2024 Call for Research Projects

Eligibility criteria:

• Suitability for AMUtech's objectives, i.e. advanced materials and nanotechnologies, within the framework of one of the two axes, Smart Materials or Optronics. These areas have been defined in the form of keywords (see table below), which should be considered without exclusion. Particular attention will also be paid to projects focusing on the notions of materials lifespan and recyclability.
• Projects must involve at least 2 UMR members of the AMUtech institute, combining as far as possible chemists and physicists from ED 250, 352 and/or 353.

• Evaluation

   

Funding:

• Five projects will be funded to a maximum of €25k each, for a total budget of €125k.
• One project between an AMUtech laboratory and a humanities and social sciences laboratory may also be funded, up to a maximum of 25 k€.
• To allow greater flexibility, if your project (in connection with the SHS) is not yet fully finalized, please submit the idea to us, and we will have a tolerance period for the receipt of your application.
• The share of operating expenses may not exceed 2/3 of the request.

Three invitations to professors (in connection with research projects involving teams of theorists) may also be financed, in addition to the 5 projects. Applications must be submitted by at least two laboratories within the AMUTech perimeter. Transportation will be fully covered (one round trip), as well as per diems of up to six weeks per invitation. The duration of the stay can be split.

Evaluation

The decisive elements of the evaluation will be :

• The quality of the scientific project and the application,
• Originality and innovation of the project,
• Potential leverage for equipment acquisition (capital expenditure),
• Any links with the humanities and social sciences.

• The development and use of equipment from the platforms of AMUtech units and the CIMPACA Characterization platform will be carefully considered (platform operating funds eligible in the project).

   

Terms and conditions

Projects will be submitted to an internal evaluation committee made up of members of the Research Committee and the AMUtech Board.

Project leader commitments

Project leaders undertake to use all funds rapidly. Expenses must correspond to those listed and justified by the project leader at the time of submission.

Funded projects must produce an activity report (limited to 2 pages) one year later.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses include equipment and operating costs, as well as weeks of visiting professors.

Use of the platforms of AMUtech units (including CIMPACA) may be the subject of specific operating requests.

The project leader undertakes to detail and justify in the budget planning (submission form) expenses by mass (Operating, Investment), in accordance with AMIDEX financial regulations.

Administrative constraints:

Before submitting your project, please notify your laboratory's management and administrative and financial department of your intention to submit, to ensure that your laboratory is capable of managing your project and to advise you on your budget, if necessary.

For the investment part, it is important to note that valid cost estimates must be attached to the application.