Definition
The Flexpool of iDiv is an internal funding mechanism open to all full iDiv members (regular Flexpool) or all iDiv researchers (Flexpool Support Fund). Its main purpose is to instigate integrative and innovative research, support the development of novel experimental platforms and link iDiv to global networks and initiatives. The FlexPool mechanism is thus of vital importance for iDiv’s integrative tasks and conducting research underlying our scientific activities.
Types of funding
Regular Flexpool calls
- The main purpose of regular Flexpool calls is to instigate innovative research projects that integrate across the wide expertise of the iDiv community and increase the visibility of iDiv’s “integrative” character across all member institutions. Successful projects should specifically focus on topics integrating within and across the five research areas (RAs): Biodiversity Change, Biodiversity and Complexity, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning, Molecular Biodiversity and Adaptation and Biodiversity and Society.
- Eligibility: all full iDiv members
- Grant salary and consumable funds
- Require 7 pages proposals that undergo evaluation process
Flexpool Support Fund
- The Flexpool mechanism of iDiv is explicitly designed to promote integrative activities among scientists within the iDiv consortium. The Flexpool Support Fund pursues the same aims as the Flexpool mechanism and extends them to the wider iDiv community.
- Eligibility: all iDiv researchers being members of one of the 11 iDiv institutions, irrespective of the membership status
- Funding is limited to 10 kEUR per project
- Grant cost for small projects, e.g., student or research assistants, workshops, travel costs, consumables, scientific instruments, etc.
- Require 2 pages proposals that undergo evaluation process
Selection criteria
Regular Flexpool projects
- Scientific excellence: Research quality and potential of research team and support of iDiv’s strategic missions
- Integration: Strengthen integration among iDiv members and within and/or among the iDiv research areas
- Activity: Strengthen and support member participation within iDiv
Flexpool Support Fund projects
- Scientific excellence in the contribution to iDiv research
- Scientifically excellentapproach to integration within iDiv
- Feasibility
- Activity of the main PI or the group of Co-PIs at/for iDiv