Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SASPRO 2 (Slovak Academic and Scientific PROgramme for experienced researchers)
Période du rapport: 2020-10-01 au 2022-09-30
Project acronym: SASPRO 2. Project full title: Slovak Academic and Scientific PROgramme for experienced researchers. Grant agreement No: 945478. Reporting period: 1. 10. 2020 – 30. 9. 2022. Beneficiary: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Štefánikova 49, 814 38 Bratislava, Slovak republic. Project partners: Comenius University (CU) and Slovak University of Technology (STU). Within mobility programme SASPRO 2 project partners (three top research and training organisations of the Slovak Republic) SAS, CU and STU implement programme for outstanding researchers allowing them to work at their host institutions/faculties. Duration of the programme is 60 months. Total budget of the Programme: € 9.3 million, contribution from COFUND is € 4.3 million. Description of project objectives: Slovak Academic and Scientific PROgramme for experienced researchers is mobility programme with focus on enabling researchers from abroad to perform their own research and boost their career at partners´ host organizations. Additional value for researchers is also performing secondments in application sphere to enhance the quality of Slovak science and research excellence of the host organisations. The measurable objectives for the first two years of the project were to establish the structure of the programme, ensure its administrative management, launch 3 calls, organize transparent recruitment process and provide successful fellows with motivating working conditions. We have planned to accept approximately 40 fellows with project duration of 36 months. Pandemic, recession and war in the neighbour country have greatly affected the entire world. When preparing the contingency plan, we did not take into consideration such serious consequences which needed to be addressed and mitigated. The overall situation has affected the project in several aspects. Thanks to our SASPRO 2 admin team who were willing to overcome the struggle it was possible to successfully implement the planned activities. General e-mail address: saspro2@savba.sk.
Description of project objectives: The main programme objectives were to build up on previous project SASPRO its continuation with new partners - universities STU and CU. Slovak Academic and Scientific PROgramme for experienced researchers is mobility programme with focus on enabling researchers from abroad to perform their own research and boost their career at partners´ host organizations. Additional value for researchers is also performing secondments in application sphere to enhance the quality of Slovak science and research excellence of the host organisations.
The measurable objectives for the first two years of the project were to establish the structure of the programme, ensure its administrative management, launch 3 calls for applications submission, organize transparent recruitment process and provide successful fellows with motivating working conditions.
Pandemic, recession and war in the neighbour country have greatly affected the entire world. When preparing the contingency plan, we did not take into consideration such serious consequences which needed to be addressed and mitigated. The overall situation has affected the project in several aspects. Thanks to our SASPRO 2 admin team who were willing to overcome the struggle it was possible to successfully implement the planned activities. Our previous experience with implementation is being very valuable in the implementation of the current project, in which we are acting as coordinator. The first 24 months were set aside for the setup of the programme. The public website was created for swift publishing of current information and allowing the online application preparation and submission by applicants. Management and coordination of all project partners was insured via smooth management of legal, contractual and administrative issues. Regular communication between partners, external partners and EC, organization and administration, the financial management has been established. Bodies required to monitor, govern and assess were formed – the Steering Committee, Evaluations Committees, Ethical Committee and Appeal committee.
Description of the main results achieved: Functional mobility programme framework according the approved project was set up. All necessary programme bodies were created and are composed of top scientists and managers. The Programme SASPRO 2 day-to-day management is performed by experienced and qualified staff of all three participating organisations. All documents necessary for the implementation of the project have been duly drawn up and approved. Programme webpage and online Portal were created and are being regularly updated. 3 calls were launched and widely advertised. Applicants freely choose research topic. Assessment process comply with European standards via fair professional, transparent, objective and non-discrimination conditions. Methodological assistance was provided. 174 applications were obtained within 3 calls, SAS: 114 applications, STU: 27, CU: 33 application. 48 + 3 (reserve list) = 51 applications were approved for funding, 8 withdrawn during negotiation, 43 applicants offered fellowships minus 2 fellows withdrawn earlier after few months. 7 applicants pending. SAS is a proud member of Euraxess family and provided its services with visa arrangements to all fellows relocating to Slovakia from abroad. All fellows are employed under a full-time contract with the Host organisation according to the Slovak legislation. An appropriate and adequate salary with social security coverage, social benefits and additional allowances are being provided. Every successful application recommended for funding and applications on the reserve list has been assessed the programme Ethical Committee in order to demonstrate adherence to the ethical framework of H2020 and national legislation rules, regular check-ups. Fellows elaborated their Individual development plans, wide range of soft skills trainings was offered. Number of active projects as of 30/09/2022: 32.
The measurable objectives for the first two years of the project were to establish the structure of the programme, ensure its administrative management, launch 3 calls for applications submission, organize transparent recruitment process and provide successful fellows with motivating working conditions.
Pandemic, recession and war in the neighbour country have greatly affected the entire world. When preparing the contingency plan, we did not take into consideration such serious consequences which needed to be addressed and mitigated. The overall situation has affected the project in several aspects. Thanks to our SASPRO 2 admin team who were willing to overcome the struggle it was possible to successfully implement the planned activities. Our previous experience with implementation is being very valuable in the implementation of the current project, in which we are acting as coordinator. The first 24 months were set aside for the setup of the programme. The public website was created for swift publishing of current information and allowing the online application preparation and submission by applicants. Management and coordination of all project partners was insured via smooth management of legal, contractual and administrative issues. Regular communication between partners, external partners and EC, organization and administration, the financial management has been established. Bodies required to monitor, govern and assess were formed – the Steering Committee, Evaluations Committees, Ethical Committee and Appeal committee.
Description of the main results achieved: Functional mobility programme framework according the approved project was set up. All necessary programme bodies were created and are composed of top scientists and managers. The Programme SASPRO 2 day-to-day management is performed by experienced and qualified staff of all three participating organisations. All documents necessary for the implementation of the project have been duly drawn up and approved. Programme webpage and online Portal were created and are being regularly updated. 3 calls were launched and widely advertised. Applicants freely choose research topic. Assessment process comply with European standards via fair professional, transparent, objective and non-discrimination conditions. Methodological assistance was provided. 174 applications were obtained within 3 calls, SAS: 114 applications, STU: 27, CU: 33 application. 48 + 3 (reserve list) = 51 applications were approved for funding, 8 withdrawn during negotiation, 43 applicants offered fellowships minus 2 fellows withdrawn earlier after few months. 7 applicants pending. SAS is a proud member of Euraxess family and provided its services with visa arrangements to all fellows relocating to Slovakia from abroad. All fellows are employed under a full-time contract with the Host organisation according to the Slovak legislation. An appropriate and adequate salary with social security coverage, social benefits and additional allowances are being provided. Every successful application recommended for funding and applications on the reserve list has been assessed the programme Ethical Committee in order to demonstrate adherence to the ethical framework of H2020 and national legislation rules, regular check-ups. Fellows elaborated their Individual development plans, wide range of soft skills trainings was offered. Number of active projects as of 30/09/2022: 32.
Programme SASPRO 2 is successful continuation of our former programme SASPRO. Statistics from the previous SASPRO has shown that out of 38 financed projects - fellows, 15 fellows were Slovak origin. The majority of fellows became head of departments, even a director of institute. SASPRO 2 out of active projects are again 15 Slovaks. We can already see the positive effects of the action by number of talented Slovaks returning back from top foreign research centres. Fellows enriching research organisation of all partners organisations, their contribution to raise the quality level of Slovak and therefore European science and research environment. By establishing new opportunities for career and personal development via acquiring new skills and knowledges. New scientific results, publications, monographs, international cooperation at individual as well as at institutional level by all finished fellowship is highly expected. All three partners organisations are based in the capital city of Bratislava, which is just an hour´s drive from Brno in the Czech Republic and Vienna, Austria. Both neighbouring countries have significant impact on the outflow of highly talented abroad. Our programme is the right alternative that offers competitive conditions for researchers to work for host organisations of SAS, STU and CU.