- To what extent does the proposed network aim at involving early-stage researchers?
The research carried out within the WGs will provide eminently suitable PhD training. Several different groups will be involved in each case, providing significant scope for Short Term Scientific Missions, with priority given to PhD students and young postdoctoral scientists.
Another positive approach to involving young researchers will be the offer of an annual thesis prize; PhD supervisors will be asked to nominate candidates, with the winner decided by the MC, giving a presentation of her/his work at the next MC meeting.
A sub-set of the MC will be responsible for organizing educational courses dedicated to younger scientists. These will take different forms: half-day training sessions which can follow the MC meetings or longer workshops. A joint graduate course will be organized every two years.
- To what extent does the proposed network aim at being gender balanced?
The COST Action is committed to the goals of the Helsinki Group on Women and Science and will encourage a strong participation of women researchers, by promotion and publicity of the Action's aims among young researchers during their early training, when a higher percentage of women is active in the field. The participation of women early in their careers is seen as a way to fortify their involvement in the field, increasing the possibility of achieving a better gender balance in the future.
In order to provide equal opportunities for all eligible participants in the Action to attend the MC and WG meetings, and to assist in the delivery of tutorials, provision will be made for any child minding beyond that needed to carry out everyday duties.
- Does the number of countries the Applicants come from reflect a wide European dimension?
- To what extent have provisions been made for monitoring and evaluating the achievement of objectives?
- To what extent have provisions been made for assessing potential application, and fostering exploitation, of results?
