Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ONISILOS (Co-funding InternatiONal, InterdiSciplinary and IntersectoraL research excellence at the University Of CypruS)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-01-01 al 2023-12-31
ONISILOS fellowships are available to top researchers from around the world and within the frame of specific intersectoral and interdisciplinary research projects. The key objective of ONISILOS is to enhance research excellence by extending the traditional academic research training setting and exposing postdoctoral researchers to alternate research practices and complementary resources, through the multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral character of the fellowship projects and the secondments.
The project aims to transform the previous postdoctoral fellowships programme at UCY into a world-class funding scheme for postdoctoral researchers (ERs). ONISILOS will support 50 ERs to carry out groundbreaking research in multidisciplinary focus areas.
The main objectives of the ONISILOS programme are to revive and transform the previous post-doc fellowships programme of UCY into an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary funding scheme for ERs; to enhance high quality research at UCY and more broadly in Cyprus; to create the conditions through which international and intersectoral mobility of researchers will be secured and offer innovative training through research and transferrable skills training to the fellows involved. The programme aims to attract the future generation of top researchers in Cyprus by offering an attractive remuneration package, combine science with cross-sectoral experience to develop an entrepreneurial culture within the research community.
ONISILOS is expected to have a significant impact on research at UCY and in Cyprus. The programme will attract top researchers to Cyprus, strengthen international collaborations, and promote interdisciplinary research. The researchers are expected to have a catalytic role acting as multipliers of knowledge, funding and socioeconomic impact in Cyprus. Moreover, ONISILOS contributes to the reversal of the poor R&I performance indicators of Cyprus reducing the brain-drain by attracting high quality international ERs.
The project aims to transform the previous postdoctoral fellowships programme at UCY into a world-class funding scheme for postdoctoral researchers (ERs). ONISILOS will support 50 ERs to carry out groundbreaking research in multidisciplinary focus areas.
The main objectives of the ONISILOS programme are to revive and transform the previous post-doc fellowships programme of UCY into an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary funding scheme for ERs; to enhance high quality research at UCY and more broadly in Cyprus; to create the conditions through which international and intersectoral mobility of researchers will be secured and offer innovative training through research and transferrable skills training to the fellows involved. The programme aims to attract the future generation of top researchers in Cyprus by offering an attractive remuneration package, combine science with cross-sectoral experience to develop an entrepreneurial culture within the research community.
ONISILOS is expected to have a significant impact on research at UCY and in Cyprus. The programme will attract top researchers to Cyprus, strengthen international collaborations, and promote interdisciplinary research. The researchers are expected to have a catalytic role acting as multipliers of knowledge, funding and socioeconomic impact in Cyprus. Moreover, ONISILOS contributes to the reversal of the poor R&I performance indicators of Cyprus reducing the brain-drain by attracting high quality international ERs.
Since the initiation of the programme, two successful calls for proposals have been instigated, incorporating a thorough evaluation of applications (for the 1st call so far), facilitation of the onboarding process for new fellows, prompt production of deliverables and meticulous preparations for the upcoming transferable skills training programme. A more detailed breakdown of the work undertaken can be found below:
Successful Commencement of 1st and 2nd Call for Proposals: The successful commencement of the 1st and 2nd Calls for Proposals marks a significant milestone in our programme's progression. Through meticulous planning and comprehensive dissemination, we endeavoured to maximise the visibility and outreach of the calls among potential applicants and through diverse networking channels.
Assessment of Applications: A comprehensive assessment process was conducted to evaluate the applications received in response to the 1st call for proposals. The evaluation criteria were meticulously outlined to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process.
Induction of New Fellows: Following the assessment process, successful candidates were offered positions to join the project as postdoctoral fellows. Extensive onboarding procedures were implemented to facilitate a seamless transition for the new fellows, including orientation sessions, introductions to project stakeholders, and provision of necessary resources and support.
Support for Fellows and Scientific Teams: Continuous support and guidance are extended to fellows and scientific teams to facilitate their research endeavours within the project. This encompasses access to training and resources aimed at enhancing their professional development and guaranteeing the successful attainment of project objectives.
Preparation of Deliverables: Substantial progress has been made in the preparation and submission of deliverables. Fellows and scientific teams are actively involved in research activities, with milestones and deadlines closely monitored to ensure the timely delivery of project outputs.
Establishment of Ethics Committee (ETC): The committee comprises two experts in research ethics, entrusted with upholding the integrity and ethical conduct of the projects. The ETC conducted a review of bioethics and data protection, culminating in the production of an ethics issues report. When deemed necessary by the ETC, fellows submitted their projects to the National Bioethics Committee and/or the UCY Data Protection Officer.
Financial Management: A comprehensive guide has been developed to aid fellows and supervisors in comprehending and navigating the reimbursement process efficiently. The guide aims to streamline the reimbursement process, ensuring transparency and efficiency in financial transactions related to project activities.
Successful Commencement of 1st and 2nd Call for Proposals: The successful commencement of the 1st and 2nd Calls for Proposals marks a significant milestone in our programme's progression. Through meticulous planning and comprehensive dissemination, we endeavoured to maximise the visibility and outreach of the calls among potential applicants and through diverse networking channels.
Assessment of Applications: A comprehensive assessment process was conducted to evaluate the applications received in response to the 1st call for proposals. The evaluation criteria were meticulously outlined to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process.
Induction of New Fellows: Following the assessment process, successful candidates were offered positions to join the project as postdoctoral fellows. Extensive onboarding procedures were implemented to facilitate a seamless transition for the new fellows, including orientation sessions, introductions to project stakeholders, and provision of necessary resources and support.
Support for Fellows and Scientific Teams: Continuous support and guidance are extended to fellows and scientific teams to facilitate their research endeavours within the project. This encompasses access to training and resources aimed at enhancing their professional development and guaranteeing the successful attainment of project objectives.
Preparation of Deliverables: Substantial progress has been made in the preparation and submission of deliverables. Fellows and scientific teams are actively involved in research activities, with milestones and deadlines closely monitored to ensure the timely delivery of project outputs.
Establishment of Ethics Committee (ETC): The committee comprises two experts in research ethics, entrusted with upholding the integrity and ethical conduct of the projects. The ETC conducted a review of bioethics and data protection, culminating in the production of an ethics issues report. When deemed necessary by the ETC, fellows submitted their projects to the National Bioethics Committee and/or the UCY Data Protection Officer.
Financial Management: A comprehensive guide has been developed to aid fellows and supervisors in comprehending and navigating the reimbursement process efficiently. The guide aims to streamline the reimbursement process, ensuring transparency and efficiency in financial transactions related to project activities.
The training through the ONISILOS project will provide the fellows with skills associated with identifying and pursuing employment opportunities, getting involved in entrepreneurial activities with emphasis on commercialisation of their research results, enhance their networking skills substantially, as well as academic, and non-academic resume-writing. Secondments will provide the necessary exposure for the fellows to acquire a broad knowledge of different sectors to which they can apply their skills and engage in social innovation activities. The geographical/sectoral mobility will increase their competitiveness compared to their peers and elevate their confidence to boost their career.
The fellows will be educated by the personal training courses and obtain hands–on experience on the methods. These experiences will help establish the fellow as an independent researcher, capable of designing complex research plans and drawing from a diverse set of tools to implement them, in line with the purpose of MSCA-COFUND objectives to promote excellence in research.
The multidisciplinary research programme, in combination with the dedicated CDP will enhance the fellow’s leadership, administration and overall transferable skills, for example through management of the proposed programme, co-supervision of students and participation in grant writing. Through the extensive dissemination and communication routes, the fellows will present their work to a wide range of audiences from the academia and the industry, paving the way for possible job opportunities. Possible collaborations with the non-academic sector may allow the fellows to develop new products or commercially exploit the IPR generated through the fellowship.
Eventually, the fellows will be able to assume leading roles in research groups and become appealing candidates for permanent positions in academia or non–academia.
The ONISILOS project is working to create an extra push and impact to the R&I investment by promoting Cyprus as a European centre of research, innovation, and openness. The mobility of experienced research fellows in and out of the country contributes to the attraction of scientific interest and will create a hub of new projects, new positions in R&I and eventually a culture of research sustainability.
ONISILOS is the first COFUND project ever to be coordinated by a Cypriot institution and it enhances the research profile of the country substantially. In addition, the project enables targeted networking opportunities with key players and institutions worldwide, which can
The fellows will be educated by the personal training courses and obtain hands–on experience on the methods. These experiences will help establish the fellow as an independent researcher, capable of designing complex research plans and drawing from a diverse set of tools to implement them, in line with the purpose of MSCA-COFUND objectives to promote excellence in research.
The multidisciplinary research programme, in combination with the dedicated CDP will enhance the fellow’s leadership, administration and overall transferable skills, for example through management of the proposed programme, co-supervision of students and participation in grant writing. Through the extensive dissemination and communication routes, the fellows will present their work to a wide range of audiences from the academia and the industry, paving the way for possible job opportunities. Possible collaborations with the non-academic sector may allow the fellows to develop new products or commercially exploit the IPR generated through the fellowship.
Eventually, the fellows will be able to assume leading roles in research groups and become appealing candidates for permanent positions in academia or non–academia.
The ONISILOS project is working to create an extra push and impact to the R&I investment by promoting Cyprus as a European centre of research, innovation, and openness. The mobility of experienced research fellows in and out of the country contributes to the attraction of scientific interest and will create a hub of new projects, new positions in R&I and eventually a culture of research sustainability.
ONISILOS is the first COFUND project ever to be coordinated by a Cypriot institution and it enhances the research profile of the country substantially. In addition, the project enables targeted networking opportunities with key players and institutions worldwide, which can