New procedures for the RCN FRIPRO calls
FRIPRO calls fund bottom-up, basic research, as opposed to thematic calls, where your project needs to fit into a thematic priority to get funded. RCN has made a number of changes to the FRIPRO process, starting autumn, 2023.
Overview of what we know so far (pdf)
The most important changes are outlined below:
- From autumn 2023, the FRIPRO calls will be open-ended.
- Thematic calls will still have yearly deadlines. Next will be March 2024. Thematic priorities are TBD. You can apply for both thematic and FRIPRO, and any waiting period or submission restriction from FRIPRO does not apply to thematic calls.
- All FRIPRO applicants get a one-year waiting period after submission, meaning that you will not be able to apply more than once a year. In addition to the waiting period, you will get a "submission restriction" (quarantine) if your overall grade is below a certain threshold. The thresholds are dependent on the type of application.
- Two of the project types have new names:
- Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal ⇒ Researcher Project for Experienced Scientists
- Researcher Project for Young Talents ⇒ Researcher Project for Early Career Scientists
Call types and submission restrictions
| Call type | Two-year submission restriction (in addition to 1-year waiting period) | One-year submission restriction (in addition to 1-year waiting period) | No submission restriction (only a 1-year waiting period) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Researcher Project for Experienced Scientists For researchers with 6+ years of experience after PhD |
3 or lower | Higher than 3, up to and including 5,5 | Higher than 5,5 |
|
Researcher Project for Early Career Scientists For researchers with 2-7 years of experience after PhD |
None | 4,5 or lower | Higher than 4,5 |
|
Three-year Researcher Project with International Mobility For researchers with 0-7 of experience after PhD |
None | None | All |
The thresholds are based on the average of the marks (1–7, with 7 being the highest mark) given by the panels.
Open-ended call - when is it strategic to apply?
The call will open in mid-October. RCN strongly advises us to send in our applications evenly throughout the year. RCN will award projects six times a year. Each time 1/6 of the year's budget will be allocated. If there are many strong applications at the same time, the threshold for being funded will be higher. RCN will implement some measures to even out differences from allocation to allocation, however they expect that these mechanisms will not be enough to even out the differences in the beginning. It may therefore be strategic to wait a while after the call opens to apply. Unless you have specific reasons for why you need to apply as soon as possible, our advice is to wait to apply and use the extra time to develop your application.
RCN FRIPRO Schedule autumn 2023
We have made an internal process leading up to the launch of the open-ended call. The schedule is preliminary and may change.
| What | Responsible | Deadline/Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Express interest via web form |
PI | 15 May |
|
Pitch to the leadership and PI group (for new projects and external applicants) |
PI | 23 May 13:15-15:00 |
|
RCN publishes the new calls |
RCN | Mid June |
|
(to the whole centre) |
PI | 6 September |
| RCN application webinar | RCN |
12 Sept (Norwegian) - Watch recording 13 Sept (English) - Watch recording
|
| Project workshop | PI | Tour de RITMO Xmas edition |
| Submit first draft to feedback group | PI | Individual deadline for each PI |
| Set up first budget draft | PI, RA and controller | Individual deadline for each PI |
| Feedback from readers | Feedback group | 3-4 weeks after submission |
| Budget approval from Departments | RA | Four weeks before planned submission |
| Submit second draft to leadership and RA | PI | Three weeks before planned submission |
| Finalize budget (No budget changes after this) | PI and RA | Two weeks before planned submission |
| Feedback and final approval on second draft | Leadership and RA | One week before planned submission |
| Finalize and submit proposal | PI | From mid-October |
Who is involved in your application?
PI: “Principal Investigator” / Project Leader = you
Head of RITMO: Alexander Refsum Jensenius
Research Advisor (RA): Marit Johanne Furunes
Project Controllers: Anders Bølstad (IMV), Thi My Ly Ho (IFI), Ole Magnus Anthun Ørsnes (PSI)
Budgeting
The research adviser and project controller will help you set up, revise and finalize your budget. The project must start 8-18 months after your submit your application.
You do not need prior knowledge of project finances.
The research adviser will contact you to set up a meeting.
Feedback from cluster leader
The leader of the cluster to which your proposal belongs thematically will review your proposal.
They will provide feedback on thematic relevance, feasibility and use of labs. You may be required to make changes to your proposal.
Changes required by the cluster leader must be made. Proposals with little thematic relevance and/or low feasibility will not receive final approval, and consequently will not be sent.
Tips and tricks
The Research Council’s tips for writing your application