Call for Proposals

Individual Research Scholarships at The Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK) 2023

Deadline for applications: December 15, 2022

The Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK) invites applications for individual research fellowships for periods of 4-8 months between March 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

Applications should reflect interdisciplinary in the social science and humanities, and in the natural sciences should have social relevance. Research proposals should connect theoretical knowledge with practical application to policy recommendations that serve the public good.

iASK Research Priorities for 2023:

KRAFTing the Future

The flagship program at iASK is called KRAFT: Creative Cities and Sustainable Regions. We are looking for innovative applications that address complex regional development initiatives and ideas that transform into public policy to increase the vitality and sustainability of regions and micro-regions. An important aspect to consider is the role of cultural heritage and its maintenance. Applications should:

• analyse and critique key concepts in the area of sustainability (ecological, economic, cultural and social aspects)
• demonstrate a deep understanding of current global trends, the interconnectedness of crises and their local ramifications as well as practical utilisation of research for societal change
• data collection and analysis for evidence-based research on waste and pollution to support the critical study of the circular economy

Complexity Studies

Complex systems theory is both an intellectual framework and a methodological toolkit to cope with the problems of the modern world including globalization, climate change, fragile societies, disruptive technologies, disintegrating social order, loss of identity, overpopulation, mass migration, and disorders due to increasing uncertainty. This includes data science and modelling approaches. Research should promote multidisciplinary and policy discussions and relate social research to natural sciences. In addition, applications should:

• highlight parallels and differences between complex natural and social systems
• demonstrate a solid foundation in the key concepts of complex systems in nature and society and their interactions: both in theory and its application to different fields of study

Societies in Transition

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate emergencies and multiple crises caused by the war in Ukraine have major implications on Europe’s security and geopolitics. A core goal of post-Cold War Europe was to progress with the enlargement project through systematic transformations, but these processes have been disrupted and the diverging trajectories of post-communist countries need investigation, at the same time placing them in a global context. Topics can include:

• Comparative research on contemporary economic and political strategies in the V4 countries
• Memory and Politics in East Central Europe and the Balkans
• Network research in Central Europe
• Historical and cultural heritage in Central Europe

Eligibility: The scholarship is open to applicants with advanced university degrees.

Two categories of researchers are awarded:

Senior researcher: A senior professor or researcher (academic doctorate, habilitated associate professor) in any higher education or academic institution (university or research institute). In exceptional cases, expert applicants without a doctorate, but with demonstrated outstanding academic and professional achievements (scientific and artistic) may also apply. All must have at least 10 years of professional experience in their respective fields.  Based on professional experience, scholarship levels range from 500,000-650,000HUF per month.

Early-career researcher: Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) be a doctoral student or doctoral candidate (who has completed their coursework) and their research must not be supported by other sources of funding; 2) hold a PhD/DLA degree. All must have 1-3 years of experience in higher education or research, and at least 3 publications in national or international journals. Based on professional experience, scholarship levels range from 350,000 to 450,000HUF per month.

The Selection Committee may reclassify the fellowship between senior and early-career candidates and will decide on the scholarship level.

ONLY APPLICATIONS IN ENGLISH ARE ACCEPTED.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15, 2022 (24.00CET)

Applications are to be submitted electronically (scanned and signed, in PDF format) and sent to:  scholarship@iask.hu; and hard copies by post to: Izabella Agárdi, Institute of Advanced Studies, Chernel utca 14, Pf. 4., Kőszeg, 9730 Hungary.

Deadline for sending the original, signed documents (date of postmark at the latest): December 15, 2022

Proposals will be acknowledged as received by the Head of the Research Unit by the 7th day following the date of receipt of the proposal by post.

The complete application package consists of:

• a completed application form (Application form_2023)
• Research proposal (maximum 5 pages)
  • The applicant submits a monthly research work plan, objectives, methodology, the expected scientific results and their relevance for science and society.
• signed declaration form (Declaration of Honour_2023)
• a curriculum vitae with a photograph, including a list of publications (in the case of MTMT registration, the data and the publication list)
• a copy of your academic degree certificate(s)
• a copy of identity card or passport (non-EU citizen)
• in the case of young researchers, a professional reference letter proving relevant professional experience

Evaluation of applications: The evaluation of proposals will be carried out by a Selection Committee composed of experts in the relevant disciplines. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the evaluation by January 31, 2023.

Contractual conditions and obligations of the scholarship will be detailed after the evaluation of successful candidates This includes the requirement of physical presence at iASK for 75% of the scholarship period.

Ineligibility

Applications are ineligible if:

• Counterfeit or false data is supplied in the application.
• If the applicant has failed to fulfil the requirements of grants contracted in the last three calendar years before the submission of this application.
• If the applicant acts as an evaluator in the assessment of the applications for this call.
• If the applicant is a (close) relative (as defined in the Civil Code of Hungary) of acting evaluators or decision-makers in the assessment process.
• If the applicant has been awarded an iASK research fellowship (minimum 7 months) within the last 3 years.
• If the applicant has been awarded two iASK research fellowships (1-6 months) in the last 3 years.

Personal Data Protection: Personal data provided by the applicant will be processed by the iASK Research Department for the purpose of the application procedure. The same personal data may be accessed by the evaluators of the application in order to fulfil their statutory task. The personal data of successful applicants will be processed by the iASK Secretariat for the purposes of the grant contract and by the Finance and Administration Department for the purposes of the financial accounting of the grant. The legal basis for the processing of personal data is the performance of the public task defined in the Government Decree 311/2015 (X.28.) on the establishment of the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg. The applicant must notify any changes in his/her personal data before a contract is signed to: scholarship@iask.hu. iASK’s Privacy Policy is available at www.iask.hu.

For further information, please contact: Izabella Agárdi (phone +36-94-200-528, e-mail: izabella.agardi@iask.hu ).

Download the Application form_2023

Download the Declaration of Honour_2023

Download the Personal data protection form_2023