Language Acquisition & Multilingualism

The central aim of the programme is to instigate research on the intersection of the fields of language acquisition and multilingualism. The innovative power of the programme is founded in the integrated approach that combines three major aspects of the study of language acquisition and multilingualism: the role of architecture, processing and context in a multilingual setting. Proposals submitted within the framework of the LA&M programme, have to focus on the intersection of the fields of language acquisition and multilingualism. Preference is given to projects that approach the research topic by combining (at least two of) the three dimensions of architecture, processing and context, as outlined in the programme brochure. Research projects on native language acquisition (unrelated to bilingualism) fall outside the scope of the programme, as does demographic research into the use of several languages or language varieties in certain regions or communicative situations.

The Call for Proposals focusses on international collaboration. The LA&M programme in the Netherlands encourages researchers in the Netherlands and the UK/Germany to work on a joint research project comprising two postdocs working on a related question in the area of lanquage acquisition and multilingualism: one postdoc in the Netherlands and one postdoc from either the UK or Germany.

Who can apply

Senior researchers who are affiliated with a Dutch university or NWO or KNAW institute can apply for funding.

What can be applied for

Applications can be made for postdoc projects (maximum 2 years on a fulltime basis).

Extra Information

Researchers must submit a proposal only to their national research council (Dutch researchers to NWO, German researchers to the Deutsche Forschungs Gemeinschaft/DFG and British researchers to the Economic and Social Research Council/ESRC), on the relevant forms for each country, and according to the rules as may apply in each. Funding of the partner project is a prerequisite for funding by NWO.

Criteria

Applications will be assessed by both referees and assessment committee on the following assessment criteria:

1. Scientific significance

• Is the proposal theoretically embedded and interesting from a scientific perspective?

2. Scientific quality and feasibility

• Are the problem definition and the research questions concise, unambiguous, verifiable and comprehensible for the scientific forum in the research area in question?
• Is the proposed research sufficiently outlined?
• Are the formulated research questions elaborated adequately?
• Is the definition of concepts and ideas clearly described?
• Are the methods and techniques suitable for answering the research questions?
• Are the choices for proposed methods and techniques motivated?
• Are the sources mentioned accessible and suitable for answering the research questions?
• Does the work plan have a logical composition and is it well phased?
• Is this based on a specified time frame for the research?

3. Scientific quality of the applicant and research group

• Does the applicant have expertise on the research topic, based on the applicant’s recent and relevant publications?

4. Expected scientific output

• Number and timing of scientific output (publications and presentations)

5. Added value of the collaboration

• Do the linkages and synergies between the two partner projects add value to the proposed research?

6. Adequacy with respect to the goals and objectives of the LA&M programme

• Relevance to the two areas language acquisition and multilingualism
• Combination of (at least two of) the three dimensions architecture, processing, and context.

Procedure

• The proposal will be reviewed by two external peer referees.
• All received reviews will be sent to the main applicant for reply. The main applicant will be given the opportunity to give a short reply. The eligible proposals will be assessed by the LA&M programme committee. The assessment is based on the proposal, the reviews and the reply of the applicant. The LA&M programme committee will prioritize all proposals eligible for funding by comparing the proposals on the assessment criteria. The most important criteria are scientific significance, scientific quality and feasibility, added value of the collaboration and whether the project meets the goals of the LA&M programme.
• The programme committee advises the Board of Humanities on the decision formation. The Board will make a decision based on this advice and the available funds.
• The German and British officers will inform the NWO officer about the outcome of the DFG / ESRC procedure, since funding of the partner project is a prerequisite for funding by NWO. The agencies will aim to reach a decision within not more than 26 weeks of submission.
• Projects that have been awarded funding must begin by 1 November 2007 at the latest.

Committees

Programme Committee.

Budget

Budget is available for a limited number of postdoc projects.

Financiers

NWO Humanities Division.

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