Instructions for applications

General Criteria - Specific Criteria - Evaluation - How to Submit

General Criteria

SNS supports research related to forestry, forests and other wooded areas (landscapes, parks, urban trees and marginal land), the utilisation of wood and other forest products, as well as the non-commercial values of the forests.

Support will be given to research collaboration involving at least three Nordic countries. Countries in the so-called Adjacent Areas (mainly Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and northwestern Russia) may also be included, as long as at least three Nordic countries participate.

Grants will be allocated in order to create "Nordic synergy". To gain support from SNS, the research collaboration should lead to an added value, compared to unilateral research. (For example: comparative studies under differing growth conditions, shared use of field experiments, field stations or specially equipped laboratories.)

SNS has identified 5 targeted areas in its strategy plan for 2007-2009. 

You will find a list of ongoing projects here.

SNS will give financial support to the following types of research collaboration:

The Nordic Council of Ministers and SNS aim to promote equality between men and women in the field of forestry and agriculture, including representation, grants etc.

Specific Criteria

I RESEARCH PROJECTS

Support may be granted to research collaboration with a duration of no more than three years. Support from SNS are normally contingent upon an co-ordination of ongoing national research. According to SNS' main principles, all SNS projects should include a national co-financing of at least 67 %. Projects receiving support are obliged to furnish SNS with a report each year. Participants from the Adjacent Areas will 10 000 to 15 000 euros a year for each participating country.

Applications should include:
i) Application form "Project2008"
ii) A description of the research project (about 5 pages) including:

- a clearly expressed goal
- a description of background with references to relevant literature
- a clear description of methodology and working methods
- a definite and realistic work and time schedule
- a description of how the different sections of the project will be co-ordinated
- a plan for communicating and publishing results for the benefit of the scientific community, forestry and other parties

iii) a curriculum vitae for the main responsible scientist in each country (a short description of research experience and a summary of major publications the last 5 years - totalling no more than 2 pages for each person)

• Closing date for applications: 1 September

II PREPARATORY STUDIES FOR LARGER PROJECTS (PILOT PROJECTS)

Support may be granted to one-year preparatory studies aiming to try out a new methodology or to carry out a pilot study for a larger research collaboration. The amount of support from SNS will depend on the characteristics and extent of the preparatory studies.

Applications should include:
i) Application form "Project2008"
ii) A brief description of the research project (2-3 pages) including:

- objective
- a short description of background with references to relevant literature
- a plain description of methodology and working methods

iii) a curriculum vitae for the main responsible scientist in each country (a short description of research experience and a summary of major publications the last 5 years - totalling no more than 2 pages for each person)

• Closing date for applications: 1 September

III NETWORKING ACTIVITIES
Support may be granted to Nordic conferences, workshops and other kinds of research meetings, which are held in order to stimulate further collaboration and exchange of knowledge. All activities should have a clearly expressed goal, e. g. drafting of project proposals, preparation for joint research training courses or communication of research results, etc. (Please note that this criterion applies also to the permanent networking groups affiliated to the SNS.)

Support is given primarily to pay for:
- travel expenses for Ph D students
- travel expenses for invited speakers
- transportation costs for excursions, etc.

Please note that salaries and costs for the preparation of meetings will not be covered by SNS grants.The size of the grants will vary depending on the type of activity, number of participants etc, but normally the SNS grant may cover up to 50 % at the total cost.

Applications should include:
i) Application form "Network2008"  A longer description and other relevant information may be enclosed, if necessary.

• Closing date for applications: 1 September

IV PREPARATION OF APPLICATIONS TO THE EU
In order to stimulate Nordic participation in EU-supported research projects, the SNS may grant support for the preparation of an application to the EU 6th Framework programme. The level of such grants is normally up to 6 000 euros.

Applications should include:
- relevant information about the applicant(s)
- a short description of the aims of the intended project
- details about which countries will participate
- information on which specific programme/Key action is targeted, as well as the date of call (please see: www.cordis.lu).

• Closing date for applications: 1 September

Evaluation

PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS
With the assistance of experts in the fields concerned, the scientific quality of the applications will be evaluated, as well as the applicants' ability to carry out the proposed activities.

The Nordic benefits (synergy value) will be assessed, as well as the subject's relevance and interest to forestry and society in general.

Decisions on financing will be taken at the meeting of the SNS Executive Committee in November 2007.