General information
Can documents be submitted later?
No, the application must be submitted in full via the online platform by the deadline. If the OeAD identifies minor formal deficiencies during the formal review, e.g. a missing stamp, these can be rectified within 14 days.
Is it possible to resubmit rejected Sparkling Science project proposals?
Resubmissions are welcome, provided that the project proposal has been revised on the basis of the reviewers' recommendations and reflects the latest state of research.
Do ethics votes or animal experimentation applications have to be submitted?
A final, positive ethics committee vote or a declaration of no objection as well as approved animal experimentation applications only have to be submitted with the start report, which has to be submitted two months after the start of the project.
Eligible applicants
Are self-employed researchers eligible to apply?
No (see special guideline 5.2). The contract is always concluded with a submitting institution. In the event that a project leader is unavailable, this organisation is responsible for ensuring that the project is still carried out.
Are limited liability companies (GmbH) eligible to submit?
Non-commercial limited liability companies are eligible to apply, provided that the company pursues a scientific research purpose and cooperates with at least one scientific institution within the scope of the project.
Are museums eligible to apply?
Museums that function as non-university research institutions or have research as one of their declared tasks in their guidelines or have a recognised research focus (e.g. federal museums) are eligible to apply.
Is co-operation with business partners possible (not only scientific partners)?
Yes, if they are relevant to the project objectives, partners from industry or society are very welcome.
Can a consortium consisting of several institutions submit a joint application?
No, applications must be submitted by one institution. This institution then takes over the project management and becomes the contractual partner in the event of funding. Other institutions can be involved in the project as co-operation partners.
Why do non-profit organisations, associations, societies and NGOs have to work together with universities, universities of applied sciences and non-university research institutions?
The ‘Sparkling Science 2.0’ programme only funds projects that generate new and innovative scientific findings. Experience from the predecessor programme has shown that projects that work together with university or non-university research institutions are better able to meet the required research objectives and therefore have a better chance of receiving funding.
Can a project have several project leaders?
No. Only one responsible person can act as project leader. How projects are organised internally is up to each project itself.
Is there a limit to the number of funding applications that can be submitted by an institution or a project leader?
No, there is no limit. However, it should be borne in mind that the necessary human resources must be available even if all submitted projects are funded.
Submission platform
Who should register on the submission platform?
The online platform is structured in such a way that the person who actually manages one or more projects of the submitting organisation should register. This can be the project manager themselves or the person who supports the project manager with the submission. Communication until the funding decision is made always takes place with the person registered on the platform and the project manager.
Can data (e.g. title, cooperation partners, uploads, etc.) still be changed on the submission platform if this data has already been saved?
Yes, until the completeness of the submission is confirmed and the application is sent.
Additional funding
Are there any requirements for applying for the additional funding ‘Development of CS expertise through international networking’?
The additional funding is intended to promote the development of citizen science expertise in the scientific research community, e.g. by establishing international partnerships, by international scientists working in the project team or by networking with international citizen science organisations. Participation in international conferences, for example, is not sufficient to apply for additional funding.
There are many international citizen science projects that you can learn from (e.g. in terms of their software, methods, questionnaires or learning materials). It is therefore worth finding out about ongoing research projects and citizen science platforms worldwide. The website of the OeAD Centre for Citizen Science provides a good overview.
Applicants who apply for additional funding for their project must include a detailed description of the concept and implementation in one paragraph.