Funding Resources for Shandong Researchers
This page is designed as a resource for researchers from Shandong. Here you can find the different funding agencies pages where calls will be published. Also on this page are opportunities for mobility funding, both incoming and outgoing, funding for training young researchers, and fellowship and scholarship opportunities for PhD students from Shandong who want to study in the other RLS regions.
Multilateral Funding for International Projects
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Dragon Star Plus | European Union and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology
Established in 2015, DRAGON-STARPLUS follows its predecessor (DRAGON-STAR) in its important mandate to provide support services to European and Chinese researchers and policy makers, and to offer a flexible platform to facilitate policy discussions between European and Chinese stakeholders. Horizon 2020 is fully open to international participation in all fields and areas. Chinese researchers, enterprises, research institutions and universities will be able to team up with their European partners to participate in projects under Horizon 2020 and make best use of Europe's excellent opportunities in research and innovation. Through participation in Horizon 2020 beneficiaries can gain great benefits from access to excellent knowledge, access to research data and access and connection to world-leading scientific networks and research teams. The Chinese Government and the EU have set up a co-funding mechanism on research and innovation to support joint projects between European and Chinese universities, research institutions and companies (as Chinese participants in Horizon 2020 are no longer automatically funded). Under the co-funding mechanism, up to 200 million RMB, or 28 million euro, will be made available annually by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on the Chinese side for the benefit of China-based entities that will participate in joint projects with European partners under Horizon 2020. The European Commission expects to continue spending over 100 million Euros per year for the benefit of Europe-based entities in joint projects under H2020 with Chinese participants. Visit the DRAGON STAR Plus website. Read the guide for Chinese participation in Horizon 2020. |
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Integrated solutions for flexible operation of
fossil fuel power plants through power-to-X-to-power and/or energy
storage (LC-SC3-NZE-4-2019) | Horizon 2020 European Union
Deadline: 27 August, 2019 Value: The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the range of EUR 6 to 10 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. With a growing share of energy produced from renewable resources (RES), fossil fuel power plants will have to increasingly shift their role from providing base-load power to providing fluctuating back-up power (i.e. ramping up and down) in order to control and stabilise the grid. These strong fluctuations result not only in increased wear-and-tear, but (more importantly) also in a lower efficiency and hence higher greenhouse gas emissions per unit of produced electricity. Severe ramping up and down can be limited through load-levelling i.e. storing power during periods of light loading on the system and delivering it during periods of high demand. Validation and pilot demonstration of the integration of energy storage and/or use of excess energy (including via power-to-X-to-power) in fossil fuel power plants and showing that EU emission limits for such installations can not only still be met, but that emissions of air pollutants can even be reduced. This could include the enabling of the combustion system to deal with synthetic fuels and/or hydrogen enriched fuels, as well as a better integration of combined production of heat and power into the overall system. Proposals are expected to bring technologies to TRL 6-7 (please see part G of the General Annexes). Technology development has to be complemented by activities to create awareness, gain feedback on societal impact and advancing society’s readiness for the proposed solutions. Expected Impact: Solutions will contribute to a smart, secure and more resilient power system through the integration of energy storage for the purpose of load levelling in fossil fuel power generation. Results of the project(s) should allow a smoother operation of these plants at optimal efficiency and environmental performance in order to better adapt to an energy systems that will increasingly be dominated by intermittent renewable energy. Call Website |
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Development of solutions based on renewable sources that provide flexibility to the energy system (H2020-LC-SC3-2018-2019-2020) | Horizon 2020 European Union
Deadline: 27 August, 2019 Value: The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 3 to 5 million would allow this challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Supporting the balancing of the power grid and increasing the flexibility of the energy system is possible through dispatchable renewable energy sources, such as for example bioenergy and hydropower. The specific challenge is to increase the potential and performance of dispatchable technologies to provide flexibility services to the energy system by improving their technological characteristics. Proposals will address one of the following sub-topics:
The increased flexibility of the energy system will allow the penetration of a higher share of variable output renewables in the energy mix without affecting system stability. Call Website |
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Converting Sunlight to storable chemical energy (LC-SC3-RES-29-2019) | Horizon 2020 European Union
Deadline: 27 August, 2019 Value: The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 2 to 3 million would allow this challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. This call specifies international cooperation as a priority. To replace fossil energy with sustainable alternatives that provide the same flexibility and convenience of use, we need to store sustainable energy on a large scale and for a long time in new kind of energy storage compounds. This can be done by direct conversion of sunlight into storable chemicals that can be stored for a virtually unlimited time. At present, these processes can be performed at the level of small prototype devices at high cost. Therefore, research and innovation are needed to bring these approaches from infancy to maturity. The production of clean forms of storable chemical energy from direct sunlight is the next step. Performance breakthroughs, including day and night continuous processes, and cost reductions are a must in order to unlock the potential of technologies converting sunlight to storable chemical energy. This challenge is fully aligned to the "Converting Sunlight Innovation Challenge"[1] identified as a priority in Mission Innovation. Proposals are expected to address renewable energy technologies that will answer the challenge described in the "Converting Sunlight Innovation Challenge" of Mission Innovation, bringing them up to TRL 4 or 5. Beside the technological development, the proposal will have to clearly address the following related aspects: the potential lower environmental impact than the current technologies, possibly through a LCA analysis, the better resource efficiency, issues related to social acceptance or resistance to new energy technologies, related socioeconomic and livelihood issues, and prospective market analysis. The proposal needs to consider all three dimensions of sustainability, resource efficiency and scalability, i.e. not using materials which are uncommon, dangerous or scarce that could disable its future concept to be used at large scale. At least one of the following technology-specific challenges has to be addressed:
The area of electrolysers efficiently utilizing a renewable electricity input, such as provided by photovoltaics, wind turbines or other sustainable means, is not covered by this challenge. The proposal must have a plausible pathway to scale the technology to the terawatt scale by 2050, a plausible potential for an EROI > 10 (EROI: Energy returned on energy invested) and the full recyclability of the conversion devices in the context of a circular economy must be ensured. As part of Mission Innovation actions, the project will be required to contribute towards the activities of the "Converting Sunlight Innovation Challenge". Beside solving the technical challenge, the consortium is expected to budget the participation in the development of the Challenge work plan through activities such as dissemination, exchange of researcher and networking as well as through contributing in official meetings. Projects will not only contribute to mitigating climate change through the production of storable chemical energy from the sun, but also enhance energy security and provide opportunities for economic development across the globe. Projects should show its contribution towards establishing a solid European innovation base and building a sustainable renewable energy system. Contributing to Mission Innovation aims, projects will deepen the international collaboration in clean energy research and development. Call Website |
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ERA-NET Co-Fund Enhanced cooperation in Digitalisation of Energy Systems and Networks (LC-SC3-ES-9-2019) | European Union Horizon 2020
Deadline: 27 August, 2019 Value: The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution in the range of EUR 10 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Cross-Themes: Digitalisation, Energy Beyond direct efficiency gains and cost savings, digitalization holds the potential to catalyse fundamental, system-wide changes in Energy Systems and Networks. As digitalisation advances, a highly and cross-sectoral interconnected system of energy systems and infrastructures can emerge, with increasing opportunities for integration of renewables and efficient energy management. Electricity is likely to be the first energy sector impacted, digitisation enabling stronger connections to the heating and cooling sector, in particular in buildings and the mobility sector. Digitalisation can also foster enhanced the participation of stakeholders in local, regional and European value chains. Local communities and prosumers may gradually begin to leverage the opportunities for their involvement in energy communities and energy transactions and boost European innovation and businesses. In order to achieve this, energy stakeholders must work hand in hand with highly innovative newcomers and lateral thinkers that have a “digital mindset” (e.g.: the block chain community) and also integrate the know-how and experience from other sectors. The approach should also engage potential customers such as infrastructure operators, local industries or communities and end-users in value chains from the local and regional up to the European and global levels. Therefore, support is needed for the development of future digital platforms, applications and business which maximize benefits for European citizens while incentivising a sustainable, secure and resilient energy system where data protection is guaranteed. Coordinated transnational Research, Demonstration and Innovation actions has the potential to make a large impact. Proposals should coordinate national (or regional) energy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) research, demonstration and innovation programs and pool the necessary financial resources with a view to implementing joint calls for proposals resulting in grants to third parties with EU co-funding in this area. The scope of activities should include
Proposals should make use of state of the art innovation methodology (such as co-creation, design thinking, policy lab) to the community of solution designers to ensure high quality and highly dynamic communication between involved stakeholder groups. Proposals should include the set-up of a knowledge platform and promote transnational mutual learning. Overall, proposals are expected to enhance the collaboration of regional and national ICT and energy programs and their stakeholder communities, to leverage associated research and innovation / development funds and existing tools and outcomes from former European initiatives like e.g. the Internet of Energy projects FINSENY[2] and FINESCE[3] and contribute to the objectives of SET-Plan Action 4 on 'Increasing the resilience and security of the energy system'[4]. Proposals should also contribute to develop need driven implementation environments on regional and local levels. More specifically, proposals are expected to:
Delegation Exception Footnote: This activity directly aimed at supporting public-public partnerships with Member States and associated countries, technology platforms with industrial partners and earth observation networks is excluded from the delegation to INEA and will be implemented by the Commission services. [1]A living lab is a user-centered, open-innovation ecosystem often operating in a territorial context (e.g. city, agglomeration, region), integrating concurrent research and innovation processes (co-creation), potentially relying on a public-private-people partnership. [2]http://www.fi-ppp-finseny.eu/ [3]http://www.finesce.eu/ [4]https://setis.ec.europa.eu/actions-towards-implementing-integrated-set-plan/implementation-plans Call Website |
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Development of next generation biofuel and alternative renewable fuel technologies for aviation and shipping (LC-SC3-RES-23-2019) | European Union Horizon 2020
Deadline: 27 August, 2019 Value: The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 3 to 5 million would allow this challenge to be addressed appropriately. Cross-Themes: Aerospace, Energy The specific challenge is to increase the competitiveness of next generation biofuel and renewable fuel technologies in aviation and shipping, compared to fossil fuel alternatives. Proposals will develop next generation non-food/feed drop-in biofuel and alternative renewable fuel technologies for aviation and shipping transport, which improve substantially beyond the state-of-the-art the performance regarding conversion efficiency, cost and feedstock supply by addressing:
The supported projects are expected to reduce costs and improve performance of renewable fuels for aviation and shipping regarding the efficiency, the environment and society. View the call here. |
Bilateral Funding for International Projects
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China-USA Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) | National Science Foundation (USA) and Ministry of Science and Technology (China)
(Please note this call is now closed, but will reopen in 2020) Value: Average award has been $4 million USD, over five years Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) is an NSF-wide program that supports international activities across all NSF supported disciplines. The primary goal of PIRE is to support high quality projects in which advances in research and education could not occur without international collaboration. PIRE seeks to catalyze a higher level of international engagement in the U.S. science and engineering community. Engineering is a topic specified within the programme. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), China is partnering with the NSF PIRE Program according to Model 3 – Post-Award Recommendation Review. China-based researchers who are partners in PIRE projects may be eligible for joint funding from MOST, China. All areas of research supported by the NSF are eligible. MOST, China is not planning to conduct a separate competition for the proposed PIRE collaborators in China. Note on Model 3. Post-Award Recommendation Review - In this model, agencies will work closely with NSF from the moment that the PIRE invited proposals are recommended by the Office of International and Integrative Activities (OIIA) for award. Counterpart agencies will opt out of the preliminary and full proposal stage. Coordination and sharing of information with counterpart agencies will begin at the time full proposals are recommended for award. Visit the PIRE website. |
Incoming Mobility Funding
Bringing RLS-Sciences counterparts to Shandong
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São Paulo Researchers in International Cooperation (SPRINT) | São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
Deadline: 29 April, 2019 Value: dependant on proposal, please see below The objective of the SPRINT programme is to promote the engagement of researchers affiliated to institutions of higher education and research in the State of São Paulo in partnership with researchers abroad in order to: 1) further develop qualitatively the ongoing research projects; and 2) work cooperatively aiming at the elaboration of joint research projects of medium and long term, for submission to FAPESP, by researchers from the State of São Paulo, and to the research funding agencies in the countries of corresponding partners, by their colleagues. SPRINT provides funding for the initial phase of international research collaborations with clear expectations that the next phase will be a presentation, by the researchers from the State of São Paulo, of research proposals in the regular funding lines of FAPESP aiming to continue the research started under SPRINT and the consequently consolidation of the partnership. Foreign partners must provide their own funding through the appropriate partner agencies. Selected projects must last between 12 and 24 months. Joint petitioners should submit their proposals in both countries, using the appropriate forms supplied by the respective agencies. Each proposal will initially be analyzed by the agency in the country of its origin. Selected proposals will then be evaluated by a panel of FAPESP and representatives of the other partner institution. There are four calls each year. The deadlines for the submission of proposals in each round will be determined annually and will always be on the last Monday of each following month: January, April, July, and October. Regularly, proposals may only be submitted for mobility of researchers from the State of São Paulo and from institutions abroad that hold cooperation agreements with FAPESP. However, in this call FAPESP will also accept proposals from researchers whose partners are from institutions with which FAPESP does not have a current agreement or with which FAPESP has current agreements but whose institutions are not joining the current SPRINT edition. There are no partner institutions from Shandong for this call, but researchers may still apply via their institutions. Review the call here. Review the SPRINT Guidelines here (please note you will need to scroll down past the lists of partner institutions). |
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Germany/China Joint Research Programme: PPP Programme for Project Related Personal Exchange | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
(Please note this call is now closed, but reopens in April) Value: Up to €9000 per year, for up to two years with the possibility for extension Through its PPP programmes DAAD supports joint bi-national research projects of a high academic standard in order to strengthen academic relations between a German institution and an institution abroad and to promote cooperative research activities. The provided project funding is intended to cover mobility costs for German participants arising from the research project, and in particular to enable young academics involved in the project to conduct a research stay at the partner institution abroad, thereby supporting them in their international training. An application must present a specific academic research project of high quality, on which the partners from Germany and the foreign partner country intend to work together in an ideally complementary manner. Proposals involving research into general scientific questions of interest to both research groups are not sufficient. Basic financing of the project (personal and material expenses on both sides) must be ensured. The German funding application and the funding application from the foreign partner must be submitted simultaneously, if not otherwise agreed for the specific country. Applications submitted by only one party will result in exclusion from the selection procedure. The allowance covers all expenditures within the scope of mobility and the stay. Eligible for funding are short-term stays of academics (up to 30 days) and young academics (up to 50 days). On the German side, DAAD provides funding for members of the German research group for stays at the foreign partner institution if no other arrangement was made with the foreign partner institution. For the purposes of this programme, young academics are defined as junior researchers currently completing their doctorate and academics at the outset of their academic careers who completed their doctorate no more than five years ago. Programme Website. (in German) |
Bringing RLS-Sciences students to Shandong
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International Internships- Energy | Fonds de recherche du Québec- Nature et technologies
(Please note this call is now closed) Value: Maximum 15 000 CAD *Please note this scholarship is limited to students studying in Québec. The objective of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies International Internships Digital program is to promote the international mobility of doctoral students whose research is in an area related to energy. Applicants may apply for funding to support internships or training at an institution in one of the other six RLS regions (Bavaria, Georgia, São Paulo, Shandong, Upper Austria, Western Cape). Eligible applicants must be registered full-time as graduate students at a university in Québec. Please note that citizens of the six RLS regions outside of Québec (Bavaria, Georgia, São Paulo, Shandong, Upper Austria, Western Cape) who are registered full-time at a university in Québec are not eligible for this scholarship. Studies must begin no later than 31 March, 2019 and must be continue for a minimum of two months and a maximum of six months. Learn more, and apply here. |
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Canada-China Postdoctoral Fellowships Supplement | Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada and National Natural Science Foundation of China
(Please note this call is now closed) Value: $10,000/ year (Canadian dollars), plus $35,000 to hosting professor in China for two years Note: This supplement is available to you only if you are awarded an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between NSERC and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), first signed in 1987 and renewed in 1995, both agencies have agreed to launch a three-year pilot initiative focused on postdoctoral fellows. These awards are intended to facilitate the movement of Canadian postdoctoral fellows to China and to provide support to postdoctoral fellows and researchers in both countries to travel and participate in international collaborations. Through the initiative and on a competitive basis, NSERC will award up to 10 supplements of $10,000 per year for two years to successful Post Doctoral Fellow applicants who specified the People’s Republic of China as a location of tenure for the award. Additionally, NSFC will provide funding of approximately $35,000 for research expenses to eligible professors in China who host an NSERC postdoctoral fellow. To be considered eligible for a PDF as of the deadline date of the year in which you apply, you must: - be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada; - hold or expect to hold a doctorate in one of the fields of research that NSERC supports; and - have completed all requirements of your first doctoral degree no more than two years before the deadline date of the year in which you apply, or by September 1 of the year of the award announcement. Applicants should indicate their interest in a location of tenure in China in their PDF application. Following the results of the competition, winners who had not previously indicated their interest in China may do so no later than September 1. All applicants to the PDF competition who indicate a location of tenure in China will be considered for the supplements; however, the supplements will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. You may hold a PDF abroad only if you have received your doctorate from a Canadian university. |
Outgoing Mobility Funding
Visiting RLS-Sciences colleagues outside of Shandong
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São Paulo Researchers in International Cooperation (SPRINT) | São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
Deadline: 29 April, 2019 Value: dependant on proposal, please see below The objective of the SPRINT programme is to promote the engagement of researchers affiliated to institutions of higher education and research in the State of São Paulo in partnership with researchers abroad in order to: 1) further develop qualitatively the ongoing research projects; and 2) work cooperatively aiming at the elaboration of joint research projects of medium and long term, for submission to FAPESP, by researchers from the State of São Paulo, and to the research funding agencies in the countries of corresponding partners, by their colleagues. SPRINT provides funding for the initial phase of international research collaborations with clear expectations that the next phase will be a presentation, by the researchers from the State of São Paulo, of research proposals in the regular funding lines of FAPESP aiming to continue the research started under SPRINT and the consequently consolidation of the partnership. Foreign partners must provide their own funding through the appropriate partner agencies. Selected projects must last between 12 and 24 months. Joint petitioners should submit their proposals in both countries, using the appropriate forms supplied by the respective agencies. Each proposal will initially be analyzed by the agency in the country of its origin. Selected proposals will then be evaluated by a panel of FAPESP and representatives of the other partner institution. There are four calls each year. The deadlines for the submission of proposals in each round will be determined annually and will always be on the last Monday of each following month: January, April, July, and October. Regularly, proposals may only be submitted for mobility of researchers from the State of São Paulo and from institutions abroad that hold cooperation agreements with FAPESP. However, in this call FAPESP will also accept proposals from researchers whose partners are from institutions with which FAPESP does not have a current agreement or with which FAPESP has current agreements but whose institutions are not joining the current SPRINT edition. There are no partner institutions from Shandong for this call, but researchers may still apply via their institutions. Review the call here. Review the SPRINT Guidelines here (please note you will need to scroll down past the lists of partner institutions). |
Sending RLS-Sciences students to colleagues outside of Shandong
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International Internships- Energy | Fonds de recherche du Québec- Nature et technologies
(Please note this call is now closed) Value: Maximum 15 000 CAD The objective of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies International Internships Digital program is to promote the international mobility of doctoral students whose research is in an area related to energy. Applicants may apply for funding to support internships or training at an institution in Québec university or a Québec College Centre for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT). Eligible applicants must be registered full-time as graduate students at a university in one of the RLS regions (Bavaria, Georgia, São Paulo, Shandong, Upper Austria, Western Cape) in energy. Please note that citizens of the six RLS regions outside of Québec (Bavaria, Georgia, São Paulo, Shandong, Upper Austria, Western Cape) who are registered full-time at a university in Québec are not eligible for this scholarship. Studies must begin no later than 31 March, 2019 and must be continue for a minimum of two months and a maximum of six months. Learn more, and apply here. |
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Québec-China Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students | Fonds de recherche du Québec-Nature et technologies
(Please note this call is now closed) Value: please refer to the individual descriptions The objective of the Merit Scholarship Programs for Foreign Students (PBEEE) is to support the internationalization of research activities in Québec's institutions of higher education, to attract the best foreign researchers and students, and to promote Québec universities and College Centers for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT) abroad. The China Scholarship Council (CSC) will recommend at least 10 applicants for each of the competition's three components. The CSC must therefore take Québec's linguistic specificities into account. Doctoral Research Component Candidates are eligible for doctoral merit program scholarships from MEESR in the first nine sessions of their doctoral studies. All doctoral sessions, funded or unfunded, completed before the scholarship takes effect, are used in calculating the eligibility period. Doctoral research scholarship recipients must have a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Diversité et de l'Inclusion du Québec and a study permit issued by the Canadian Consulate valid for the entire duration of their scholarship. The maximum duration of the scholarship is three years (nine sessions), with a possible extension of up to 12 months. The scholarship is valued at $25,000 / year. Postdoctoral Component Postdoctoral scholarships are intended for researchers who have obtained their degree no more than two years before the deadline of the competition or who submitted their dissertation by the deadline for the beginning of scholarship use. Postdoctoral research must be conducted in an institution other than the one that granted the Doctorate. The applicant's doctoral supervisors and co-supervisors may not act as his/her postdoctoral supervisor, even if they have changed institutions. Postdoctoral scholarship or short-term research or professional development scholarship recipients must have a work permit issued by the Canadian Consulate for the entire duration of their scholarship. The duration of this scholarship is for up to one year. This scholarship is not renewable. The scholarship is valued at $35,000 for one year. Short-Term Research or Professional Development Component Short-term research or professional development scholarships are intended for technical and university students (option A) or researchers who have completed a doctorate no more than five years before the deadline for the competition (option B). The research or professional development must be conducted in an institution other than the one at which the student was enrolled when he or she applied. The duration of this scholarship is for up to four months. The scholarship is not renewable. The scholarship is valued at $3,000/month. Programme Website. |