SAS opens the last call of the SASPRO 2 programme
Slovak scientists working abroad who are considering returning to their homeland and researchers from abroad who want to do science in Slovakia have the last chance to apply to the SASPRO 2 grant programme. Today, November 1, 2021, the SAS announced the third - final call for project submission. Applicants may apply until February 28, 2022. 123 scientists from all over the world responded to the previous two calls.
SASPRO 2 is a joint project of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the Slovak University of Technology and Comenius University. Its aim is to strengthen the scientific organisations of these institutions with researchers from top foreign workplaces, to improve cooperation between scientific and application sectors and to support multidisciplinary approaches to project research.
Together, the three leading science and research institutions offer 40 vacancies covering various research areas at 70 potential host organisations. Each of the universities will accept 10 scientists for its workplaces, the remaining 20 will work at the SAS institutes. In the first call, the grant was offered to a total of 16 applicants. The selection process for the second call will be completed by the end of 2021.
"Due to the fact that the number of places and those who can obtain funds from SASPRO 2 is limited, in the first round, we offered a grant to eight applicants applying to the SAS. However, it is important to say that we selected them from 55 submitted applications. The competition is very high, and we could only choose the best ones. I believe that we will be just as successful in the last round, and the number of applications will be high again,” says Pavol Šajgalík, President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.
“The interest in the work of quality foreign scientists at STU is mutual, we occupied a third of the places in the first call. I believe that after assessing the other two challenges, we will state the success of the SASPRO 2 project,” adds Oliver Moravčík, Rector of the Slovak University of Technology.
“I believe that thanks to the SASPRO2 project, our excellent scientists from abroad will return home, will want to work in Slovakia again after years of experience gained in the world. And I also hope that the call will also appeal to foreign scientists who are interested in expanding their portfolio to include cooperation with our experts,” says Marek Števček, Rector of Comenius University.
Researchers of all nationalities who hold a PhD degree can apply for the SASPRO 2 programme. They can apply for a working stay in the duration of 12 to 36 months, while the field of science within which they can apply is not limited. Following the selection process of the third call, the first scientists should start working in the host institutions in the summer of 2022. All projects must be completed by 30. 9. 2025.
The SASPRO 2 programme is implemented within the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND Action. More information, including frequently asked questions, can be found on the SASPRO 2 website.