[CALL] ESI: Thematic Programme

01.10.2022

Deadline: 2022-10-01

Please note that due to the Coronavirus situation the deadline for the proposal submission for thematic programmes has been changed to October 1.

Thematic programmes offer the opportunity for a large number of scientists at all career stages to come together for discussions, brainstorming, seminars and collaboration.

They typically last between 4 and 12 weeks, and are structured to cover several topical focus areas connected by a main theme in mathematics, physics or at the interface between them. A programme may also include shorter workshop-like periods.

Note that participation in thematic programmes is by invitation only.

As a rule, the ESI schedules four to six thematic programmes each year. On this page you can find details on the application process for the organization of thematic programmes. Note that the ESI considers the fruitful interaction between mathematicians and physicists an important component in the evaluation - and acceptance - of programme proposals.

 

1.) Submission of thematic programme proposals

Proposals should be submitted in PDF-format to applications@esi.ac.at.

Download the cover sheet that has to be submitted together with your proposal here.

A proposal must contain:

  • The names of the organizers, including a local organizer
  • A proposed time slot (usually 1 - 3 months)
  • A brief but precise description of the scientific aims of the programme, about 2 - 3 pages in length
  • A list of scientists to be invited including some key contributors who ideally have already expressed their intention to participate
  • A description of potential interactions with local scientists and/or programmes at other institutions
  • An indication of additional sources of funding for participants including post-docs

The ESI strongly supports efforts to improve the gender balance in mathematics and physics and particularly encourages the participation of women in all ESI activities. For thematic programmes, organizers should aim for at least 20% female participants and ideally also the organizing team should include women. The expected number of female participants should be stated in the proposal. Thus, 20% of the ESI budget foreach thematic programme will be reserved for per diem payments to female participants only.

Programme proposals will be presented to the members of the International Scientific Advisory Board of the ESI to be discussed by them at their annual meeting (usually in June/July of the year n-2 ). The Director of the ESI will then communicate the subsequent decisions on the submitted programme proposals to the applicants. At the same time he will allocate time slots to the accepted programmes and inform the successful applicants of the level of funding granted to them.

The extent of financial support for scientific thematic programmes by the ESI will typically be in the range of EUR 36.000 - 84.000 (corresponding to 15 - 35 person-months). The Institute encourages visits by qualified scientists who wish to collaborate with participants of ESI research programmes and local scientists (see ESI scholars).

The ESI supports programme participants with a per diem of up to EUR 80 per night spent in Vienna. Travel expenses cannot be paid by the ESI.

 

2.) Guidelines for thematic programme proposals

Applicants should initially concentrate on identifying a representative group of leading experts in the field as prospective participants. This will help to give scientific direction and focus to the programme.

Applicants are encouraged to look for additional sources of funding for their thematic programme. In particular, they should indicate contributions they expect from other sources, names of scientists able to participate using own funds, and kinds of support for post-docs or graduate students they envisage.

Programmes typically run for 1 - 3 months and may include one or more periods of special activities ("workshops", "conferences", typically 1 - 3 weeks). The applicants should indicate their preferred dates for such activities. Upon final acceptance of a programme proposal, the ESI Director will coordinate the dates of such specific activities of the various thematic programmes and inform the applicants accordingly.

The scientific community measures the ultimate success of a programme by the impact it has on the research subject. However, a preliminary indicator is the quality and number of preprints and subsequent publications by guest scientists related to their work at the ESI.