News Archive
Call for proposals for CEF Focus Projects
26 September 2012. With the start of the new funding phase (CEF-II), the Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt Macromolecular Complexes has initiated the new CEF Focus Projects Programme to support exceptionally innovative research in Frankfurt on a competitive basis. By exploring new directions and frontiers, CEF focus projects will provide collaborative nuclei for future collaborative research.
Successful CEF focus projects aim to drive research to new frontiers and to support interdisciplinary research. They will combine research efforts to determine unexplored functions of macromolecular complexes at an increasing level of complexity and will have high-risk character in a positive sense.
Principle investigators of CEF-II are invited to submit research proposals on topics related to the following research areas:
• Structure, mechanisms and dynamics of complexes in the membrane
• Composition and dynamics of macromolecular complexes in quality control and signaling
• Dynamics of ribonucleic acid-protein complexes
• Design of macromolecular complexes
CEF focus projects are led by principle investigators of CEF-II but teams can include other scientists in Frankfurt as required for the success of the proposal. CEF focus projects will be chosen on a competitive basis using a two-tier selection process. The evaluation will involve external anonymous reviews and an external panel chaired by the CEF speaker. CEF focus projects will be funded initially for a period of up to 24 months and a maximum of 200 k€ per year each (incl. overheads). Cost effectiveness is part of the proposal evaluation, and a brief plan for the allocation of funds has to be provided. Extension upon successful evaluation in a competitive manner with new applications is possible.
CEF focus projects can be extended to run up to four years. A call will be advertised every second year and up to eight focus projects will be funded per round.
The research undertaken will be covered by a research agreement, based on the initial proposal, to be signed before research can commence.
Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
• The proposed project explores new directions and frontiers
• The project can only be conducted due to the complementary expertise in CEF-II
• The project combines high gain and substantial innovative risk-taking
• Composition of interdisciplinary research team
Submission of Proposals: free format, max. 5 page long, CV of all applicants, budget outline, declaration of overlapping funding sources. Applications should be submitted electronically by 14 January 2013 to office@cef-mc.de.