The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation announces a new programme supporting the activity of scientist in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences.

In this context the Foundation will fund activities that aim to support and reinforce scientific societies, unions, associations and other relevant organisations and teams, based in Greece, aiming to:

• Upgrade infrastructure (e.g. new website, organisation of conferences with the use of new media etc) for the further strengthening of existing and future activities.
• The extroversion and establishment of partnerships with relevant organisations in Greece and abroad
• New activities that will develop the organisation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Eligible proposals should:

• Aim at the upgrade of the existing infrastructure and activities as well as the implementation of innovative practices that strengthen the organisation.
• Allow opening up to new areas/fields of activity
• Create multiplying benefit
• Have specific and/or measurable results

ELIGIBLE ORGANISATIONS

Non-profit independent scientific organisations, such as associations, union, social enterprises as well as research collectives and scientific groups are eligible to apply. The spectrum and quality of the implemented and future activities will also be considered as well the ability of the organisation/collective to mobilise the scientists of the field which it addresses and/or parts of the society.

Universities and state research centres including their laboratories are not eligible.

Note:

Εach entity has the ability to submit up to two (2) applications to the programme for the implementation of different projects. The online applications should be submitted separately and not in one application form. 

SCIENTIFIC FIELDS

Organisations with activity in all the fields of the Humanities and Social Sciences can participate in the programme. For the specific field please visit the list of European Research Council provided here.

IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

The proposals should be about projects beginning no sooner than January 1st 2016 and finishing at December 12th 2016.

BUDGET AND ELIGIBLE COSTS

Each proposal budget should not exceed the amount of five thousand euro (€5,000), including taxes, deductions etc.Indicative budget template is available HERE. 

The programme does not cover:

• Debts or financial deficits.
• Operational costs and equipment not related to the specific activity.

SUBMISSION

Proposals should only be submitted online, through the online submission system, which is available HERE. Before filling your application, please read the FAQ. 

Applications open Thursday, October 22, 2015

Deadline of applications Thursday, November 5th at 15:00

Results will be announced on December 2015.

RATIONALE

The Scientific Associations present rich scientific and educational activity e.g. journal publications., training for the members of the scientific community to which they refer to, organisation of conferences other events aiming to the dissemination of new knowledge etc. Many of them implement research programmes and promote the public dialogue and communication between the scientific community and society. Moreover they are constantly linked with universities, as a quite big amount of their members are postgraduate students, researchers and academics offering their services voluntarily.

Over that past few years most associations do not have the resources to continue their activity as their funds come from vulnerable sources (memberships, publications etc). At the same time, they are excluded from State and European Union funding programmes for research as they are not eligible to apply. The result is the relative inactivity and distancing from the collective processes and group, voluntary work of the members of the associations.

Lately, apart from the scientific associations, significant scientific activity has been presented by non-profit organisations, social enterprises and informal teams. In this programme all scientific collectives, formal and informal, can apply provided they have proven scientific activity and contribution to the scientific dialogue.