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Research Networking Programme EURAPMON - Call for Exchange Grant visits

EURAPMON (Research and Monitoring for and with Raptors in Europe) is a European Science Foundation (ESF) Research Networking Programme. It seeks to strengthen links between people and institutions in Europe that are conducting monitoring for raptors (monitoring raptor populations and trends) and with raptors (using raptors to monitor contaminants and other environmental pressures). Click here for more information on EURAPMON.

The objectives of EURAPMON are:
(1) to establish a sustainable and resource-efficient Europe-wide network for monitoring for and with raptors, linked to international networks;
(2) to establish consensus on Europe-wide priorities for monitoring for and with raptors, based on comprehensive inventory of existing monitoring, and of needs of key users (policy makers, risk assessors, environmental managers);
(3) to spread best practices and build capacities in Europe for harmonized monitoring for and with raptors;
(4) to build a web-based database, populated with interoperable data on European raptor population trends and (contaminant and other) pressures on raptors in Europe, and to produce European- and EU- scale analytical outputs which meet priority needs of users.

PURPOSE OF GRANT
This Exchange Visit Grant is offered for conducting analysis of monitoring meta-data for a pan-european inventory of monitoring for raptors, already obtained via an on-line questionnaire filled in by a network of National Coordinators in European countries. This information and report will be used as preparatory materials for a “Workshop on inventory of monitoring “for” raptors” (to be organised by EURAPMON) scheduled for late May/early June 2013 in Slovenia.

The exchange visit applicant will be hosted by BTO Scotland under the supervision of Dr Chris Wernham and her research team (School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom). The BTO has long-term experience of running a wide range of survey and monitoring initiatives, and can provide access to a wide range of scientific expertise to assist the successful applicant in their role.

The tasks for the successful applicant will include:
• Definition, together with a supervisory group, of the scope of the review of inventory of monitoring for raptors in Europe.
• Collation of relevant papers and other information about the monitoring of raptors from across Europe.
• Scientific evaluation of the meta-data already obtained via the on-line questionnaire for monitoring for raptors in Europe.
• Drafting of key scientific information and identification of key discussion issues in preparation for the workshop, and participation at the workshop.
• Preparation of a draft manuscript for peer-review journal submission as an outcome of the workshop.

The following eligibility conditions apply to this exchange visit grant:
• The grant is directed at a PhD student, post-doc, or a researcher qualifying with research experience in monitoring of raptors and/or wild birds.
• The ability to synthesis and summarise complex information, and to communicate clearly with questionnaire respondents will be a distinct advantage.
• Preference will be given to a researcher coming from a EURAPMON funding country.
• The grant is for support of a stay in a country other than the country of origin.

APPLICATIONS
Applications must be submitted by completing the online application form on the ESF website, click here.

The form requires the following information to be provided: title of proposed project; starting date; length of stay; estimated travel cost; applicant’s personal data; host information.
A single document must also be uploaded with the following information:
• Applicant’s view about proposed work, including a clear statement on the added value to networking generated by the proposed activity (ca. 1000 words)
• Applicant’s CV (two A4 pages)
• List of five most recent publications
• A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the applicant’s work
• Proposed starting date
• Estimated travel costs

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION, AWARD, START AND END OF VISIT

The application deadline for the 2013 exchange visit grant is 25 February 2013.
Proposals will be evaluated by 1 March 2013. The anticipated start date for the exchange visit will be negotiable (mid or late March 2013 will be realistic). The stay should be for a period of 3-4 months, and must be concluded by late July 2013 (the related workshop is scheduled for late May or early June 2013 in Slovenia and the successful applicant needs to attend this workshop).

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Applications will be evaluated by a sub-group of the EURAPMON Steering Committee members and Advisory Experts in collaboration with the European Science Foundation, according to the following criteria:
• Relevance of the applicant to the above-stated purpose of the grants
• Scientific quality of the proposed work
• Benefit to the researcher

LEVELS OF AWARD
The exchange visit grant is reimbursed on the basis of an allowance of 1600 EUR per month, 400 EUR per week, 57 EUR per day plus actual travel expenses up to a maximum of 500 EUR. The grant does not cover health insurance, taxes or retirement scheme options.
Following award of the grant, and upon receipt of the acceptance form from the applicant, the ESF makes an advance payment (normally 80% of the allocated grant). The final payment will be made upon receipt and acceptance of a satisfactory scientific report, signed host statement form(s) and original travel tickets.  In the case of cancellation or unreasonable delay (3 months or more), all advances must be returned to ESF. If the length of stay is shorter than the foreseen period, the grant will be adjusted accordingly and the grantee will be required to return to ESF any resulting balance.

SCIENTIFIC REPORT
The scientific report of the grantee shall be submitted online within one month of the end of the visit. It will be subject to the approval of the relevant EURAPMON Steering Committee sub-group before payment is made.
The Scientific Report should contain the following information:
• Aim of the visit
• Description of work carried out during the visit
• Description of main results/outputs
• Future collaboration with host institute (if any)
• Projected publications/articles or web-based materials resulting from or to result from the visit
• Other comments (if any)

The main goal of this exchange visit is to complete a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal on the inventory for raptors in Europe.

Grantees are required to acknowledge the support of ESF EURAPMON programme in any publications arising from their visits.

The contents of reports will be considered as being in the public domain and may be used, suitably acknowledged, for the purposed of EURAPMON, including in the compilation of reports submitted by EURAPMON to ESF.