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Newsletter Research April 2009

1. Introduction


Much too late – but what is too late in a discipline that works towards eternity? – the Newsletter Research for April 2009 could be posted. It has rested so long on the metaphorical shelves ‘work in preparation’ of my PC’s hard disk that I forgot to complete it. No harm because it doesn’t contain urgent deadlines. May I refer all the younger researchers to the Idealab of the Academische Stichting and encourage (esp. the “younger” doctoral students) to consider participating in an Erasmus-exchange that could be worthwile for their research? For our colleagues in Systematics and related areas the research funding offered by the PCRI might be worthwhile to look into.

Best of luck!

2. Erasmus-exchange for ALL doctoral students!!


It is already known for some time that the possiiblity of ERASMUS-funded stays abroad does not only exist for regular BA, MA and Adv MA-students but also for doctoral students who are enrolled on a full-time basis at K.U. Leuven. Only recently it has become clear that this possibility also exost for bearers of a non-EU-passport. This means that all doctoral students of the faculty do have the possibility to go abroad for a substantial period (1 or 2 semesters) when this would be favourable for their research. It deserves recommendation to do so relatively early in the doctoral program because traditionally the ERASMUS-program is more education-centred than research-centred and presuppoes that courses are being followed. More information can be obtained with Ms. Rita Dehaes at the Faculty Secretariate.

3. Academische Stichting Leuven - Idealabs


Dear PhD student,

Academische Stichting Leuven has been supporting young researchers at KU Leuven for many years, by awarding travel grants for international meetings or scientific prizes for excellent doctoral research. With our magazine, Karakter, we distribute new insights and developments to the scientific community and beyond.
This year we start with a new initiative: IdeaLabs.
With IdeaLabs we provide financial support for innovative and collective scientific projects that are still in the preparatory phase and which are therefore not yet suited to traditional funding schemes. An IdeaLab can be a discussion group, a proof of principle experiment, a lecture series... It lasts for a maximum of 3 years. Young researchers who want to develop an original scientific idea or hypothesis in a multidisciplinary group, can now apply for start up money at Academische Stichting Leuven.
You will find all information on IdeaLabs including the application procedure on our website: http://www.kuleuven.be/asl/idealab/ (English version will be added soon).

Best regards and looking forward to your applications
Jan Eggermont (chair) & Geert Van Calster (secretary)
Academische Stichting Leuven
http://www.kuleuven.be/asl/

4. Research Funding – Pentecostal and Charismatic Research Initiative


  • The Pentecostal and Charismatic Research Initiative (PCRI) will provide up to $3.5 million to support social science research on Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union.
  • seven grants to regional centers
  • fifteen grants to individual scholars or small research teams.
  • Proposals must be focused on one of four regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the former Soviet Union). Projects in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey and the Pacific Islands are included. Comparative research projects are also eligible, including projects that explore the connections between Western countries and one or more of the four regions mentioned above.
  • In practice scholars from K.U. Leuven can best apply for an individual grant because the regional centers or at least the project’s core-staff (incl. principal investigator) are expected to be located in the geographical areas mentioned. With regard to the individual grants it is stipulated that “Researchers may reside in any country, but they must conduct research activities in one of the four regions”.
  • Letters of intent (no more than four single-spaced 12-point-font pages + additional materials) due on August, 1 2009.

More information: http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/pcri/