Donations for thematic research projects in COWI

06.06.2017

Purpose

COWIfonden has decided to spend part of the funds available for donations to support thematic research projects in 2017. Consequently, the Foundation invites applications for thematic research projects, which are suitable for its support. The third round will focus on the following main themes:

• Grid technologies
• Recycling and waste to value
• Urban mobility

Who can apply?

Employees from COWI companies throughout Scandinavia are eligible for applying for support on the condition that the projects are developed and undertaken jointly with universities in Scandinavia.

Process

• The applicants are to submit their project ideas to COWIfonden's mailing address cowifonden@cowifonden.dk at the latest 20 August 2017. The project idea is to include an explanation of the background of the proposal, the context and the strategic purpose as well as give a description of the most important elements of contents. In addition, the project idea is to include an estimate of the overall budget and the support needed from COWIfonden. The project idea is also to include an estimate of the funds needed for preparing a proper application. The presentation of the project idea is limited to a maximum of three to five pages excluding annexes.
• COWIfonden's board will select one to three qualified project ideas in the beginning of September 2017.
• The selected applicants are to prepare a detailed application in the period from 10 September to 15 October 2017. The deadline for submitting a detailed application is 15 October 2017 via COWIfonden's online application form.
• COWIfonden's board will select one or two applications eligible for donations at the end of November 2017.
• COWIfonden expects to send the letter confirming the donations in December 2017.
• The project duration is expected to be maximum three years.

Financial framework

• COWIfonden has earmarked up to DKK 100,000 per project idea selected for making a proper project draft according to Foundation's guidelines.
• The university share of the funds applied for is to be minimum 40%.
• Support may be granted to the fee (salary + overhead costs [DKK 175/hour]) and other project-related costs (actual expenditure + 20% overhead costs).
• Co-financing from all parties involved is a condition for receiving support.
• Total funds applied for: Maximum DKK 3 million for a three-year project.

Further information

COWIfonden is looking for project ideas, which are able to meet the following demands:

Projects with a high professional level and significant novelty value holding a long-term perspective beyond the general market and performance development, and which are expected to take place under COWI management. It is a requirement that it is a COWI employee, who submits the project idea. COWIfonden will prioritize projects undertaken jointly with some of the other COWI departments located in more than one of the three Nordic regions. COWIfonden's donations are of a non-profit nature and it is therefore a requirement that the results of the projects are published/made accessible to the public.

For a project idea to become eligible for the preparation of a full project draft, the applicant must document that COWI's management fully supports the project idea before the donation is granted. A statement of support issued by the responsible Regional Vice President will satisfy this requirement.

Project ideas and applications may be prepared in English or any of the Scandinavian languages.

For additional details, please refer to COWIfonden's general requirements and guidelines for project applications, which can be found on COWIfonden's website www.cowifonden.dk.

Contact details

If you need any further information, please contact the Foundation's secretary, Joan Maj Nielsen (cowifonden@cowifonden.dk).