Before you start: Consider this list of European projects that offer funding. You may discover another project that suits your specific needs.
Timeframe:
Please allow up to three Months for the review process. The initial peer review process plus technical evaluation takes roughly 4-6 weeks. A review panel will then meet every second month to make a final decision on approval.
Instruct selection panel will meet every 2 months. Proposals submitted up until 30 days prior the panel review date will be considered for this round of review. Proposals submitted after that date might have to be considered for the next round of panel review if the scientific evaluation is still pending.
In 2024, the panel meetings are expected to take place in September and November.
When to apply: Applications for the ECR access scheme can be submitted at any time. Periodically, special calls for access might be published with a defined deadline.
Proposal application steps: There are six steps to the online application process, and you are guided through them step by step.
Integrative structural biology: Instruct advocates integrative structural biology, where multiple techniques give particular breadth to research, although we are happy to accept proposals for both single or multiple technologies.
Technology and Service support by the Instruct facilities: ECRs will have the opportunity to request up to 3 visits per proposal (to the same service or to different services). You can find Instruct maximum visit time/technology here (must be logged in to view).
Instruct funding for support costs to the user:
Funding for travel and accommodation: A travel and accommodation contribution of up to € 1000 is reserved for all Instruct-funded ECR proposals regardless of the location of the Centre and the home country of the user. The figure can be used towards shipping expenses for remote access.
Users should book and pay for their own travel and accommodation for access visits or shipping of samples for remote access. Costs will be reimbursed after the visit by providing Instruct-ERIC with the completed reimbursement Form and receipts up to the maximum value should be sent by email to finance@instruct-eric.org.
Claims should be no later than 2 months after completion of the access visit.
Funding for user consumables:
A budget for consumables of €5000 per proposal, will be available to the applicant. The full expense of the user consumables will be paid after visit completion once the applicant filled in the visit(s) feedback. Consumables shall be invoiced at the latest 2 months after completion of the last visit by the home institution to Instruct-ERIC at finance@instruct-eric.org
Who qualifies: Early Career researchers (ECR) from Academia or Industry from Instruct Member Countries and organisations can apply for funded access.
Scientists will be considered ECR if they fulfil these conditions: Researchers with 2-7 years of experience since completion of PhD, a scientific track record showing great promise towards independence. Eligibility can be extended for reasons such as parental leave.
We ask applicants to make sure that their scientific track record is up to date in their profile in ARIA as this information will be used by reviewers to assess the excellence of a researcher. Your home Institution might also be asked to confirm your eligibility to the ECR funding scheme.
To qualify for Instruct support funding, users will also have to agree to publish their results openly.
Your ARIA profile: Remember to update your profile, since this acts as your CV for all online applications. You can edit your profile at the end of your dashboard page.
Moderator and Reviewer Guidelines: Find out more about the evaluation criteria and process here.
