The AstroFIt 2 website (
http://www.astrofit2.inaf.it(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)) is online since September 2015 (M1). It includes individual web pages set up, in which all fellows have the possibility of presenting their projects and results.
On September 18, 2015 the AstroFIt 2 1st Call was published in the AstroFIt 2 website, and widely disseminated on several websites and mailing lists. 103 applications were received, from 21 different countries, confirming the great interest in the programme from the international astrophysical scientific community. A Selection Committee, composed by 7 internationally recognized experts in astrophysics, two of which not working in Italy, was appointed.
A total of 36 candidates received a ranking above the threshold and their names are in the final ranked list published on March 21, 2016. All applicants received their individual evaluation report produced by the Selection Committee.
The awarded fellows were given 45 days to accept the fellowship to be started within 6 months from the award.
The first fellow was appointed on September 1, 2016, on month 13, as scheduled.
On May 19, 2016 the AstroFIt 2 2nd Call was published. 62 applications were received from 26 different countries, thus confirming again the international relevance of the programme. A new Selection Committee was appointed and a former fellow of the FP7 COFUND AstroFIt was included in this 2nd Call Committee. At the end of the evaluation procedure, 56 candidates received a ranking above the threshold and their names are in the final ranked list published on November 4, 2016. All applicants received their individual evaluation report.
The first 2nd Call fellow was appointed on March 1, 2017.
In conformity with the principles of the Charter & Code the selection procedure of the two AstroFIt 2 calls have been transparent and smooth, demonstrating that is possible to include international participants in the Selection Committee, to respect the scheduled time for the evaluation of proposals, to give the fellows an adequate period of time for accepting and starting the fellowship, to provide fair employment conditions and to contribute to their career development.
3 Annual Meetings of the AstroFit 2 fellows have been organized:
-
http://www.astrofit2.inaf.it/1st-annual-meeting/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)-
http://www.astrofit2.inaf.it/2nd-annual-meeting/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)-
https://www.astrofit2.inaf.it/3rd-annual-meeting/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie).
Presenting their project during the Annual Meeting was a very effective opportunity to enlarge and diversify their collaboration. In fact, some of the fellows discovered to have common scientific interests and started novel collaboration activities between them, with natural positive feedback for their respective projects.
During the Annual Meetings, as well as through any other communication activities, the fellows had the opportunity to present their suggestions to the Board in order to improve the programme.
The Board of AstroFIt 2 considers a success of the programme the number of fellows (2 in the first reporting period and 7 in the second one) who were awarded a permanent or prestigious position in a National or International research centre, and for this reason resigned before the official end of their fellowship.
From September 2017 to August 2020 INAF recruited a total of 6 fellows in addition to the 18 fellows originally planned, as soon as at least a 12 months fellowship was available due to the resignation of former fellows. The ranking lists of the 1st and 2nd Calls had been taken into consideration.
Overall, the AstroFIt 2 fellows produced a total of 231 papers, i.e. more than 1 paper every 3 months, published on peer reviewed refereed international journals, well demonstrating the scientific achievements of the programme.
