COST Action MP1307 Stable Next Generation Photovoltaics: Unraveling Degradation Mechanisms

1. COST Action MP1307 Stable Next Generation Photovoltaics: Unraveling Degradation Mechanisms of Organic Solar Cells by Complementary Characterization Techniques. 2nd MC Meeting and 1st WG Meeting Hotel Condes de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 8th -9th October, 2014 Lars Müller-Meskamp Short Term Scientific Missions

2. Short Term Scientific Missions allows: • Researchers participating in a COST Action • to visit • an institution or laboratory in another participatingCOST Country / an approved NNC institution or an approved IPC institution. • What is the purpose of an STSM? • strengthening existing networks and fostering collaborations • contributeto the overall scientific objectives of the COST Action, • enable eligible Researchers to learn new techniques • gain access to specific expertise, instruments and/or methods not available in their own institutions. The presentationispartiallyeditedaccordingtothediscussion Whatis an STSM andwhatisitspurpose

3. A STSM applicant must be engaged in a research programme as a PhD Student or postdoctoral fellow or can be employed by, or affiliated to, an Institution or legal entity which has within its remit a clear association with performing scientific research. • depends on which country their primary affiliation is held. Who iseligible

4. Duration • Standard STSMs: • minimum duration of 5 days; • maximum duration of 90 days; • ESRs may extend (extended mission): • minimum duration of 91 days; • maximum duration of 180 days; • In any case within a single grant period and within the Action’s lifetime. • Max. funding rates: (for discussion) • Max. 120€ per day • Up to 500€ for travel • A maximum 2 500€ in total (standard STSM). • maximum 3 500€ in total (extended ESR STSM) • Not necessarily full funding! Typesandfunding

5. Host institutions in international partner countries with reciprocal agreement with COST (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa). Separate rules, funding and procedure See -> COST Action Vademecum – STSM, RSTSM Reciprocal STSM (RSTSM)

6. Obtain the written agreement of the host institution • Complete the online application form (see https://e-services.cost.eu/stsm). Our Action is MP1307 • Submit to the STSM host institution and to the STSM coordinator: • the completed e-cost file • CV • full work plan/project description (Use Template) • list of publications • motivation letter • letter of support from the home institution (Use Template) • other supporting info • Wehopetoget a webpage online forsubmissionbythen • If evaluationpositive grantletterissenttotheapplicant STSM process: before 6.3 STSM - process 1. Beforethe STSM In order to receive a STSM grant, the applicant must:  Obtain the written agreement of the host institution, before submitting an application;  Complete the online application form (see https://e-services.cost.eu/stsm);  Send the completed file as e-mail attachment together with the necessary supporting documents (CV, full work plan, list of publications, motivation letter, letter of support from the home institution etc.) to the STSM host institution and to the MC Chair or the STSM coordinator. Assessment and Grant Letter:  The MC (or STSM Coordinator or Committee) will perform the scientific and budgetary assessment of the applications considering the Action objectives and define an acceptable fundinglevel;  Once approved by the MC (or STSM Coordinator or Committee), the Grant Holder needs to receive the approval and then send a grant letter generated from e-COST to the applicant. 2. After the STSM The grantee is required to submit a short scientific report to the host institution (for information) and MC Chair (or to the STSM coordinator) for approval within 30 days after the end date of the STSM containing:  Purposeofthe STSM;  Description of the work carried out during the STSM;  Description of the main results obtained;  Future collaboration with the host institution (if applicable);  Foreseen publications/articles resulting from the STSM (if applicable);  Confirmation by the host institution of the successful execution of the STSM;  Other comments (ifany). The failure to submit the scientific report within 30 days will effectively cancel the grant; The MC Chair (or the STSM coordinator) is responsible for approving the scientific report and informing the Grant Holder that the STSM has been successfully accomplished; After receipt of the approval by email, the Grant Holder will execute the payment of the grant.

7. submit a short scientific report(Use Template)to the host institution (for information) and the STSM coordinator (for approval) within 30 days after the end date of the STSM • PurposeoftheSTSM; • Description of the work carried out during the STSM; • Description of the main results obtained; • Future collaboration with the host institution (if applicable); • Foreseen publications/articles resulting from the STSM (if applicable); • Confirmation by the host institution of the successful execution of the STSM; • Other comments (ifany). • After approval from coordinator, the Grant Holder will execute the payment of the grant. STSM groupshould preparetemplates STSM process 2: afterwards

8. Details werediscussed • 27,737 Euros this year (to be spent until May 2015) • Suggestion: hand out asmuchaspossiblefundsforfirstcall (asap) keepfirstcall open Weaimfor: • Probablyaround 16 missions (~1730€ each) • As manyaspossible! • Economicuseoffundspreferred! Budget

9. Contribute to the scientific objectives of Stable Next SOL: Reviewers give points (1-10) in each category (Use Template), • Scientific excellence (40%, but 6 or above as minimum threshold) • Impact on the action (20%, but 6 or above as minimum threshold) • Alignment with the Stable Next Sol scientific objectives (20%, but 6 or above as minimum threshold) • Economic use of funds (10%) • Personal qualification based on CV (10%) -> Max 10 Points Final decision by STSM coordinator, Chair and Vice Chair • Based on ranking • Ifnecessaryadjustmentsforgender & countrybalanceor optimal budgetuse From discussions, the MC agrees to strongly support female researchers, ESR andNNC/inclusiveness countries Evaluation Criteria

10. STSM evaluationanddecisionisdelegatedto STSM coordinator & coregroup (budgetarydecisions)! • Selectionofreviewers: Volunteers + weinvitefromthememberlistifneeded. • Askfor 3 reviews, but possibletoproceedwithonly 2 • Reviewersarekeptconfidential • Applicantscanvetoreviewers (upto 3) in theirapplications • Grantedapplicationsandtheirreviews & scoresarepublished on website (nothingelse) • Everything (all applications, score list, (reviews), decisionanddecisionjustification) isreportedto MC Common agreement:

11. Getcall out until 20th October 2014 • Review & decide until mid December • Keep the call open until money is spent • In time applications will bepreferred Plan for Call:

12. CostVademecum, STSM section: http://www.cost.eu/module/download/43338 • Online application: • https://e-services.cost.eu/stsm • Someanswers: http://www.cost.eu/participate/networking/grant_holder_qa • NNC: http://www.cost.eu/about_cost/cost_countries/international_cooperation/nnc Helpful links