2025 Call for Research Projects

Eligibility criteria:

• The alignment with AMUtech’s objectives, which focus on advanced materials and nanotechnologies, within one of the two priority areas: Smart Materials or Optronics. These areas are illustrated by a list of keywords (see attached document) to be considered without exclusivity. Particular attention will be given to projects related to the lifespan and recyclability of materials.

• The involvement of at least two UMRs that are members of the AMUtech institute, including, whenever possible, chemists and physicists from doctoral schools 250, 352, and/or 353.

   

Funding :

• Five projects will be funded to a maximum of €25k each, for a total budget of €125k.
• It is possible to add up to 4 k€ per project for services provided by the CIMPACA characterization platform.
• A project involving an AMUtech laboratory and a Human and Social Sciences (SHS) laboratory may also be funded up to 25 k€. To encourage the emergence of this type of project, a tolerance period will be allowed for the receipt of complete applications. If your SHS-related project has not yet been fully finalized, please submit a first draft.
• Operating expenses may not exceed two-thirds of the application.

• In addition, three invitations for professors may be funded, in connection with research projects involving teams of theorists. These requests must be submitted by at least two laboratories within theAMUtech perimeter. Funding will cover all travel costs (one return trip) and per diems for a maximum of six weeks per invitation, with the possibility of splitting the stay.

   

Evaluation

The determining factors in 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 aspects of valorization and utilization of the equipment from the AMUtech units' platforms and the CIMPACA Characterization platform will be given careful consideration (platform operating credits eligible within the project).

   

Terms and conditions

The projects will be submitted to an internal evaluation group composed of members of the research committee and the AMUtech board.

Project leader commitments

Project leaders are committed to using all funds promptly. Expenses must align with those listed and justified by the project leader at the time of submission.

Funded projects will be required to submit an activity report (limited to 2 pages) one year after completion.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses include equipment, operating costs and guest professors' weeks.

Use of the platforms of AMUtech units, including the CIMPACA characterization platform, may be the subject of specific requests for operating funding.

The project leader undertakes to detail and justify, in budget planning (submission form), expenditure by category (operating, investment), in compliance with AMIDEX financial regulations.

Administrative constraints:

Before submitting your project, please inform your laboratory's management and administrative and financial department of your intention to submit.

This will enable you to ascertain your laboratory's capacity to manage the project and to obtain advice on your budget, if necessary.

As far as the investment is concerned, it is important to note that valid estimates must be attached to the application.