Principal Investigator Preparatory Programme (PIPP)

The aim of Principal Investigator Preparatory Programme (PIPP) is to enable Dutch scientific institutes and scientists employed at these institutes to increase their chances of becoming a principal investigator (PI) in future (ESA) space missions.

The following three scientific areas have been chosen as spearheads:

• Astronomical space research;
• Earth-oriented space research;
• Planetary space research.

Who can apply

Scientists with a full or part-time appointment at a university or scientific institute with an independent research objective. Other institutes or companies can be part of a consortium but then only as a subcontractor.

Applicants should demonstrate that they can access the necessary (knowledge) infrastructure required for the eventual PI role, whether within their own institute or by means of (structural) cooperation with other institutes and parties.

Only researchers with an appointment that is guaranteed for the duration of the project applied for may submit an application.

What can be applied for

A grant can be requested to cover all reasonable non-infrastructural costs that must be incurred for the study, such as the appointment of personnel (one position per project; postdoc or non-scientific personnel for a maximum of 2 years), material costs including equipment (max. k€ 100) and travel costs.

The total budget requested may not exceed k€ 150 per project application.

When can be applied

• Closing date for submitting applications was 12 October 2011.

Extra Information

For this programme an annual call for proposals will be organised. Additionally, applications for activities of a limited size (max. k€ 5) can be submitted throughout the year.

Criteria

1. Scientific quality and potential of the proposal. This includes the extent to which the proposed project activities contribute to increasing the chance of a PI role for the intended mission/instrument.
2. Connections with distinctive Dutch scientific and technological capabilities.
3. Quality of the composition of the applying consortium. This includes the level of commitment of the PI and his/her institute and the extent to which the scientific field in the Netherlands is organised.
4. Feasibility of the PI role aspired to (incl. likelihood of subsequent funding after PIPP).

Procedure

All applications received shall be tested by NSO for admissibility. The external PIPP committee shall evaluate the applications according to the four criteria and shall prioritise these.

Committees

An external committee without any direct interest in the projects shall evaluate the applications. It shall then issue an advice to the Physical Sciences Divisional Board and they shall take the final decision. NSO shall supply the secretary to the PIPP committee.

Budget

500,000 euro annually.

Financiers

Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW)

Contacts

• Ms drs. D.S.D. (Daniëlle) Hollman
  phone: +31 (0)88 602 45 44, e-mail: d.hollman@spaceoffice.nl
• Dr. R.P. (Rolf) de Groot
  phone: +31 (0)88 602 45 42, e-mail: r.degroot@spaceoffice.nl