
AUF - INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR PROJECTS AUF COVID-19
Eligible university in Thailand :
- University of Phi
-University of Naresuan
-University of Kasetsart
-University of Rangsit
I. Context and issues
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic facing the world, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), true to its values of solidarity and sharing, has put in place a vast action plan for its member institutions and partners. See: https://www.auf.org/nouvelles/actualites/plan-dactions-de-lauf-special-…
Among the programmed actions (Axis IV - Action 10), the AUF proposes an exceptional international call for projects with an accelerated and simplified submission, evaluation and selection process designed to support the numerous initiatives related to the pandemic that are emerging in a highly responsive, ingenious and responsible university space that relies on collaborative networks of particularly creative and innovative students, teachers and researchers.
II. Objectives
General objective: to value the contribution of AUF member universities to the development of solutions with immediate technological and/or social impact to help health systems and populations to face the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specific objective: to support the development of innovative and frugal initiatives, adapted to their ecosystem and with immediate impact.
III. Beneficiaries
- Final beneficiaries: Health structures. Structures dealing with sick, vulnerable or isolated people. Structures fighting against gender-based violence (increasing in periods of confinement).
- Direct beneficiaries of the funding: Higher education institutions that are members of the AUF for the benefit of students, student associations or clubs, student engineers, young researchers, laboratories or research centres integrating young researchers, Fablabs or incubator leaders and makers.
IV. Eligibility Criteria
Projects may be submitted by higher education institutions or research structures that are members of the AUF as well as university networks that are members of the AUF. See: https://www.auf.org/les_membres/nos-membres/
The call emphasizes the investment of student communities in the fight against VIDOC- 19. However, the project coordinator must be a permanent teacher or researcher from one of these institutions.
Projects from countries with advanced and well-funded university structures will be selected if they involve higher education institutions from countries with intermediate or emerging structures.
The call will mainly fund small projects to be carried out rapidly but may exceptionally support the deployment of internationally oriented projects, already mature, to promote local adaptation or scientific/technological transfer.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) will be able to apply in the framework of a partnership led by an AUF member institution.
Projects based on public-private collaborations will also be valued, particularly companies that wish to invest in the university system, always for the benefit of the health ecosystem.
V. Domains
Any initiative with a technological, economic and/or social impact that can be assessed in the very short term is eligible.
It may be an aid or support measure, such as a manufactured product. For example (non-exhaustive list): production of equipment essential for care, protection or prevention of health risks (masks, gloves, disinfectants, respirators, swabs, etc.), public health actions, development of applications, development of decision-making tools, communication and awareness-raising on the prevention of health risks, assistance to vulnerable or isolated people, prevention of the psychological or socio-economic impacts of the health crisis, combating violence against women and children in periods of confinement.
VI. Expected results
The results of the projects will have to have an impact in the very short term in response to the health crisis.
VII. Budget
In view of the urgency and the immense needs, the AUF is dedicating an exceptional fund of 500,000 euros to this appeal.
Budgetarily, the projects to be submitted are divided into 2 categories:
- Category A projects (projects with an immediate technological, economic and/or social impact) :
A1- projects proposed at less than 10,000 euros
A2- proposed projects between 10 and 20,000 euros
- Category B projects (exceptional, high-impact or particularly innovative projects with an inter-regional or international dimension):
B- projects proposed up to 50 000 euros Eligible expenditure :
- Purchase of raw materials and transport costs
- Purchase of equipment, consumables and shipping costs
- Rental of equipment
- Costs of compliance or certification tests or possible homologation
- Communication costs
- Missions and travels, subject to the rules in force in the
governments concerned
- Internet and telecommunications
Due to the exceptional nature of this call, the selected institution will not be able to receive either management or personnel costs.
Projects which also propose public or private co-financing will be particularly appreciated.
The budget may be paid to the institution to which the project leader belongs or managed directly by the AUF regional directorate concerned. The most efficient and quickest solution will be preferred.
VIII. Evaluation
The files will be evaluated by committees of international experts brought together by the AUF Regional Directorate where the project will be deployed.
The AUF will give priority to the following criteria:
- Usefulness, innovation and speed of implementation of the project
- Project developed in a collaborative manner between universities and civil society
- Project completed in the very short term (3 months maximum)
- Technological, economic or social impact that can be assessed in the very short term (six months).
maximum)
- Prototype in compliance with national regulations (tested, approved,
registered or in progress...)
- Project promoting free solutions (open source code, open hardware, deliverables, etc.).
under free license...)
- Project reproducible to other areas, with or without adjustment
- Special attention to women-led projects
IX. Calendar
- Call publication date: Friday, April 10, 2020
- Deadline for submission of forms on the platform: Sunday, May 3, 2020 midnight
(Paris time)
- Date of publication of results: Friday, May 15, 2020
- Duration of the project (excluding evaluation): 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020 (with the possibility of
extension of 1 or 2 months if necessary, depending on the evolution of the health situation)
X. Formalities
Download the response form to the call for proposals: HERE
Link to the deposit platform: https://formulaires.auf.org (free prior registration) XI.
Contacts
Any request for clarification may be sent to the following address until Tuesday, April 28 at 12:00 noon (Paris time): appel-covid19@auf.org.
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