SFI E.T.S Walton Visitor Awards FAQs
When is the next closing date?
The closing date for the current call is Friday, 12th August, 2011 at 13.00. Any visits to take place within the next 18 months may apply under this deadline. Please check the website regularly for updates, and register at the Subscribe SFI eAlerts link for details of future closing dates.
Can laboratory equipment specific to the project be purchased using an E.T.S. Walton visitor award?
Currently the award is limited to materials & supplies required for the project that are not provided by the host institution. Any items purchased must remain at the host institution after completion of the research visit.
Can an E.T.S. Walton Visitor divide their time over a number of months?
Visitors are generally expected to come to Ireland for the duration of the award uninterrupted. Applicants may however make a case for dividing their visit over a number of months if this is more appropriate. (Each visit should be a minimum of 3 months in duration). Relocation will only apply for one return trip to Ireland.
For visits outside the normal 3 to 12 continuous months, justification should be given.
Can an applicant come from industry to a research body?
Yes. Please note the total budget for E.T.S. Walton cannot exceed the programme budget limit as set out in the call for proposals.
Can industry host an E.T.S. Walton visitor?
Only eligible institutions in Ireland as on the SFI website may nominate E.T.S. Walton visitors. However it is possible for visitors to spend time in an industry laboratory during their visit. Details of this activity must be included in the proposal.
Please check Science Foundation Ireland: Grants and Awards: Eligible Research Bodies
Does the applicant need to work with an SFI sponsored research project in Ireland?
No.
When are results likely to be available?
Results will be announced upon completion of the review process, which SFI expects to be late 2011.
Are proposals with collaborators viewed more favourably and if so, are Irish collaborators viewed more favourably than ones from other countries?
Every proposal requires an Irish host collaborator and institution, additional collaborators can be included if this is likely to add benefit to the proposal, whether from Ireland or abroad.
What is the metric of success of this programme and is there a formal deliverable?
We would see a lasting collaboration between the applicant and host group as a successful output, joint publications in the future and visits of students and researchers between the groups into the future. The formal deliverable is a report to SFI after the visit is completed.
Does SFI arrange a host institution (most likely a university) or does the awardee make those arrangements? Would they have to be documented in the proposal and confirmed at that time or could be arranged after an award is made?
No SFI does not arrange host institutions; the awardee and host collaborator will make those arrangements and must be documented at the time of the proposal.
Can any candidate with appropriate Research background (i.e from National Health System) submit a proposal?
Yes, provided they meet the eligibility requirements as per the call document.
As regards graduate education issues, for example, exchange of graduate students or organising a meeting in Ireland and inviting international graduate students to Ireland, is there any additional funding available via Walton?
No additional funding is available for this purpose, Short Term Travel Fellowships allow an SFI funded group member to travel to another research group and our Conferences and Workshop programme funds conferences/workshops/meetings in Ireland.
Is it possible to collaborate with more than one Irish institution?
Yes, however one host institution must be nominated per visitor.
How are reviewers chosen? Do applicants have to nominate potential reviewers?
International peer reviewers are chosen by SFI and chosen as experts in the remit areas of SFI.
Do intellectual property issues get taken care of before starting or are they after discoveries or progress are attained?
IP issues where applicable should be dealt with before any collaboration, and with the approval of the host institution.
My proposal involves multidisciplinary research across several technologies. Does SFI encourage multidisciplinary proposals?
Yes.
Are emeritus applicants eligible to apply?
Yes.
If yes, can successful emeritus applicants claim a salary?
Yes, but the salary level at the time of retirement must be provided.
Regarding submission of applications, who should email the submission – applicant or host Research Office?
Submissions must come through the host Research Office.
