Agreements

FAPESP/Vanderbilt University Call for Proposals 2014 Versão em português

Public Call for Proposals for the exchange of researchers under the Scientific Cooperation Agreement between the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

1. Objective

FAPESP and Vanderbilt University make public this Call for Proposals and invite interested researchers affiliated with Higher Education and Research Institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and with Vanderbilt University, respectively, to submit research proposals for the exchange of researchers between the State of São Paulo and Nashville, TN, USA, under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Eligibility to submit proposals within the scope of this Call:

2.1.1 By FAPESP :

a) Principal Investigators of ongoing research projects funded by FAPESP within the following funding lines: Regular Research Awards, Thematic Projects, Young Investigators, Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers (CEPIDs/RIDCs), Public Education Research Program, Research in Public Policies, and Research Partnership for Technological Innovation (PITE). Co-Principal Investigators of ongoing Thematic Projects, CEPIDs/RIDCs and PITEs are also eligible to apply.

b) FAPESP will only accept one application per related ongoing research project. Likewise, each researcher can present only one proposal to this Call.

c) The ongoing research project linked to this proposal must have a minimum of six months left at the scheduled beginning of the mobility project. FAPESP may accept proposals submitted to this call linked to research proposals that are still undergoing merit review. However, if the research proposal is still under analysis or has not been approved by the time the proposals in this Call are selected, the related mobility proposal will be cancelled.

2.1.2 By Vanderbilt University:

a. Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty members in University Central (College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Owen School of Management, Divinity School, Law School, and Blair School of Music) are eligible to submit proposals.

b. Proposals may involve investigators from the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, but the principal investigator must be based in University Central.

c. Proposals that include support for activities involving graduate students are encouraged.

d. Vanderbilt will only accept one application per related ongoing research project. Likewise, each researcher can present only one proposal to this Call.

e. Financial need will be considered in making awards. Each participating faculty member from Vanderbilt University must disclose both active external funding and institutional resources available to the individual. All institutional research-support funds must be disclosed, including start-up funds, endowed-chair funds, annual allocations, fixed-price contract surpluses, and other such sources.

2.2 Eligibility for the exchange activities within the scope of this Call:

2.2.1 By FAPESP: besides the proponent, team members of the related research awards are eligible when previously defined in the ongoing process as:

a) Principal or Co-Principal Investigators;

b) Associated Researchers affiliated to Higher Education and Research Institutions in the State of São Paulo.

(i) Associated Researchers who are Post-doctoral fellows must have an ongoing FAPESP fellowship during the planned exchange mission.

2.2.2 By Vanderbilt University: besides the proponent, team members of the related research awards are eligible when previously defined in the ongoing process as:

a) Principal or Co-Principal Investigators;

b) Named investigators on the proposal, including postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.

2.2.3 The proposals must aim to respect the principle of reciprocity with regard to academic qualifications of those who will take part in the exchange activities.

3. Fields of knowledge

This Call for Proposals invites research proposals in all fields.

4. Timeline

Call announced on FAPESP and Vanderbilt University websites

May 15, 2014

Closing date for submission of proposals

July 24, 2014

Successful proposals notified

October 23, 2014

5. Duration of the project for the exchange of researchers

The maximum duration of each project is 24 months, non-extendable.

6. Funding principles

6.1 FAPESP will provide funding of up to $10,000 USD per proposal per year and Vanderbilt will provide funding of up to $10,000 USD per proposal per year, for the duration of the grant to cover research-related mobility expenses, under the provisions of Clause 5 of the Scientific Cooperation Agreement established by the Parties (www.fapesp.br/en/8571).

6.2 FAPESP will provide the selected proposals with funds for travel (air tickets), health insurance and living allowances for researchers and fellows from the State of São Paulo that will visit Vanderbilt University according to item 2.2.1.

6.3 Vanderbilt University will provide the selected projects funds for travel (air tickets) and living allowances for researchers from Vanderbilt University visiting the State of São Paulo, according to item 2.2.2.

7. Proposal characteristics

The proposal, in English, consists of an identical research project to be submitted to both Parties and the required documentation for each Party (FAPESP and Vanderbilt University), under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The exchange activities to be carried out by the researchers from São Paulo must be thematically related to the ongoing research project funded by FAPESP.

7.1 A research project with a maximum of five (5) pages of scientific content, with one copy sent to Vanderbilt University and another copy sent to FAPESP, including the following items:

7.1.1 A description of the foreseen exchange activities, including:

a. A substantive description of the activities, emphasizing their relevance;

b. A timeline for each specific exchange mission, considering the limit of missions and resources established in this Call;

c. Performance indicators for the planned activities;

d. A description of each candidate’s contribution to the mission, explaining their expertise to carry out the foreseen activities;

e. Foreseen actions adding to the impact of the exchange for Vanderbilt University and for the Host Institution in the State of São Paulo, e.g. by means of seminars, short courses and visits to other institutions that carry out research activities in cognate areas.

7.1.2 A one-page summary of the FAPESP funded research project to which the mobility proposal relates, including:

a. Current and expected results;

b. A description of the project activities that will benefit from the exchange activities;

c. A description of the expected academic gains for the research project resulting from the proposed exchange activities;

d. A description of the infrastructure and financial resources available for the research project, excluding the mobility expenses requested in the proposal.

7.1.3 To Vanderbilt University:

a. A description of the strong potential for sustainability of the project. Evidence of sustainability might include (but is not limited to) the existence or likelihood of external funding, other sources of institutional funding, and participation by multiple researchers at the participating institutions. 

In addition to the research project above referred, the proposal must include the following items:

7.2.1 To FAPESP:

a. Research Proposal Form;

b. Researchers Registration Form to be filled in by the PI and by all candidates for the exchange activities (only for Researchers from São Paulo);

c. CV Summaries of the Principal Investigators on both sides and of all candidates for the exchange activities (guidelines at www.fapesp.br/en/6351);

d. Budget forms;

e. Worksheet with the candidates for the exchange missions;

f. A Letter of Agreement between Vanderbilt University and the Higher Education and Research Institution in the State of São Paulo to which the PI from São Paulo is affiliated, including Intellectual Property rights, confidentiality, and publication, agreement, in observance of the policies of each funding Party. The Letter of Agreement is not mandatory for the submission of proposals, but no approved project will be contracted before the presentation of a copy of the signed Agreement.

g. For proposals related to ongoing FAPESP PITE projects, the PI must present a Statement of Consent by the partnering company agreeing with the application to this CFP.

7.2.2 To Vanderbilt: Items a, c, d, e, and f from 7.2.1, and

a. Written endorsements of the project from the dean of the Vanderbilt PI’s school and an appropriate university official (e.g., dean) of the partner institution in the State of São Paulo. Vanderbilt investigators must obtain endorsements from their dean prior to submitting the proposal.

b. Each faculty investigator at Vanderbilt must disclose existing external funding and all sources of institutional research-support funds, including start-up funds, endowed-chair funds, annual allocations, fixed-price contract surpluses, and other such sources. Please note any restrictions or obligations on the use of such funds. It is expected that investigators will contribute their own resources to the project if such resources are available.

8. Submission of proposals

8.1 The proposal as specified in the previous section must be submitted by the deadline stated in section four above, both to FAPESP by the Principal Investigator from the State of São Paulo and to Vanderbilt University by the Principal Investigator from the United States.

8.2 No proposal will be accepted after the closing date for submission, nor will any addendum or explanation be accepted, unless those explicitly and formally requested by FAPESP or Vanderbilt.

8.3 Submissions to FAPESP can only be accepted in paper, via mail, to the following address: Rua Pio XI, 1500, Alto da Lapa, CEP 05468-901 – São Paulo/SP, with “Chamada FAPESP/Vanderbilt 2014” written on the envelope. Only proposals with a stamped postmark date within the deadline of this Call will be processed.

8.4 Submissions to Vanderbilt must be submitted addressed with “Vanderbilt/FAPESP Call” to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and International Affairs by email (vpf@vanderbilt.edu) or by hand delivery to 105 Kirkland Hall, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240 by 5:00 PM (Central Time) of the date of the deadline.

8.5 Proposals submitted by any other means will not be accepted. Late submissions will be returned.

9. Analysis and selection

9.1 Each Party will select the proposals according to its own procedures. Only the proposals selected by both Parties will be funded.

9.2 The proposals will be pre-qualified and, subsequently, analyzed by way of a competitive process which will evaluate the merit and relevance of the project, the relation of the proposed project to the ongoing project funded by FAPESP, the capacity of the proposed project to leverage further research funding, and the strategic research aims of Vanderbilt University.

9.3 Proposals that do not comply with the terms of this Call will not qualify for analysis.

10. Result of the analysis

Final results will be announced on FAPESP (www.fapesp.br) and Vanderbilt University (www.vanderbilt.edu/provost/fapespvanderbilt-university-funding-2014) web portals and by means of a communication to the interested PIs.

11. Contract for selected projects

11.1 To FAPESP

Selected proposals will be the object of a grant contract (FAPESP) to be signed by the PI and a representative of the Higher Education and Research Institution to which he/she is affiliated.

12. Grant cancellation

FAPESP or Vanderbilt University may cancel funding if, during the grant timeframe, a fact is of sufficient gravity to justify cancellation, at the Scientific Director’s discretion, without prejudice of any other appropriate actions.

13. Appeals and Information about this Call

13.1 The proponent who does not appeal against the terms of this Call for Proposals until the second weekday before the closing date set for proposal submission will forfeit the right to do so. The appeal filed by the proponent who, having accepted the Call without objection, points out fortuitous failures or imperfections after the analysis shall not be effective as an appeal.

13.2 All questions related to this Call for Proposals must be directed to:

a. FAPESP: 

Virginia Sanches Subiñas
Technical Advisor
Scientific Directorate
E- Mail: chamada_vanderbilt@fapesp.br

b. Vanderbilt University:
Dawn Turton, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost for Faculty and Institutional Accreditation
105 Kirkland Hall
E-Mail: vpf@vanderbilt.edu

 


Page updated on 05/15/2014 - Published on 05/13/2014