (transitions) 113 (new) + 6 (transitions)

9 AFR beneficiaries currently funded (II) Distribution of AFR beneficiaries in host institutions % 20 PhD Postdoc Uni.lu CRP Gabriel Lippmann CRP Henri Tudor CRP Santé CEPS/INSTEAD Other Lux. Abroad Host institutions

10 AFR beneficiaries currently funded (III) Distribution of AFR beneficiaries per thematic domains % 10 PhD Postdoc 9 0 LifeSciences Hum&SocSc Info&Com Tech Law Eco Fin Mat Phys Eng Maths Env&Earth Sci Thematic domains

11 AFR beneficiaries currently funded (IV) Nationality of AFR beneficiaries % 10 PhD Postdoc 10 0 Luxembourgish French German Belgian other EU outside EU Nationality

12 AFR Support measures Training Organisation of «project management» course for all starting AFR beneficiaries Career support Participation of AFR beneficiaries at ESOF (funded by FNR) AFR Networking activities Organisation of an annual AFR Networking event (Speed networking) Promotion of creation of PhD association(s), membership in EURODOC 11

13 AFR Cofund Application in 2008 under the EU-FP7 Cofund => successful New scheme for Postdocs: Introduction of work contracts, mobility clause (incoming, outgoing), g) peer review 3,1 Mio EUR, 3 years, 74 fellows (148 pers/yrs) Impact of Cofund: Increased international visibility of the AFR Postdoc Grant scheme Political support to develop support measures for early stage researcher s training and career development 12

14 FNR Funding instruments aligned to the different career stages Research career stages I. PHD stage II. Postdoctoral stage III. Independent researcher stage IV. Established researchers FNR Funding Instruments per career stage II and III. CORE Junior; (ATTRACT)* IV. (PEARL)* I. AFR PhD grants II. AFR Postdoc grants III. and IV. CORE INTER programme: participation in international bi- and multilateral calls FNR Accompanying Measures (AM) 13 * Excellence schemes (1-2 grants/year), limited to incominig researchers

15 AFR Evaluation in 2010 by Scholz CTC Objectives Analysing the 'customer satisfaction' Benchmarking the AFR programme internationally Achieving better understanding of the applicant and beneficiary population p Gaining insight into the quality of doctoral & postdoc qualification provided in the framework of the AFR scheme. Getting better understanding of the reality of PPPs in the AFR context 14

16 AFR Evaluation in 2010 by Scholz CTC 15 Main outcomes (full report available under At PhD level: - application procedure (mainly project description) and review process (2 written reviews plus panel) considered too heavy - Charter/Code of Practice for doctoral training at host institutions should be introduced At Postdoc level: - 2 years funding considered too short to achieve real impact Overall: - time from submission deadline to funding decision (2,5 month for PhD and 4,1 months for Postdoc) considered too long - opportunities to acquire transferable skills are missing - AFR-PPP are very rare, complicated by IPR issues - missing career opportunities in Luxembourg post-afr are deplored - quality assurance and monitoring system is needed

17 AFR Roadmap Main priority actions (currently under development): 1. Simplification of AFR application and review procedures 2. Provision of skills training for researchers (at PhD level / at all career stages) 3. Improvement of quality of PhD and postdoc supervision in Luxembourg 4. Promotion of intersectoral mobility of PhD/postdoc and PPP projects 5. Achievement of HR excellence award 6. Career development, career tracking and creation of AFR Alumni network 7. Creation of a quality assurance framework 8. Identification of excellence and promotion of visibility of outstanding AFR benficiaries 9. Impact an evaluation 16

18 TH NK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION 17