This new European programme for young researchers is managed and funded by the scientific and research funding organisations under the umbrella of the European Union Research Organisations Heads of Research Councils (EUROHORCs).
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is responsible for the administration of the programme in Germany. The aim of the EURYI Awards is to effectively enable and encourage outstanding young researchers to work in one of the participating European countries in the programme for a five-year period. This is intended to support the career development of the next generation of leading researchers and at the same time to increase the attractiveness of the European Research Area on an international level for the long term.
A EURYI Award will give young researchers the opportunity to establish and lead an independent junior research group at a recognised European research institution. This new programme of excellence, which is committed to the idea of early scientific independence, is based upon the "Memorandum of Understanding", signed by 18 scientific organisations from 14 European countries in May 2003. The programme is open to researchers from all scientific disciplines and is directed towards researchers from anywhere in the world. Each award will last for a five-year period and will include the salary of the award holder and funding for an independent junior research group (including two or three staff positions for doctoral students or postdoctoral students), as well as funding for consumables, travel expenses, etc.
Applicants for a EURYI Award should have an excellent scientific track record. They should have distinguished themselves through outstanding research achievements and demonstrate the potential to become world class leaders in the respective research area. Due to the differing ages when a doctorate may be awarded in the various European countries, there is no age limit.
Rather, applicants should have between two and up to ten years of postdoctoral research experience. Particular importance is placed upon a qualified invitation as well as written confirmation from the host institute that it will accommodate the independent junior research group.
The DFG is responsible for the funding proposals in the Federal Republic of Germany; for the other participating countries the organisations listed in the announcement (Annex I) are responsible respectively. The review process, which is based solely upon the criteria of scientific quality, will be undertaken in two stages: The first stage will be carried out at the national level where the DFG will review the proposal. Candidates whose proposals were successful in stage one will be invited to an interview in a joint selection process organised by the participating European organisations, for which the European Science Foundation (ESF) in Strasbourg is responsible.
The complete announcement for the EURYI Awards including details on the eligibility criteria and application procedures is available on the DFG's website at http://www.dfg.de/en/international/ where an application form can also be downloaded. Proposals, which should be completed in English, may be submitted until 15 December 2003.
Applications for Germany must be sent to the DFG, Keyword "EURYI Awards", Kennedyallee 40, D-53175 Bonn, Germany. Contacts at the DFG's Head Office are Dr. Beate Scholz, e-mail: beate.scholz@dfg.de and Christoph Mühlberg, e-mail: christoph.muehlberg@dfg.de.
Further information is also available at http://www.eurohorcs.org and http://www.esf.org.