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Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA) Promoting Excellence in Research László P. Kollár President. Sofi a, 5 th December , 2013. OTKA = Hungarian Scientific Research Fund. Founded: 1986 (independent institution). LIFE SCIE N CES Brain research Agriculture Etc. Councils :.
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Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA) Promoting Excellence in ResearchLászló P. Kollár President Sofia, 5th December, 2013
OTKA = Hungarian Scientific Research Fund Founded: 1986 (independent institution) LIFE SCIENCES • Brain research • Agriculture • Etc. Councils: SCIENCE & ENGINEERING • Physics • Mathematics • Etc. SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES • Literature • Archeology • Etc.
Sponsor? Publicly Industry- funded funded BASIC RESEARCH APPLICATION-DRIVEN RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY
APPLIED – BASIC (DISCOVERY)RESEARCH Yes Purebasic research (Bohr) Application driven basic r. (Pasteur) Deep scientific under-standing No Pure applied research (Edison) Yes No Application
VISION Top quality, curiosity- driven research Stimulate higher education Promote research career IMPACT Scientific impact
MAJOR ACTIVITIES 90% Research projects (4 or 3 years) HUF < 24 (40) M > 24 (40) M Age PD NF < 35 (40) Starting Grant Postdoc K NK No age limit • Publications • International • Bilateral (lead-agency) etc.
MAJOR CHANGES in the last ten years • Electronic proposal submission & review system • Language: English • International referees/International panels • Support of open access • New funding mechanisms
MAJOR STEPS - EVALUATION Decision-making • Scientific excellence • Potential scientific & societal impact Monitoring Final report - evaluation
Decision-making (Excellence & impact) • 3 anonymous reviewers • Panel ranking • Council/Board decision (experts on narrow field) (experts on broader field) Transparency • Known rules and decision-making mechanism • Strict rules: conflict of interest • Applicants get: reviews + panel evaluation • Council/Board “does not” change the ranking
Decision-making (Excellence & impact) • Special procedures • Large projects • Interdisciplinary proposals • High risk/high gain proposals • International collaborations
Problem:Small country – Small scientific community Conflict of interest „Friend” – „enemy” – independent Solution: international reviewers /panels
Evolution in OTKA Step 1 English proposal 2005 Physics 2008 Life sciences 2009 Science and Engineering 2010 Social Sciences & Humanities (1% Hungaricum) Step 2 English reviews (2005 – ) 2013 With FWF – no Hungarian reviews 2013 Life sciences – foreign r. are required 2014 …. Step 3 International panels 2006 Hungarian speaking foreigners 2013 Few English s. panels (~50% foreigners)
IMPACT – Societal impacts • Stimulate higher education • Research career • Reduce brain-drain (“Brain-gain” – Hungarian Academy of Sc.) HUF < 24 (40) M > 24 (40) M Age PD NF < 35 (40) Starting Grant Postdoc K NK No age limit 60 % to Universities and Colleges
IMPACT – Societal impacts Support for “young” researchers (%) EURYI Norwegian Start. Grant PostDoc + Employment in project ~ 8%
Conclusion – Promoting Excellence Decision making • Transparency / conflict of interest • International decision making Priorities • Excellence & impact (high risk/high gain) • Research career • Young researcher (early independence) • International collaboration • Interdisciplinary research
CONCLUSION (Vision) Top quality, curiosity- driven research Stimulate higher education Promote research career IMPACT Scientific impact