FET Young Explorers

Target outcomes

This objective aims at capturing the creative potential of young researchers by fostering their leadership and participation in collaborative research projects targeting first-ever, exploratory, multi-disciplinary research.

This exploration should be grounded in scientifically plausible ideas that can provide a novel basis for the development of radically new concepts and visions that extend the conventional boundaries of ICT. New multi-disciplinary approaches and unconventional methodologies are encouraged.

Expected impact

• Opening new avenues of research towards future ICT that may be radically different from present day ICT.
• Empower the next generation of European science and technology leaders through their increased leadership of collaborative ICT research.
• Promote early independence of young high potential researchers.

Eligibility criteria

A project must be led by a young researcher, and the leadership by young researchers of all work packages is also required. No more than six years should have elapsed between the award of a Ph.D. (or equivalent) for each such young researcher and the date of submission of the short proposal.

Extensions of this period may be allowed only in case of eligible career breaks which must be properly documented: maternity (18 months per child born after the PhD award) and paternity leave (accumulation of actual time off for children born after the PhD award) and leave taken for long-term illness, national service.

For further information on eligibility criteria and other aspects of this call, please visit the FET-Open FAQ section.

Indicative budget

EUR 6 million. This is an indicative budget which is expected to be committed for successful proposals from the cut-off dates of 17/05/2011 up to and including 10/04/2012 - (batches 11 to 13 included).