Invitation to take part in the MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme 2017

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1 Directorate-General for European Parliamentary Research Services Directorate C - Impact Assessment and European Added Value Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA) Invitation to take part in the MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme GENERAL INFORMATION, AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1.1 Based on the significant number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and scientists participating in the previous editions of the MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme (see and the very positive feedback received therefrom, the European Parliament (EP) is issuing a targeted invitation for the expression of interest on the part of scientists to take part in the MEP-Pairing Scheme The STOA Panel, which has the political oversight of the scheme, decided, in its meeting of 18 May 2017, to launch this (6th) edition of the MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme by (a) extending the validity of the list of remaining 59 selected scientists from earlier rounds until 31 December 2019; and (b) broadening the existing pool by launching a targeted call for the expression of interest, with unchanged selection criteria, among the following circles: o JRC; o Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows; o EU - ANSA members; o ERC grant recipients. 1.3 Background of the project. Scientific expertise has an important role to play when informing policymakers dealing with global challenges, from climate change to feeding the world, from an ageing population to energy security. To ensure a qualified policy-making, scientific advice should be more effectively integrated into the decision-making process. It has been recognised that an MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme can be a valuable tool for enhancing knowledge-based decisions, facilitating a better public awareness of EU policies and fostering a greater mutual understanding. 1.4 Value added of the project. Apart from an improved mutual visibility, the advantages for participants in this project are: (1) For MEPs: By introducing them to a network of scientists / researchers, their awareness of scientific processes and discovery is enhanced, along with a better understanding of the scientists' point of view on policy issues. The pairing scheme facilitates the process of bringing scientific advice into EU policy discussions. (2) For scientists: They learn how to effectively interact with politicians and how to proactively inform them in fields of mutual interest. Additionally, they could contribute to the dissemination of information to universities and other scientific institutions on the structure and implementation of relevant European policies and programmes, e.g. Horizon Applicants are invited to apply to be paired with an MEP for the year 2017 some activities may extend into The list of selected scientists / researchers shall be valid until 31 December 2019 and may be used during this period whenever the European Parliament deems it appropriate This invitation is exclusively addressed to scientists / researchers with academic or scientific experience as specified in Section 5.1. Furthermore, it is exclusively addressed to natural persons (and not to legal persons, such as companies), being part at the time of application of one of the circles listed in point 1.2 (JRC; Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows; EU - ANSA members; ERC grant recipients). 2. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS 2.1. This invitation must be read in conjunction with the annexed Application Form. 1

2 2.2. If you are interested in responding to this invitation, please submit your application by (to be drafted in English) and send it to the responsible person(s) in your home institution until 31 August It is, however, recommended that applications be submitted as early as possible. Please indicate the following information in the subject of your STOA MEP-Pairing Scheme 2017 / (Family name) You are required to send a scanned pdf version of the original Application Form duly completed and signed, and the documents specified in Section Your home institution is required to pre-select a maximum of 15 applications, and send them, together with the documents listed in Section 5.2, to the STOA Secretariat by 8 September Applications must contain all relevant documents, and be signed by the applicant The European Parliament reserves the right to reject any candidate with incomplete or illegible documentation Expenses incurred in connection with preparing and submitting the application shall be borne by applicants and may not be reimbursed Applicants will be informed of the decision taken on their application. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS Submission of an application implies acceptance of the terms and conditions laid down in this invitation. 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES 4.1. A maximum of 60 scientists will be pre-selected by their home institutions for this call. They have to be active in specific fields of research (e.g. space technologies, nanotechnology, biotechnology, new forms of energy and energy storage, digital innovation, medicines, artificial intelligence and neuroscience non-exhaustive list). The selection of each of the following four groups of scientists will be carried out by and under the responsibility of their respective home institutions: o max. 15 scientists from the JRC; o max. 15 Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows; o max. 15 scientists from EU-ANSA members; o max. 15 ERC grant recipients The list of scientists pre-selected by STOA will be published on the EP (STOA) website. The STOA Secretariat will invite all MEPs to participate in the scheme by indicating their preferences among the pre-selected scientists. 4.3 Constitution of the MEP-Scientist pairs The STOA Secretariat will process MEP preferences and publish on the STOA website the final MEP- Scientist pairing arrangements. Once all pairing arrangements are successfully finalised, invitations will be sent to the selected scientists, who will have two weeks to formally respond. 4.4 The Brussels Week Selected scientists will be invited to Brussels, from 28 to 30 November 2017, where they will be given an opportunity to follow MEPs in their daily political activities and gain an understanding of the EU science, technology and research policy framework and, in particular, of EP work in this area. The visit will last two days, as follows: The programme will begin with the 3rd edition of the Science meets Parliaments event on 28 November 2017 in the EP, jointly organised with the JRC (see here about the previous editions: 2

3 Then the scientists will receive a short introduction to the work of the European Parliament, by the MEP and his/her office and EP officials (STOA, other DG EPRS, committee secretariats etc.). Further to these activities, they will be invited to attend, together with their MEPs, either a relevant committee meeting or any other meeting organised by STOA in cooperation with the MEP's office (for example, with scientific officers from permanent representation offices, European research associations or representatives of regions). When not attending meetings organised by STOA, the scientists will be invited to ʽshadowʼ their MEP, on the basis of the MEP's availability. The visit will be concluded with a last meeting attended by scientists, MEPs or their assistants, and STOA officials, to assess the event, and identify its positive aspects, as well as elements for improvement. All the scientist visits will take place during the same week for logistical reasons and optimal media coverage. The full programme, along with all relevant logistical details, will be sent to scientists in due course. 4.5 Follow-up event In close cooperation with their scientist counterpart, participating MEPs are encouraged to organise a follow-up event of European dimension. Possible events include a workshop, a visit to a local research & development facility, an exhibition, a press conference, etc. in the home country of the participating MEP and/or scientist, provided they can find appropriate funding. Additionally or alternatively, MEPs may organise a follow-up event at the European Parliament, in Brussels or Strasbourg, in cooperation with their scientist counterpart and the STOA Secretariat. If the event in this latter case is adopted by the STOA Panel as a STOA event, invited speakers may be reimbursed according to the standard rules for the reimbursement of experts (see Section 4.7). 4.6 Publications - media coverage Building on the outcomes of the pairing scheme and of the follow-up event experience, the publication of a press article signed by the MEP and his/her scientist counterpart is encouraged Travel reimbursement for journeys to Brussels - on presentation of travel documents Scientists/researchers participating in the scheme will be requested to come to Brussels to participate in the Brussels Week (see Section 4.4) and, possibly, in a follow-up event in Brussels or Strasbourg (see Section 4.5). In this case, they are entitled to the reimbursement of their travel and accommodation expenses. Reimbursement conditions are as follows: up to a maximum of economy class air fare, incl. all reservation costs; first class rail fare, incl. all reservation costs; first class ticket for journeys necessitating travel by sea or river, incl. all reservation costs; first class rail fare applies where the expert uses his or her car; a flat rate allowance of EUR 60 to cover travel costs between the usual residence/office address and the nearest airport/railway station. Travel expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of the shortest route between the usual residence/office address and the European Parliament (for both legs of the journey). Reimbursement will solely be made upon presentation of original air or train tickets, in paper or electronic format, including the boarding passes, if applicable. A declaration of honour must be submitted if travelling by private car. Daily allowance Each person requested to come to Brussels or Strasbourg shall be entitled to: EUR 125 for each day of active participation in a meeting to cover meals, local transport at the venue and other expenses. 3

4 If it is required to spend the night at the meeting venue, and on presentation of the original hotel bill, they shall be entitled to an overnight allowance of EUR 165. Electronic hotel bills are accepted No additional travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed. 5. SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE LIST OF SCIENTISTS / RESEARCHERS 5.1. Selection criteria Scientists/researchers shall be pre-selected by the home institutions for the list of the MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme on the basis of their professional ability to carry out the tasks described in this document. Therefore scientists will be pre-selected who best comply with the selection criteria, notably scientific prize/award winners having already demonstrated excellence in their field(s). Specific fields of research are to be linked to STOA priority areas, which are as follows: Eco-efficient transport and modern energy solutions, Sustainable management of natural resources, Potential and challenges of the Information Society, Health and life sciences, and Science policy, communication and global networking. These areas are to be understood in a broad sense and both natural scientists in state-of-the-art innovative areas (energy storage, renewable energy, photonics, innovative production etc.) and social scientists (jobs and growth, indicators, foresight etc.) are encouraged to apply. In order to be pre-selected, the applicant should: be part, at the time of application, of one or more of the circles listed in Section 1.2; have a sound scientific/academic background with proven experience in research; he/she must have at least ten years of professional experience in such research, including at least five years clearly related to the policy field in question; have a record in a relevant specialised field and conduct research in one of the STOA priority areas as described in Section 5.1; have achieved scientific/academic distinction clearly relating to research in the fields relevant to this call for expression of interest (internationally recognised prizes or awards, leading role in research projects etc.); have a good command of English (duly proven through publications in English, language certificates etc.) Documents required: Applicants must provide evidence of their ability, skills, experience and competence for performing the work by means of: A motivation letter of no more than 500 words, in which the applicant sets out his/her reasons for applying to be paired with an MEP, and the principal reasons why he/she should be admitted; A full curriculum vitae, specifying academic qualifications and background, relevant expertise and experience, and knowledge of languages. Following the basic structure of the Europass template, the curriculum vitae should be organised as follows: personal information, work experience, education and training, level(s) of (foreign) language competence, personal skills and competences (with scientific/academic relevance), additional information pertinent for this invitation (e.g. ongoing or planned research projects, awards received etc.); A full record of publications on subjects relevant to this invitation, in particular publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or monographs accepted for publication after a similar review process. 4

5 5.3 Applicants should note that providing all the required documents per se does not give them any legal entitlement to be placed on the list of scientists / researchers. The ultimate decision on their acceptance lies exclusively with the European Parliament. 6. DATA PROTECTION The follow-up to your response to this call for expression of interest, may, if you are selected by your home institution, entail the registration and processing of personal data (e.g. name, address, CV) by the European Parliament. Any such data shall be processed pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data. The applicant shall have the right of access to his personal data and the right to rectify any such data. Should the applicant have any queries concerning the processing of his personal data by the European Parliament, he/she should address them to: Mr Wolfgang HILLER, Director, Directorate General for Parliamentary Research Service, Directorate C, Impact Assessment and European Added Value (Office SQM 02 Y 066), Rue Wiertz 60, B-1047 Brussels. The applicant shall have right of recourse at any time to the European Data Protection Supervisor. For transparency purposes, the European Parliament will publish on its website the names of scientists / researchers selected for the pairing scheme, as well as the MEP-scientist pairs formed. Annex: Application Form (to be completed by the applicant) 5

6 Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services Directorate C - Impact Assessment and European Added Value Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA) ANNEX Invitation to take part in the MEP-Pairing Scheme 2017 Please tick the policy area(s) your application relates to: APPLICATION FORM Policy area 1: Eco-efficient transport and modern energy solutions Policy area 2: Sustainable management of natural resources Policy area 3: Potentials and challenges of the Information Society Policy area 4: Health and life sciences Policy area 5: Science policy, communication and global networking 1. INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICANT 1.1. Official FAMILY NAME: Official First Name(s): 1.2. Official Address: Tel.: Fax: Nationality: 1.4. Current Office Address: Tel.: Fax: Bank Account Number: IBAN: BIC/SWIFT: Name of the Bank: Address of the Bank: 6

7 2. STRUCTURE OF THE APPLICATION Layout of the application according to the following structure is mandatory: 1 Required Documents and Information A motivation letter of no more than 500 words, in which the applicant sets out on his/her reasons for applying and the principal reasons why he or she should be admitted; Checklist 2 A full curriculum vitae, specifying academic qualifications and background, relevant expertise and experience, and knowledge of languages. Following the basic structure of the Europass template, the curriculum vitae should be organized as follows: personal information, work experience, education and training, level(s) of (foreign) language competence, personal skills and competences (with scientific/academic relevance), additional information pertinent for this call for expression of interest (e.g. ongoing or planned research projects, awards received, etc.); 3 A full record of publications on subjects relevant to this invitation, in particular publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or monographs accepted for publication after a similar review process. Additional information (not mandatory): 6 Optional Documents and Information A description of the expert s academic and/or scientific network in connection with his/her research, indicating for example a list of conference presentations, consultancy projects, collaborations and membership in research networks, think tanks or advisory groups Checklist 3. DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE The undersigned declares that he/she accepts all terms and conditions in relation to this invitation. Signed in (Place) on (Date): Signature of the Applicant 7