The network facilitates extensive mobility of researchers at all levels of attainment. The mobility programme is designed to contribute to closer integration and collaboration between the different partners of the Consortium, but also to deeper integration of the activities of the group as a whole.

The network facilitates extensive mobility of Garnet researchers at all levels of attainment. The rationale behind this strategy is the belief that mobility is a crucial instrument in consolidating and integrating the activities and expertise of the Consortium members. The mobility programme is designed in order to contribute not only to closer integration and collaboration between the different partners of the Consortium as such, but also to deeper integration of the activities of the group as a whole.

The mobility programme has an open and competitive application procedure, whereby all researchers from Garnet Consortium members are eligible to apply for mobility funds. The selection committee consists of senior researchers and professors from the coordinating institutions (Warwick, UNU/CRIS and Goteborg) plus at least one additional member of the GARNET network.

The mobility programme is an important aspect of GARNET’s work. Mobility awards will have two elements:

• Researchers receiving mobility awards will be chosen from among both senior and junior researcher staff, and
• For work within the themes and programmes of GARNET.

Mobility of senior research staff is to ensure that the network can make optimal use of the expertise available in each group and at the same time avoid duplication. Consortium members will be encouraged to develop a deep understanding of how other members and groups function. Such expertise and understanding can best be achieved by mobility so that the leading scientists can learn about their colleagues’ institutes. In the long run we intend this to contribute to the coordination of strategic research plans and research funding applications among network members.

Next to this, mobility has to be organised in support of the jointly executed research programmes. This is where the mobility of junior researchers will be integral. They will be both integral to research activities, but also on learning and training curves. Emphasis will be on both short-term visits at key moments in the execution of joint programmes, as well as longer visits where experts from different institutions spend some time together at one place to work together on a project. This can be regarded as necessary real time supplementation to activities to be shared via the ‘virtual’ network.

A mobility package should clearly benefit the GARNET network, as well as the individual researcher and the host institution. Mobility applications should be made jointly by the researcher and the host institution. It is expected that in case of intended activity within a workpackage or joint research area, the relevant coordinator will be contacted.

Mobility is open to junior researchers (< 4 years experience), mid-term researcher (4-10 years) and senior researchers (> 10 years). Please note that only doctoral students at the later (writing-up) stages of their dissertation would be considered.

Mobility is encouraged across the GARNET network; all things being equal, junior mobility and the considerations of the GARNET Gender Action Plan are at the forefront of this workpackage.

The suitability of applicants for a mobility award is considered according to the following criteria:

• qualifications and experience;
• quality of research proposal;
• salience of GARNET agenda;
• suitability of host institution.

The call for applications for the eighth round of mobility is now open. The deadline for applications is 12 September 2008. More information about the application procedure can be found here.

• 2008-2009
• 2007-2008
• 2006-2007
• 2005-2006

For more information on mobility fellowships and upcoming calls, please contact Eleni Tsingou.