Traditionally, collaboration in research has an important dimension which results to joint research projects fostering the advancements of scientific and technological knowledge as well as innovation. The need has increased over recent years to promote the creation of such researcher networks and international collaborations.
The Embassy of France to the Philippines, through its Service of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, aims to stimulate bilateral scientific partnerships, especially on global issues in the context of the Millennium Development Goals.
In order to advance scientific exchanges between France and the Philippines, this embassy launches FY2012 call for applications to support scientific bilateral cooperative projects between Filipino and French universities and institutions, in accordance with the Agreement concluded in 1978 between the Filipino government and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Researchers from universities and research institutes who are either planning to establish or already with existing collaborations with French institutions are invited to submit proposals for funding consideration under the Filipino-French Scientific Cooperation Program (FFSC) for Fiscal Year 2012.
Project developers are invited to submit their applications at the Service of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs before November 15, 2011.
The program is open to Filipino and French researchers in universities or research institutions based on the principle of equal partnership and mutual benefit basis high-level collaboration.
Projects submitted for funding will take the form of joint research projects, joint seminars and researcher or scholar exchanges.
Proposals for starting new bilateral programs are particularly encouraged. The ability to raise additional financing as those provided by the Embassy of France is a decisive selection criterion.
I. Activities and expenses supported
The contribution requested from the embassy of France can only be used to partially cover the additional costs of the internalization of the project, i.e. researcher or student mobility or the organization of workshops and seminars. The estimated average cost of expenses must be indicated.
The following activities can be granted:
a) Joint Research Projects and Researcher Exchanges
The support provided by the French Embassy mainly takes the form of travel grants.
- Short-term mission of a French scholar or researcher, in the Philippines-- maximum of one week (air fare and/or maintenance allowance) (Exploratory visits are eligible if the project partner has been previously identified and contacted).
- Short-term invitation in France of a Filipino scholar or researcher, including young scientists (postdoctoral researcher, PhD or Master student)-- maximum of one week (air fare and/or maintenance allowance)
- Support for a stay in France from 1 to 4 months for a Filipino scholar or researcher (scholarships/ medical cover and insurance/ maintenance allowance/ airplane ticket)
- Airplane ticket
b) Joint Seminars (bilateral or regional)
- Small-scale scientific seminars or workshops organized by bilateral teams. The seminar has to be held either in the Philippines or in France.
The Embassy can cover the following expenses: international air fare, domestic travel expenses, maintenance allowance of some invited researchers.
Cost for meeting expenses (honoraria, communication, reception, excursion…) are to be covered by the organizing institution.
- The Embassy may also support the participation of Filipino researcher in regional conferences in which French research teams are also involved (air fare and/or maintenance allowance).
Researchers who are now or have been supported by the French Embassy in the past are required to describe the results of that research activity and, if any, its relevance to the project/ seminar being applied for.
II. Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, projects must be led jointly by a French partner and a Filipino partner. Public or private research laboratories and units attached to higher education institutions, research organizations and companies are eligible partners. The participation from the private sector is also encouraged.
The project should describe the objectives, methodology, implementation schedule and the human and financial resources required for its execution. It shall initiate actions on the medium to long term.
Eligible research projects across a wide spectrum of scientific fields, ranging from the social sciences to the natural science, basic and/or applied. Projects should address priority areas of S & T, which are mutually beneficial for both countries.
The priorities shall include, but not limited to, the following:
- Agriculture / aquaculture / food security
- Environment and natural resources
- Disaster risk management
- Energy
- Information Technologies (ICT for development – ICT applications for different sectors)
- Biotechnology / nanotechnology / electronics
- Meteorology / Geology
- Health and nutrition
- Archaeology
The exchange program, jointly conducted by Filipino and French researchers, must be in accordance with their mutual agreement on international scientific collaboration. Financial contributions from Filipino or French partners must be announced in the project drafting.
Scientific cooperation projects submitted with focus on exchange of students (duration of at least one semester) should result in the recognition of courses taken in the counterpart institution (credit transfer or join-degree programs). An agreement between the two institutions supervising the student is required.
In the case of a PhD program in France, the student has to previously identify a French advisor who is a full-time researcher engaged in teaching a doctoral course in a French university.
Internship, participation in training programs, organization of international scientific meetings and materials and research equipments are excluded from this call for applications.
III. Selection Procedure
After a verification of its compliance with the eligibility criteria, the submitted proposals of both the Filipino and French researchers will be evaluated by the Service of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs of the French Embassy.
Applications will be ranked according to their interest for the cooperation policy of France in the Philippines and their outputs.
The selection will consider:
- The scientific and technical quality and feasibility of the project/ seminar
- Innovative character of the project
- Aptitude of the teams to implement the project
- Interest of building the partnership for the implementation of the project
- Contribution to researcher interaction in advancing the research during the project
- Mutual research advancement through transfer of knowledge and expertise
- Cofinancing quality and effectiveness whether from France of the Philippines
- The long-term scientific and/or technical benefit
- Participation of young researchers in the mobility and contribution to fostering them.
The Embassy will notify to the applicants the list of selected projects in December 2011.
IV. Implementation of the Project
After implementation of the project according to the predetermined timeframe, the applicant institution will provide the embassy a detailed report of its execution including a financial statement.
V. Information / communication
The financial participation of the Embassy and the logo will appear on all communication materials related to the project supported by the present call for proposals.
VI. Application Procedure:
Requests for support for FY2012 should be addressed directly by e-mail to the Service of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs before November 15th, 2011 to the following address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The application form for funding will be preferably co-signed by the project leaders of both countries. The type of assistance requested and financial support should be clearly identified.
Only complete applications will be considered, composed of the attached simplified application form and the necessary elements to meet the eligibility criteria as well as possible supporting documents relevant to the presentation (lists of joint-publications, MoU, CVs).
The application form can be downloaded here.
VII. Contact details
Julie BLAZY
Scientific Attach©
French Embassy to the Philippines
16/F - Pacific Star Building
Makati Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue
1200 Makati City
Tel : (+63 2) 857 6936
Mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.