The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and the Austrian Science Fund announce a continuous competition (the ANF_a competition) (without restrictions on the time periods to submit applications, for the duration of the joint Memorandum) for joint research projects implemented by groups of Russian and Austrian scientists in the following areas of knowledge:

(01) mathematics, mechanics, informatics;

(02) physics and astronomy;

(03) chemistry and studies of materials;

(04) biology and medical science;

(05) Earth sciences;

(06) humanities and social sciences;

(07) information and telecommunication systems;

(08) fundamentals of engineering sciences.

The ANF_a competition will be held as per rules for competitions among initiative-based research projects (the paragraph a competition).

Russian and Austrian scientists participating in projects submitted to the ANF_a competition will have to agree in advance on the subject-matter of their applications. The project name should be the same both in corresponding Russian and Austrian applications.

Join initiative-based project duration until completion: 3 years.

Russian scientists are invited to submit their applications to RFBR while Austrian scientists should simultaneously submit their applications to the ASF of Austria. Under Russian applications there may be not more than 10 participants per application.

RFBR will notify project leaders through the Grant-Express system of the registration of their projects and the acceptance of such projects for review and also of the rejection of projects.

All applications accepted to participate in the competition will undergo an independent parallel merit review: applications by Austrian scientists will be reviewed by ASF; applications by Russian scientists, by RFBR. Applications will be merit-reviewed by each side independently in accordance with its applicable rules.

The results of the competition will be announced twice a year -- at the end of June and at the end of November of each year. Projects supported in June of the current year will be funded during the current year while funds allocated for work under the projects must be used by the end of the current year. Projects supported in June of the current year will be funded in the current year. Russian scientists should submit applications to the ANF_g competition in good time as it takes 4-5 months for applications to be reviewed by the Austrian Science Foundation.

The list of projects supported by both sides will be published on the RFBR website.

Reports submitted by Russian scientists under initiative-based projects within the framework of the ANF_a competition will be drawn up as per rules for paragraph a competition reports (see the RFBR website for reporting rules for the relevant report submission year).

The following due dates are established for Russian participants to submit reports:

1) For projects submitted for approval by June 30:

а) a report for the first year of research - by March 1 of the year following the year during which funding was first provided;

b) a report for the second year of research - by March 1 of the second year after the year during which funding was first provided;

c) a final report -- by March 1 of the third year after the commencement of funding.

Projects awarded support by both sides will be financed in the following manner: RFBR will pay for expenses related to the implementation of projects by Russian scientists while ASF will pay for expenses made by Austrian researchers. Sustenance, business travel, daily allowances and transfers will be paid for by the sending party.

The maximum amount of annual funding to be provided by RFBR under projects selected for support will be up to 700,000 rubles.

A decision to continue funding a project for the next year will be made based on the results of an expert review of progress reports.

Reviewed will be only those applications that are drawn up using our interactive Grant-Express system (via the Internet) (see RFBR website, Grant-Express System). After a registration number is received, the project leader should print out and submit to RFBR 1 (one) printed-out copy of the application.

The full text of the announcement is posted on the Russian webpage of RFBR.