KiNSIS Micro Proposals

"Writing a proposal was also a learning process. Getting this grant and being able to put it on my CV also means visibility for me." Dr. Arnab Banerjee, Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, CAU

"Thanks to the funding from the micro proposal, I had the freedom to select a conference outside my field and present my work there independently. Moreover, establishing valuable connections there enriched my research with additional expertise. This autonomy was a direct result of the funding." Dr.-Ing. Mariya Pravdivtseva, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, UKSH

"Without the proposal, I would not have found some of the collaboration partners for my research. The proposal started something new and the collaboration still goes on. We have also published a paper together." Dr. Niklas Wolff, Institute of Materials Science, CAU

Every year, KiNSIS awards four micro proposals to young researchers for their own innovative research projects (endowed with 2,000 euro each), which can serve as the basis for further project proposals. The aim of the funding measure is to enhance individual scientists' research profiles at the beginning of their careers. The funds can be used for student assistants, travel expenses, software or consumables, but they must not be used to finance the scientist's own position. The funds must be used within one year. The grant recipients present their project and their scientific results in the form of a short presentation during a KiNSIS event such as a retreat, a members' meeting, etc.

• Applications can be submitted for all types of research proposals on current and future KiNSIS topics, incl. start-up projects aiming to initiate or advance larger joint research projects (collaborative research).
• It is not possible to apply for an extension of already existing projects.

 
Important dates:

• Application deadline: 01 March of each year
• Announcement of the decision: April of each year
• End of funding: 01 May of the following year

Who can apply:

• Postdoctoral researchers with a fixed-term employment contract or a W1 professorship without tenure track in a study group of a KiNSIS member or in one of the KiNSIS' research areas
• In order to use the funding, the applicant must currently be employed by Kiel University or a partner institution, or be a fellow there.
• Applicants who have already received a micro proposal grant cannot apply again.

Formalities:

The application documents should be submitted in English (Arial typeface, font size 11) and include the following:

• Cover letter incl. project overview and motivation, reference to the KiNSIS' core research topics as well as work plan, budget plan and references. Please use this template (Word document).
• Curriculum vitae (max. of 2 A4 pages)
• Letter of recommendation from a KiNSIS member describing the scientific quality of the proposed project and the academic background of the applicant.
   

Objectives and criteria:

The KiNSIS micro proposals are intended to support researchers at the beginning of their scientific careers in strengthening their research profile through innovative and high-risk research projects within the thematic framework of KiNSIS.

The main evaluation criteria for KiNSIS micro proposals are:

• Scientific quality of the proposed project
• Suitability and academic career of the applicant
   

In addition, applications covering the following aspects are encouraged:

• Supporting the strategic goals of KiNSIS
• Interdisciplinary research projects (preferably within KiNSIS)

The KiNSIS Board will use these criteria to decide on the funding of the micro proposals.