Announcement by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) "Junior Research Group Bioimaging"

Announcement of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) [May 20, 2006 - deadline: October 31, 2006]

---

1. Funding purpose and legal basis

1.1 Funding purpose

Imaging techniques have become a key technology in modern biomedicine. New clinical areas of application are evolving due to improved methods for providing images of organs of the human body, such as the brain or the cardiovascular system, for example, as well as in the field of oncology. The use of functional imaging in the neurosciences is also of particular scientific importance for basic research. In addition, imaging techniques are being used increasingly to examine animal models of human diseases and allow a better understanding of fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms and the definition of new therapeutic approaches.

Increasingly efficient large-scale research equipment and the continuous further and new development of imaging examination methods, inter alia magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) and positron emission tomography (PET), have made a particular contribution to this rapid development.

This has led to a greater need for qualified scientific staff in leading positions. Providing support for outstanding young scientists by enabling them to conduct independent research at an early stage in their careers is a way to counter the impending shortage of qualified researchers in this area. This means that research locations which regard imaging techniques as an integral part of their research profile can be provided with the necessary technological and scientific know-how and this branch of research can be given a broad scientific basis in the long term.

The “Junior Research Group Bioimaging” funding activity will therefore support young scientists in their scientific careers in such a way that they can develop an independent profile as researchers in the field of non-invasive imaging techniques and improve their career prospects.

1.2 Legal basis

Project grants will be awarded in accordance with the present funding regulations, the BMBF's standard terms and conditions for grants on an expenditure or cost basis and the administrative regulations under section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO). Applicants have no legal entitlement to a grant. The BMBF will decide on the award of grants after due assessment of the circumstances within the framework of the budget funds available.

2. Object of funding

In accordance with the above objectives, young scientists with doctoral degrees from Germany or abroad who have already demonstrated their exceptional scientific performance in the field of innovative non-invasive imaging techniques will be given the opportunity to conduct independent and autonomous research by setting up a junior research group and to thus gain outstanding skills.

The young scientists are to use the funds provided within the framework of the funding measure to conduct an independently structured research programme at a German university or research establishment.

Applications can be made to set up junior research groups in one of the following three areas:

(1) Clinical or clinical-theoretical application in humans, focussing on organ systems (e.g. brain, cardiac system) or fields of disease (e.g. oncology).
(2)  Bioimaging in animal models with relevance to human application.
(3) Further development of technical or methodological aspects of non-invasive bioimaging with regard to biomedical approaches in close interdisciplinary cooperation between biomedical users and technical developers. 

3. Grant recipients

Applications may be submitted by state and non-state institutions of higher education and by non-university research establishments in Germany. Research establishments which receive joint basic funding from the Federal Government and the Länder can only be granted project funding for additional expenditure under certain preconditions.

4. Prerequisites for awarding grants

Above all, funding for a junior research group presupposes an excellent group leader whose abilities must be documented i.a. by corresponding publications. There is no age limit for applicants. More important than the applicant’s chronological age is his or her "professional age”. It is intended to make it easier for the applicant to continue a scientific career.

The potential group leader has to apply for a junior research group together with an established centre for imaging techniques or a corresponding faculty with a focus on imaging techniques in the areas mentioned above. The precondition for funding is that the scientist is taken on by the centre or the corresponding faculty. The topic which the junior research group is working on must complement the profile of the centre or faculty.

The host institution of higher education or research establishment must commit itself to providing the necessary rooms and basic equipment and to covering overhead expenses and it must supply the necessary apparatus. The application for the junior research group must state in which way the future group leader can make use of his or her skills in teaching and in how far he or she will have the opportunity to supervise doctoral students.

In their own interest, applicants should familiarize themselves with the EU's Research Framework Programme in the context of the envisaged national project. Before submitting an application to the BMBF, they should check whether the envisaged project includes specific European components which make it eligible for exclusive EU funding. Applicants should furthermore investigate whether an application for supplementary funding can be submitted to the EU. They should briefly describe the results of such checks in their application for national funding. Information on EU funding is available at http://www.nks-lebenswissenschaften.de

5. Type, scope and level of funding

Funds may be awarded in the form of non-repayable project grants.

Applications for junior research groups can be made for an initial period of 5 years. A mid-term review of the junior research group will take place after 3 years. The decision on the continuation of the junior research group will depend on the result of the mid-term review. Particularly well qualified groups will be given the opportunity to apply for funding for an additional, sixth year and, if appropriate, for a further position for a Ph.D. student.

Applications may be made for funds to cover staff, equipment and travel expenses as well as for funds for investments. Details can be found in the “Guide for Applicants” (cf. under 7.2).

The basis for calculating the grants for universities, research establishments and similar institutions in Germany is the eligible project-related expenditure (in the case of the Helmholtz centres; and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG) the eligible project-related costs), which can be funded up to a maximum of 100 per cent.

The European Commission's Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development must be taken into account when fixing the rates of funding.

6.  Other terms and conditions for awarding grants

Part of the notification of the award of cost-based grants are the Allgemeine Neben-bestimmungen für Zuwendungen auf Kostenbasis des BMBF an Unternehmen der gewerblichen Wirtschaft für FuE-Vorhaben (General Auxiliary Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF to Commercial Companies for Research and Development Projects on Cost basis) (NKBF98).

Part of the notification of the award of grants on an expenditure basis are the Allgemeine Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen zur Projektförderung (ANBest-P) (General Auxiliary Conditions for Grants Provided for Projects on an Expenditure Basis)and the Besondere Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen des BMBF zur Projektförderung auf Ausgabenbasis (BNBest-BMBF 98) (Special Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF for the Promotion of Projects on Expenditure Basis).

7.  Procedure

7.1 Involvement of a project management organization and request for documents

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has entrusted the following project management agency with the implementation of the funding activity:

Projektträger im DLR für das BMBF
Gesundheitsforschung
Heinrich-Konen-Straße 1
53227 Bonn
Telephone: +49 (0) 228-3821-210
Telefax: +49 (0) 228-3821-257
www.pt-dlr.de

The contact partner for neuroscience questions is Dr. Martin Barth (Telephone: +49 (0) 228-3821-250),
for all other areas Dr. Antje Pohl (Telephone: +49 (0)228-3821-240).

Applicants are strongly advised to contact the project management agency for advice on how to submit applications. The project management agency will provide further information and details.

Application forms as well as guidelines, brochures, information for applicants and the auxiliary terms and conditions for awarding grants are available on the Internet at http://www.kp.dlr.de/profi/easy/formular.html or can be obtained directly from the project management agency. Applicants may also use the "easy" electronic application system.

7.2. Funding procedure

The funding procedure is two-tiered. However, it only entails one specialist evaluation involving external experts.

7.2.1 Presentation and selection of project descriptions

As a first step, project descriptions in English are to be sent to the project management organization by post

from now up to 31 October 2006 at the latest.

The project descriptions should enable the review board to form a final opinion. The deadline for submission is not a cut-off date. However, it may not be possible to consider project outlines received after this date. Applicants who intend to submit their proposals after 31 October 2006 are strongly advised to contact the project management organization before doing so. Applications may not be sent by "electronic mail" or fax.

The informal, provisional project descriptions should not exceed 20 pages. Twenty copies on DIN A 4 paper, printed on both sides, 1.5 line spacing are to be submitted together with an electronic version (pdf file on CD-ROM). The "Guidelines for Applicants" provide details of the information which should be contained in the project description. They are available at www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de/foerderung.

No legal entitlement can be derived from the submission of a project description.

The evaluation of the provisional project descriptions will involve an independent, international review board and will be based on the following criteria in particular:
- Scientific objective of the junior research group (scientific quality, degree of innovation)
- Scientific qualifications of the scientist submitting the application (previous work, publications)
- Profile of the host institution or research establishment with regard to bioimaging techniques
- Concept for integrating the junior research group into the institution or establishment.
Suitable projects for funding will be selected on the basis of the assessment. The project management organization will inform the applicants in writing of the result of the review.

7.2.2 Presentation of formal applications for funding and decision-making process

In the second part of the process, applicants whose applications have been reviewed positively will be asked to send in a formal application for funding which will be the basis of the final decision.

Questions concerning the approval and payment of and accounting for funds as well as proof and examination of proper use and, if necessary, the revocation of the award and the reclaiming of the funds awarded are governed by the administrative regulations pertaining to section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO) and sections 48 to 49a of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG) unless deviation is permitted under the present funding regulations.

8. Entry into force

These funding regulations will enter into force on the date of publication in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).

Berlin, 12 May 2006

Federal Ministry of Education and Research
 
Dr. Hausdorf