CALL FOR APPLICATION to CERIC multi-technique pipelines

Rationale

CERIC operates in the area of Materials and Biomaterials, developing research capabilities and offering open access to analytical techniques based on different and complementary probes and supporting their development. Its mission is to integrate its partner and associated facilities, as well as their in-house research and other activities, into a unique international research Institution.  These facilities are open to international users and enable groundbreaking, top-level science in Central and Eastern Europe. CERIC’s distinctive feature and one of its strengths is this integration, offering the possibility to perform multi-technique research projects when the complexity of science requires it.

The CERIC Board of Directors launched working groups in 2025 based on thematic affinity and techniques. The first outcomes of these working groups have evidenced the opportunity and the need to establish integrated pipelines of support for the development and execution of multi-technique research projects with the objective to exploit the full potential of CERIC’s multi-technique approach. A similar conclusion was reached at the Life Science workshop in Warsaw (reference) and during the PRP@CERIC final event in Trieste. However, multi-technique research requires specific protocols, that should still be developed and are usually outside the main scope of the staff supporting users in each facility, mostly focused on their own technique. This effort should be promoted with a proper framework to support the joint development of all necessary pipelines and support services.

With this in mind, CERIC has decided to launch a program of “CERIC multi-technique pipelines projects” to fund a limited number of initiatives to advance the multi-technique approach, with a focus on studies related to biological ageing but open to all scientific fields covered by the consortium.  The aim is to exploit this unique opportunity for CERIC and its facilities, reinforcing their integration and contributing to the fulfilment of a compelling need raised by the scientific community.

The projects may include any phase of the pipelines for multi-instrument measurements, such as protocols for sample preparation, standardisation of sample holders, and common protocols for multi-technique data formats and analysis codes, etc.

Proposals shall be submitted by researchers (e.g. users) and/or staff of CERIC facilities proposing projects with a multi-technique approach, involving at least two CERIC facilities, one of which should be a partner facility (see 5. Eligibility criteria). A specific requirement is the potential of the projects to build a foundation for successful proposals involving CERIC for the Horizon framework programme or others, as already identified by the proposer.

The present call for applications to CERIC multi-technique pipelines projects will award a maximum of 6 grants of up to 75,000 €/year each, for up to two years.

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation of the applications for CERIC Grants will be based on international peer review by renowned experts proposed by the International Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee of CERIC (ISTAC). The ISTAC will formulate the final ranking based on the peer reviewers’ evaluations.

The evaluation criteria will take into account:

– the scientific use case and deliverables;
– the expected impact of the proposed activity on the overall quality and capability of CERIC;
– the quality and clear structure of the proposed implementation;
– the number of CERIC facilities and of CERIC countries involved;
– co-funding made available by the facilities involved;
– the potential of the projects to build the base for attracting external funding.

See “Annex I – Evaluation Criteria” for further information.

Who should apply

The CERIC multi-technique pipeline projects will support initiatives carried out by teams led by one Principal Investigator (PI), who is the proposer. The Principal Investigator must have already demonstrated the potential for competitive research, professional independence, and maturity. She/he must be able to demonstrate a promising track record of previous achievements appropriate to her/his research field and career stage.

CERIC multi-technique pipeline projects are open to staff of CERIC facilities and PIs with an affiliation in an EU or Associated country, with the exception of those involved in the aggression against Ukraine. However, should the PI not be a staff member of a CERIC partner or associated facility, they shall be able to interact effectively with the involved facility/ies. The team may involve researchers from institutions outside CERIC.

Principal Investigators funded through the CERIC multi-technique pipeline projects shall commit to spending an appropriate time on the CERIC project, ensuring presence and leadership of the team throughout the course of the project to guarantee its proper execution.

The PI will:

– manage the research and the funding for the project and make appropriate resource allocation decisions;
– supervise the work of the team members;
– comply with all obligations as defined in the Statement of Acceptance of Conditions to Participate in a CERIC project, e.g. publishing and including as co-authors those who have contributed substantially to the reported work;
– have access to appropriate space and facilities for conducting the project.

Among projects standing on equal footing, priority will be given to those presented by staff of the CERIC Partner Facilities.

Ethical principles

The proposed research activities shall comply with the ethical principles and relevant national, EU and international legislation, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights and its Supplementary Protocols. The proposed research activities shall not have offensive applications.

Eligibility criteria

PIs

PIs can be staff of CERIC facilities and researchers (e.g. users) with an affiliation in an EU or Associated country, except for those involved in the aggression to Ukraine, If the PI is not employed by a CERIC Partner Facility, the proposal must be endorsed by one CERIC Partner Facility that will act as a lead liaison. This facility must represent the main beneficiary of the results, and as such, contribute to the implementation, e.g. hosting any human resources working on the project, when necessary[1].

They can nominate a deputy who meets the eligibility conditions of the country of affiliation to support them during implementation.

Proposal

The project activities should ideally last between 12 and 24 months.

The proposal must be endorsed by all the facilities involved, with a statement of acceptance to provide all the necessary resources for the proper implementation of the project as described in the application.

It should involve at least two CERIC facilities, one of which should be a partner facility (https://www.ceric-eric.eu/about-us/who-we-are/). All proposals must be complete, including annexes, and submitted before the call deadline. Incomplete proposals will be declared ineligible, and submissions out of term will not be considered.

The projects should start between January 2027 and May 2027.

Eligible costs

The project must provide a full account of the costs to be charged on the CERIC contribution and the costs of resources contributed in kind by the hosting and/or collaborating Institutions.

The following costs are eligible for the CERIC funding:

– salaries[2] of staff hired by CERIC for the performance of the project;
– travel and lodging relevant to the execution of the project[3];
– consumables;
– publication, dissemination and communication expenses.

Overheads are not eligible costs and are considered in-kind contributions by the hosting Institution/CERIC Facility.

In order to be eligible, actual costs must be:

– actually incurred by the beneficiary during the project duration and connected to the project as described in the proposal;
– identifiable and verifiable also in terms of correct costing and selection procedures;
– in compliance with applicable national laws on taxes.

Financing

The funds will be managed by CERIC-ERIC, allocated according to the project budget as defined in the proposal, subject to the positive outcome of the progress evaluation made by CERIC in consultation with ISTAC. In case of delay in the expenditure in the first year, up to 40% of the grant may be carried over to the following year. All funds not spent at the end of the project, will be reallocated to other CERIC activities.

Other conditions

CERIC will perform a progress evaluation before the completion of the first project year. The PI will be responsible for providing a mid-term progress report. The outcome of this evaluation will condition the allocation of resources for the following period.

Extensions to the project duration that do not impact the budget (no-cost extensions) may be considered, if duly justified, up toSeptember 2029. After that date, all projects will be considered concluded.

Staff who need to be specifically employed for the implementation of the project will be hired by CERIC for a period of up to one year, with renewal subject to the positive outcome of the progress evaluation. One CERIC partner facility will need to be chosen as a host. The spaces, facilities and support for the activities shall be made available by the Partner and associated Facilities and the external collaborating Institutions (if applicable) as in-kind contributions for the implementation of the projects.

Purchases for the projects will be performed by CERIC following CERIC procurement rules and procedures.

Intellectual property co-funded by the CERIC multi-technique pipeline projects and CERIC facilities and/or collaborating Institutions will be co-owned by the contributors, in proportion to their co-funding.

Any reference to the activities performed within the project scope, during and after the completion of the project, shall acknowledge CERIC’s contribution, according to the indications provided by CERIC.

The PI will be responsible for providing a final report within 60 days after the completion of the project for a final evaluation, and to report on the progress to CERIC bodies whenever requested, up to two times per year.

Proposal preparation and submission

CERIC multi-technique pipeline projects will be submitted by the Principal Investigator who has the responsibility to deliver the project as granted. The submission should be done through the following form: CERIC Multi-Technique Pipelines Projects – Fill out form.
After submitting the form, the project office will provide a link to upload the annexes.

 The full application should consist of the following elements:

– Proposal (form, max);
– PI Curriculum Vitae: max 2 pages;
– Track Record: max 2 pages;
– Resources;
– Statement of Acceptance of Conditions to Host/Participate in a Ceric Grant (to be submitted by the host and all participating institutions).

For further information or questions regarding the call, please contact projects@ceric-eric.eu. Replies will be published within 2 working days on the dedicated CERIC web page (https://www.ceric-eric.eu/opportunities/call-multitechnique-pipelines/).

The application should be submitted by November 16^h, 17h CET.

 

[1] The Partner Facility (PF) acting as lead liaison shall appoint a “PF Project Manager”, who will ensure the project implementation liaising with all the PF/AF involved. The lead liaison PF shall be the partner facility where any staff, either conferred in kind or hired for the project, should spend the majority of the time.

[2] Costs to be verified with CERIC HR

[3] Excludes the lodging and any other subsistence costs in the primary residence.