The EU-LAC Foundation, Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) and the Government of Slovenia invite to present candidatures to participate in the Seminar-Workshop "Strengthening capacities in  institutions of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union for bi-regional scientific cooperation", to be held in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 20 to May 24, 2019. The EU-LAC Foundation is an intergovernmental organization created by the Heads of State and Government (EU-LAC) to foster relations between the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean. One of the topics prioritized in the EU-CELAC Action Plan approved in 2015 is the promotion of academic and scientific cooperation between both regions.

The Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) is a private not-for-profit company for the support of Bavaria as a center for science and innovation within the European research area. BayFOR is providing support in the acquisition of European research and innovation grants via information on specific calls, the consultation on thematic options and hands-on support during the proposal preparation.

Building on existing networks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, together with the EU-LAC Foundation and BayFOR are organizing their first event together. With our interactive programme, we aim to bring together Latin American, Caribbean and EU stakeholders from research, public organizations and the business sector, thereby facilitating their cooperation in international research and innovation projects in the context of the Europe 2020 strategy on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The objective of the workshop is to strengthen the capacities of institutions and countries with less presence in bi-regional scientific cooperation to increase their access to resources that allow them to expand their investments in research and innovation. Additionally, it should also help participating institutions to increase

their network and find potential partners for future European financed research projects. At the end of the Seminar-Workshop participants will be able to comply with all the necessary requirements to apply for EU funding programs on research and innovation. One day of the programme will be reserved for the host Government of Slovenia to share its own experiences in scientific cooperation, for networking with local institutions and to visit relevant facilities and research infrastructure.

Financing

Of the expenses for participation in this event, the organizers will cover the hotel with breakfast, local transport and lunches during the event. Participants must arrange financing in their institutions to cover the transport from their country of origin to the city of Ljubljana.

Methodological aspects:

A 4 day face to face training program is proposed, for a maximum of 20 participants from countries in the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean, prioritizing those that have been less represented in bi-regional research projects.

In principle only one delegate per country will be admitted, giving preference to those who can act as multipliers and trainers, such as the staff of promotion agencies for research and innovation. More than one participant from a country may be possible if they cover their accommodation costs and if there are still places until the expected number of participants is completed.

To favor the exchanges in the training the thematic focus of training will be on applications in the area of sustainable development (e.g. research on the environment, climate, energy, and bio-economy). The objective is that at the end of the program, the participants have learned to comply with all the necessary requirements to apply to the funds of the EU programs dedicated to cooperation in research and innovation.

The training would be in charge of BayFOR in cooperation with experts from Slovenian Research Institutes and other relevant entities.

Conditions for participation:

In order to participate in the seminar-workshop, candidates must meet the following conditions:

• Be a national of one of the countries of Latin America, the Caribbean or of the European Union named above.
• Work in a public or private institution that has the competency and/or capacity to submit proposals for tenders for scientific cooperation.
• Be proposed by authority of your institution to participate in the seminar-workshop.
• Personal experience in the preparation of proposals for tenders for scientific cooperation offered by the EU.
• Ability to reproduce the contents of the seminar-workshop in their own institution or in other institutions in their country.
• Have command of the English language at a professional level.

The documentation to present is:

• A motivation letter of the applicant. Please explain how you meet the conditions mentioned above.
• The CV of the applicant.
• Letter from the competent authority in your institution to present your proposal.
• Proof/certificate of his/her proficiency in the English Language.

If you want to see more information you can donwload the document: Call to submit candidatures to participate in the Seminar-Workshop.

Those interested should submit their candidacy no later than March 31, 2019 at 17:30 (Central European Time) to the following address: [email protected]