Research Frontiers Programme (RFP) FAQs
Submission
1a: Should applications to the Research Frontiers Programme be submitted through the SFI Award Management System (AMS)?
Yes. Applications will only be accepted through the Award Management System (AMS).
1b: Is the Research Frontiers Programme remaining as a one-stage process?
Yes. The Research Frontiers Programme 2011 Call is once again a one-stage process.
1c: How many RFP applications can an individual submit?
An individual can submit one application as applicant. However, there is no restriction on the number of proposals for which an individual can act as a collaborator.
1d: What action will be taken by SFI if a proposal is received after the submission deadline specified?
Proposals received by SFI after the deadline specified in the Call document will not be accepted for review.
1e: If, after submitting my application I realise that it is incomplete, can I withdraw the application and submit a revised version?
No. Following submission, an application cannot be withdrawn and modified for resubmission in the same Call.
1f: What will happen if more than one application is submitted by an investigator?
If an applicant submits more than one proposal to RFP, both applications will be returned without review.
1g: Can you clarify that the submission deadline is the deadline for institutional endorsement through the AMS - not the deadline for submission of application to AMS by applicant?
The deadline of 13:00 hours on 21st September is the deadline for institutional endorsement of applications in AMS. Applications will not be accepted for review after this deadline.
Applicant and Collaborators
2a: I would like to submit an RFP application jointly with another applicant. Is it possible to have two co-investigators (co-applicants) with shared responsibility for the project?
Within the Research Frontiers Programme the designation of co-applicant does not exist. The researcher who submits the application, and to whom the award is made, is classified as the applicant; he/she is the contact person for SFI and is responsible for overall project management, budget, annual reports, etc. All other researchers associated with the award are designated as collaborators.
2b: Under the SFI RFP Programme what is the definition of a collaborator?
An Official Collaborator is an individual who is committed to providing a focused contribution for a specific task. The collaborator will serve under the direction of the lead applicant, and may or may not, receive funding through the award. An official collaborator must provide a Letter of Support with the grant application and this must clearly outline the role of that collaborator in the programme of research proposed. CVs must also be provided for all collaborators. The role of the collaborator must also be referenced in the main body of the research proposal.
An individual contributing to the research proposal, but not sufficiently involved to warrant listing as an official collaborator, may be referred to within the text of the research programme. The CV and Letter of Support from such an individual should not be included as part of the application.
2c: What is the definition of a collaborator? Can a nominated collaborator be hired as a postdoc on the RFP grant? Can a nominated collaborator who has a permanent position abroad be invited to Ireland to work on a collaborative project in the framework of the RFP project? (I have in mind visits ranging from a minimum of one week to a maximum of two months, each time, at an agreed per diem allowance.)
An official collaborator is a person who will provide a focused technical contribution to the project but who is not drawing salary from the proposal. So a post-doc would not be an appropriate collaborator. Collaborators outside the Republic of Ireland are not eligible to receive funding. However, an RFP award could pay expenses for a collaborator to visit, e.g. travel and per diem could be paid for as a direct cost from the grant. The cost of such an expense would be evaluated by the reviewers along with other budget items. The salary for a collaborator is not an eligible cost.
2d: Can an applicant to RFP 2011 be a collaborator on another application?
An individual can only submit a single application to RFP as an applicant but can also be a collaborator on another application. There is no limit to the number of applications on which an individual is listed as a collaborator.
Proposal
3a: Can you please confirm that the page limit specified (8 page max.) relates to the scientific content only and not to the entire document (reference list, budget justification, applicant CV, letter(s) of commitment, collaborator CV, etc.)?
Yes, the 8 pages relates to the scientific content only. The reference list, budget justification, applicant CV, letter(s) of support, collaborator(s) CV, etc, are additional pages.
3b: Is section 5 on strategic importance to Ireland included with the scientific content?
Yes. This should be included within the 8-page scientific content section but there is no limit on the length of this individual section.
3c: Is there any limit to the number of figures that may be included in the proposal?
No, provided they are contained in the specified scientific content page limit and that the total file size of the PDF submitted does not exceed two (2) Megabytes.
3d: Is there a page limit on the reference section of the application?
No.
3e: Should the CV of a postdoctoral researcher to be recruited through the Award be included as part of the application?
No. Do not submit the CV of team members as part of the application. This will be considered as unsolicited material and will deem the proposal ineligible.
3f: Should collaborator CV’s be included in the application?
Yes. CV’s of all official collaborators must be included in the application. If the CV of a named official collaborator is not included, the application will be deemed ineligible and will be administratively withdrawn.
3g: Should Letters of Support from collaborators be included in the application?
Yes. Letters of Support from all official collaborators must be included in the proposal. The formal letter (1 page max.) on headed notepaper must be signed. If the Letter of Support from a named collaborator is not included, or the letter is unsigned, the application will be deemed ineligible and will be administratively withdrawn. An email indicating the support of a collaborator is not acceptable.
3h: Can I include a Letter of Support from a stakeholder in the application?
No. Letters of Support should only be included for official collaborators and Head of School/Research Centre (if appropriate). Additional Letters of Support from individuals making a small contribution to the project (but not sufficient to warrant listing as an official collaborator) will be considered as ‘unsolicited documentation’ and will deem the proposal ineligible.
3i: How should the letters of support from the collaborating partner(s) be included? Would an electronic version with a scanned signature be OK?
A letter indicating commitment must be included for all official collaborating partners. Letters of support should be uploaded as an attachment in PDF format in AMS. An electronic signature is acceptable.
3j: What action will be taken by SFI if a section of the application exceeds the page limit specifications?
If any section (scientific content, CV, budget justification, etc.) exceeds the page limit specified in the Call document the proposal will be deemed ineligible and will be administratively withdrawn without review. The applicant will not be given an opportunity to resubmit a shortened/modified version.
3k: What action will be taken by SFI if the application is incomplete?
If any required section of the application (scientific content, CV, budget justification, Letter of Support etc.) has not been included, the proposal will be deemed ineligible and will be administratively withdrawn without review. The applicant will not be given the opportunity to resubmit a modified version.
3l. I understand that for RFP 2011, there is a five-page CV template for the principal investigator only. However when you use the current off-line assistant, the information on this CV section states that the CV of the applicant and collaborators must be included and that each CV must not exceed two pages. I suspect that the off-line assistant available for download right now may not be a usable final version. Is this correct?
Please be advised that the information on the RFP2011 call documentation regarding the CV of the applicant overrides the information on the Offline Assistant (version 2.9.9). The text on the Offline Assistant states that the "CV of applicant and all collaborators must be included. Each CV must not exceed two pages". The Offline assistant cannot be changed as this would mean new offline assistant.
3m: Can you confirm that permanent academics do not need a letter of support from the head of school?
A letter of support from the head of school is only required for applicants with a contract position. Permanent academics do not need to provide such a letter of support.
3n: Can the collaborator(s) be in any academic institution worldwide?
Both national and international collaborators can be included in an RFP application. Collaborators outside the Republic of Ireland are not eligible to receive funding through the SFI Research Frontiers Programme.
Budget
4a: How many proposals are likely to be funded in RFP2011?
SFI’s budget allocation for 2011 is not yet known. Therefore we are not in a position to accurately forecast the number of awards that will be made. We are hopeful to make in the region of 40-50 awards, similar to the 2010 Call.
4b: I would just like to clarify the budget size for the Research Frontiers Programme?
RFP awards can be up to €200,000 (total direct costs). Budgets in excess of this should not be requested. In RFP2010, the average award size was €141,000 (total direct costs).
4c: Is it possible to apply for an RFP award that runs for less than four years?
RFP2011 awards will fund a minimum of two and maximum of four postgraduate training years. Submissions to the RFP2011 Call must be made for two, three, or four years only. It is not permissible to apply for half-year funding or any other fraction of a year. The maximum average budget allowed for all award durations is €50,000 per year. Thus, a two-year award may have a maximum budget request of €100,000 and proposals for three-year awards may request up to €150,000. Note that the average maximum spend per year is €50,000; it is permissible for budgets in any given year to be greater than this amount.
4d: I would be grateful if you could tell me the rules for applying for equipment needed for an RFP Award, e.g., is there a limit on the amount that can be applied for? Do quotes have to be provided within the application?
An RFP Award is not intended as a primary mechanism through which to fund the purchase of large equipment items. However, funding for smaller items of equipment, and/or part funding for larger items, which are critical for the success of the project can be requested. The budget allocation for equipment is normally up to €20,000. If funding for a larger equipment item is requested, this must be fully justified. Equipment quotations should not be submitted.
4e: Within my budget can I request funding for teaching buyout?
No. Teaching and clinical time buyouts are ineligible costs.
4f: Is it possible for a collaborator on an SFI RFP Award to receive funding from the Award?
A collaborator working within an eligible Research Body within the Republic of Ireland may receive funding from the Award. This should be clearly stated in the budget justification section. Salaries for collaborators are not permitted. Financial responsibility for the grant (including any audit) remains the responsibility of the PI.
4g: In an RFP application, is it ok to request funds to support a PhD student who will be based in the lab of a named collaborator on the proposal?
Yes, as long as the collaborator is based in an eligible Research Body within the Republic of Ireland. The Letter of Support from the collaborator should include an outline of the agreement between the PI and collaborator. Financial responsibility for the grant (including any audit) remains the responsibility of the applicant.
4h: Should a budget summary table be included within the ONE page budget justification?
No. Budget figures should be entered directly into the budget tables in AMS.
4i: Can an MSc by research student fulfil the requirement for enrolment of a post-graduate student on an RFP award?
Yes, applicants can recruit a single MSc by research student on an RFP award at any one time. However, requests for an MSc by research student should be for projects of 2 (single MSc) or 4 years (2 consecutive MSc by research students) duration. Students undertaking a taught masters degree cannot be enrolled on a RFP award.
4j: Can I apply for an MSc by research student for years 1-2 of the project followed by a post-doc student for years 3-4?
A post-graduate student must be enrolled on the award at all stages and requests for an MSc by research student followed by a post-doctoral fellow will not be considered. It is expected that applicants applying for a four year award will recruit a PhD student or 2 consecutive MSc by research students.
4k: As an applicant, can I draw my salary from this grant? Is that included in the annual cap of EUR 50,000?
The salary of an applicant is not an eligible cost on an RFP grant.
4l: Can a postdoctoral researcher be employed on an RFP award for 1 year to teach a PhD student?
RFP is primarily a programme for post-graduate student training and a post-graduate student must be employed on the grant at all stages of the award. Requests for post-doctoral fellows will only be considered where strongly justified. Furthermore, clear and explicit justification is required for any request for an experienced post-doctoral researcher, i.e., one who will be appointed higher than Level 2, Point 1 of the SFI Team Member Budget Scale. For most disciplines, the budget constraints will preclude the hiring of a post-doctoral fellow in addition to a post-graduate student.
4m: Are there guidelines for the appropriate level of funding for a graduate student?
Postgraduate stipend and fee levels are provided in the SFI General Application Budget Policy document. Postgraduate student stipends are funded at a flat rate of €18,000 per year for up to four years. SFI makes a standard contribution of €5,500 towards the annual cost of post-graduate student fees.
4n: Can non-EU PhD students be recruited on an RFP grant?
A4n: In cases where, prior to application, the grant applicant has identified a highly competitive, named non-EU candidate for a MSc/PhD position they may request up to an additional €8,000 over-and-above the standard (EU) MSc fee contribution/€16,000 over-and-above the standard (EU) PhD fee contribution. Details of the recruitment process and the student’s credentials must be included in the application (budget justification) and the additional funding for non-EU fees will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility
5a: I am a co-applicant on an SFI PI proposal which was submitted to the PI 2010 Call, am I eligible to apply for funding under the Research Frontiers Programme?
No. Applicants, or co-applicants, who have submitted an application to the SFI PI or PICA 2010 Calls are not entitled to submit a concurrent application to the Research Frontiers Programme. Individuals may only be under active review for one of the following programmes at any one time: CSET, SRC, Mathematics Initiative, Charles Parsons, Research Professorship, PI, PICA, PIYRA, RFP2010 and SIRG.
5b: I hold an RFP10 award. Am I eligible to apply to this RFP Call?
No. RFP2010 Award holders are not entitled to apply to the RFP2011 Competition.
5c: If I submit an application to RFP in September 2010 when can I expect to be informed of the outcome?
It is anticipated that the review process will take at least 6 months.
5d: If I submit an application to the RFP2011 Call can I also submit an application to the PI 2011 Call?
No. Individuals who submit an application to RFP2011 will not be entitled to submit an application to PI 2011 Call, as the RFP application will still be under review at the closing date of the next PI Call. Individuals may only be under active review for one of the following programmes at any one time: SFI PI, SFI PICA, SFI PIYRA, SFI Research Professor, SFI SIRG, SFI Stokes (named candidate) or SFI RFP.
5e: What does SFI consider as the official date of a PhD/MD award?
The official date is defined as the year that the degree was conferred, i.e. the year printed on the official PhD/MD certificate. Verification of this official date by the awarding research body must be available upon request. The number of years is determined per calendar year. Therefore, only individuals with an official date of 2007 or prior are eligible to apply to RFP2011.
5f: Do you have to have 3 years postdoctoral experience at the time of application or the time the research would start?
An applicant to RFP must have three years of relevant experience (academic, industrial, a combination of both, or any other relevant experience) on the date of the Call deadline.
5g: I submitted an application to the PI2010 Call but was unsuccessful at Stage 1. Am I eligible to apply for RFP2011?
Yes (subject to other eligibility criteria). Individuals who have an application under active review in the PI Programme are ineligible to apply to RFP2011.
5h: If I submit an application to the TIDA or HIPA programmes, am I eligible to apply for RFP2011?
Submission of an application to the TIDA or HIPA Calls will not deem you ineligible to apply for RFP2011. However, please consult the Call document to determine if the underlying SFI award you hold deems you ineligible. For example, if you hold a PI Award (unless in last 18 months of Award) you are not entitled to apply to RFP2011.
5i: If I submit an application to the STTF programme, am I eligible to apply for RFP2011?
Submission of an STTF application will not deem you ineligible to apply for RFP2011. However, please consult the Call document to determine if the underlying SFI award you hold deems you ineligible. For example, if you hold an RFP2010 award you are ineligible to apply for RFP2011.
5j: If I have a contract that expires in October 2013 can I apply to the RFP2011 Call?
Applicants must have a contract that spans the proposed duration of the award. Therefore, in the above case, you could apply for a two-year award, subject to fulfilling the additional eligibility criteria.
5k: Regarding existing SFI award holders being able to apply for RFP 2011 during the last 18 months of their SFI PI award, is it 18 months left at the date of submission of the application to RFP 2011 i.e. 21st Sept 2010?
If on the RFP2011 submission deadline (21 Sept 2010) there are less than 18 months remaining on your existing SFI PI Award (as per date of LoO) you are eligible to apply for RFP2011 (subject to all other eligibility criteria being satisfied). Therefore, award holders with grants ending later than March 2012 are not eligible to apply. The 18 month rule applies to all PI-like awards, excluding SIRG, but not to RFP awards. Only RFP10 award holders are excluded from RFP2011.
5l: Can you explain what being senior author on 3 publications means?
A senior author is one who is listed as first or joint first author, reflecting the fact that he/she has provided the greatest intellectual contribution, has held the primary responsibility for collecting and analysing data, and/or for the writing of the manuscript and associated drafts. The last author may also be considered as a senior author, since this position generally reflects his/her overall responsibility for the study and suggests that a level of mentorship has been provided.
It is recognised that different publishers have differing rules on how the senior authorship is indicated (e.g., by using asterisks, underlining, placing the name first or last in the list of authors, etc.); of overriding importance however is that the applicant should be able to convince and reassure reviewers that they are the key author on these publications.
Please note that senior authorship does NOT necessarily mean that they were responsible financially for the research that was reported.
Joint first authors and joint last authors also count as senior authors.
5m: How does SFI define a 'young' or 'early career' researcher?
In line with other SFI and European funding programmes, an early career investigator is defined as a researcher that is up to 12 years post-PhD.
5n: Does the host institution have to be academic, for example can it be hospital?
The host institution must be an institution approved by SFI which can include a clinical institution. Institutions not currently approved by SFI can apply for eligible institution status by contacting SFI.
5o: Are established researchers effectively ineligible given the focus on encouraging applications from early-career researchers?
Established investigators are eligible to apply to RFP2011 provided that they meet all other eligibility criteria. Preference for early-stage investigators (<12 yrs post-PhD) may be given in situations where two proposals are similarly ranked. The applicant’s record in securing non-exchequer funding (commensurate with career stage) may also be considered.
5p: When would the RFP2011 awards start as this will determine whether my contract covers the length of the award?
The earliest allowable start date for an RFP2011 award will be June 2011.
5q: Can you please clarify what is an “independent researcher”?
It is expected that an “independent researcher” is an individual who has an independent office and research space at the host research body, for which they will be fully responsible for at least the duration of the grant, and the capability and authority to mentor and supervise post-graduate students.
Review Process
6a: Within the Call document there is no mention of the reviewers convening as a panel to discuss the proposals. Is this still a component of the review process for RFP2011?
As for the RFP2010 Call, the RFP2011 review process will consist of a panel-based postal review stage. Each proposal will be reviewed by at least 3 peers with broad expertise in the research area, with each reviewer providing an evaluation of a number of proposals within a particular panel. On the basis of the postal peer reviews, the proposals submitted to each panel will be ranked. The reviewers will not convene for a follow-up panel meeting, but all of the reviews for any given proposal will be sent back to the three reviewers to allow them to consider their review in light of the other reviewers’ comments and revise their appraisal if deemed appropriate.
6b: Will an applicant’s record in securing non-exchequer funding be used as an evaluation criterion?
Yes. On the basis of the postal peer reviews, the proposals submitted to each panel will be ranked based on scientific merit. Following this, SFI will further evaluate proposals based on: applicant’s record in securing non-exchequer funding (commensurate with career stage); scientific and strategic merits of other proposals within the overall context of the SFI mission, and availability of current and future funds, and value for money.
6c: Given that researchers who hold SFI PI Awards, etc. are not eligible to apply for RFP2011, it would appear that the Programme is now more directed at early-career researchers. Is this the case?
The primary focus of the Research Frontiers Programme remains the same: “To support innovative, cutting-edge and internationally competitive research in a broad range of disciplines in Science, Mathematics and Engineering.” Within the portfolio of SFI Programmes, RFP now has an additional objective “To provide support to early-career investigators,” while the PI Programme is more directed towards experienced researchers (see new programme eligibility criteria).
10d: In 2010 only 4 RFPs were awarded under the Mathematics Panel, but it seems just one was a proper Mathematics project, whereas the others could have been covered by other panels. Will SFI continue to accept and/or fund RFP proposals under the Mathematics Panel that are covered by other panels?
Applicants to RFP must choose which panel to apply to after considering the definitions provided in the call document. There is inevitably some degree of overlap between panels. SFI does everything possible to ensure that all applications are reviewed as fairly and consistently as possible.
10e: It looks like RFP is being pushed to support more applied science. Is fundamental, pure research guaranteed fairly?
RFP remains a programme that funds basic, fundamental research. However, we hope and expect that RFP award holders will make the most of any opportunities that exist or arise from their research.
10f: Is "strategic importance" largely meaning direct applications/commercialisation? Are non-applied proposals going to be penalised?
Strategic importance does not only mean economic/commercial potential but also refers to value of the research to Ireland in terms of research capacity building, education, training and career development of researchers, the potential impact on Irish society and the quality of life of Ireland’s citizens.
