CIVIS Open Lab Rolling Call for Projects
1. About
Open Labs (OLs) are open and collaborative spaces where universities and local citizens can meet. Together the participants in the lab develop solutions to the challenges facing their city and region. Through innovative thinking and the co-creation of projects, participants can launch creative and inclusive initiatives which have a positive impact on the wider community.
Funding for the OLs is available as a lump sum with each University having access to 80,000 EUR. Lump sum management does not require detailed recording in relation to every expense made. Instead, you must, at the completion of your project, be able to provide a detailed narrative report demonstrating how the project has contributed to fulfilling the relevant CIVIS 2 objectives (the relevant objectives are listed below).
2. Rolling Call
CIVIS invites proposals for projects on a rolling basis. Applications can be submitted monthly, before the 30th of each month. Any submitted projects will then be reviewed at the end of the following month by a central committee made up of the Open Lab Chair, one member from Coordination, one member from Stream 1, and a member from the Service-Learning Expert Group and the Civic Engagement Expert Group (provided no conflict of interest exists).
If a project is above 10,000 EUR amount, then your application will be forwarded to the Steering Committee to seek their approval.
Open Labs may submit start-up projects of new or recently established Open Labs, or implementation projects of already established and structured Open Labs.
Funds can be used for transnational and local initiatives, but it is important that they are directed towards common objectives and illustrate a structured vision for the Open Labs. Open Labs will have to think from the outset of each initiative with a European, broad and potentially transnational outlook, includingthe expertise and perspective of at least 3 partner universities.
3. Eligibility
Projects may be submitted by:
OL Council MembersMembers of the CIVIC Engagement Expert GroupMembers of the Service-Learning Expert GroupAny CIVIS Community Member
Please note, the application form must be filled in by the OL Coordinator, even if the actual project lead is a different person.
4. Process to Apply for Funding
Step 1 – Identify Partners
Project groups must proactively identify each other as potential partners. If you are struggling to find partners to collaborate with, then the Project Lead should contact the Open Lab Coordinator in their own institution to have an initial conversation. The Open Lab Coordinator can then make a suggestion to bring the proposal to the Open Lab Council or to specific members in order to identify partners.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Application
Once you have identified your partners, you should begin the process of preparing your application using the application form. The application form covers:
Applicant InformationProject InformationTitlePartnersHub themeDescription of OL missionDescription of objectives of the project/activity – Please outline how your project will contribute to fulfilling the relevant CIVIS objectives (see below for more information)Project timelinesIntended participants/audienceLocationMobilitiesCIVIS added value to projectSocial impact of projectBudgetAny celebratory events or other outputsDissemination of results
You will also need to complete and upload:
The budget spreadsheet which can be downloaded from the CIVIS box here
Step 3 – Submit Your Application
Following this, you should submit your application using the form provided. Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed by a panel consisting of the Open Lab Chair, one member from Coordination, one member from Stream 1, and a member from the Service-Learning Expert Group and the Civic Engagement Expert Group.
This panel will look at your proposal and provide feedback on the overall application and specifically on how the project relates to the goals of CIVIS 2. Panel feedback will be provided within 3 weeks. If your project is above 10,000 EUR amount, then your application will be forwarded to the Steering Committee to seek their approval.
Step 4 – During Your Project to Completion
While the lump sum management structure of the Open Labs funding does not require a detailed description in relation to every expense made, you must, at the completion of your project, be able to provide a detailed narrative report and demonstrate how the project has contributed to fulfilling the relevant CIVIS 2 objectives (see below).
4. Overview of CIVIS Goals and Aims Relevant to Open Lab Funded Projects
The Stream 1 tasks and objectives from the CIVIS2 project application are relevant for Open Labs funded projects and should be considered in order to help set the direction and outcomes of projects. Not all Stream 1 tasks and objectives are as relevant and so the below outlines the particular objectives, tasks, and milestones that should be included in the development of projects.
Relevant Stream 1 Tasks
The most relevant tasks, objectives, and milestones for the Open Labs come from work package 2, civic engagement and challenge-based education strategy, and work package 4, local to global civic engagement projects. The below provides a detailed breakdown of how these work packages should be achieved. Items highlighted in bold in the tables below are to be given more attention.
Work Package 2 – Civic engagement and challenge-based education strategy
Objective
Task
Description
Milestone
Develop CIVIS 2 civic engagement and challenge-based education strategy.
Build bridges between the academic world and the local social, economic, political, and cultural stakeholders.
Set up and share tools to tackle societal challenges creating new opportunities.
Establish knowledge co-creating teams involving the universities with local and global partner.
Facilitate the involvement of global and local associated partners in the challenge-based agenda.
To update the CIVIS strategy and agenda.
Consolidate the shared frameworks of Open Labs based on existing formats.
Tools and processes for Hubs and Open Labs.
To encourage deeper operational and thematic links between Hubs and Open Labs.
Consolidate the shared framework of Open Labs based on the existing formats.
Articulate Hub and Open Lab strategies around shared societal challenges involving stakeholders.
Develop processes through which educational offerings developed through the Hubs can better incorporate stakeholder involvement stimulated by Open Labs.
Plan the development of the working environment of the Local Open Labs and develop their influence in their respective territories.
Propose products, processes and policies drawn from the Open Labs’ intersectoral knowledge.
Deepen intersectoral networks.
Work Package 4 – Local to global civic engagement projects
Objective
Task
Description
Milestone
Boost civic engagement through Open Labs projects.
Enrich beneficial interactions between communities on our respective campuses as well as societal stakeholders to encourage them to meet, exchange, collaborate and co-create.
- Develop service learning and internship through challenge-based projects with societal stakeholders.
- List of Civic Engagement projects
- Product, processes, and policy recommendations from OL
- Identification of Citizen Science Projects
- International projects focusing on challenges identified by the international associated partners.
- Substantially boost our civic engagement, notably through our Open Labs agenda in collaboration with the Hubs.
- Program a schedule of new Open Lab projects fostering greater interactions with stakeholders.
- Support concrete civic projects identified following internal calls for proposals.
- Share expertise and best practices among Open Labs and associated partners.
- Support the organization of Transnational Open Labs involving several Local ones.
- Host Intersectoral and Transnational Open Labs tackling societal challenges.
- Support Citizen Science projects.
- Identification of citizen-science projects involving citizens & stakeholders via events.
CIVIS Open Lab Call for project
CIVIS Open Lab Rolling Call for Projects
1. About
Open Labs (OLs) are open and collaborative spaces where universities and local citizens can meet. Together the participants in the lab develop solutions to the challenges facing their city and region. Through innovative thinking and the co-creation of projects, participants can launch creative and inclusive initiatives which have a positive impact on the wider community.
Funding for the OLs is available as a lump sum with each University having access to 80,000 EUR. Lump sum management does not require detailed recording in relation to every expense made. Instead, you must, at the completion of your project, be able to provide a detailed narrative report demonstrating how the project has contributed to fulfilling the relevant CIVIS 2 objectives (the relevant objectives are listed below).
2. Rolling Call
CIVIS invites proposals for projects on a rolling basis. Applications can be submitted monthly, before the 30th of each month. Any submitted projects will then be reviewed at the end of the following month by a central committee made up of the Open Lab Chair, one member from Coordination, one member from Stream 1, and a member from the Service-Learning Expert Group and the Civic Engagement Expert Group (provided no conflict of interest exists).
If a project is above 10,000 EUR amount, then your application will be forwarded to the Steering Committee to seek their approval.
Open Labs may submit start-up projects of new or recently established Open Labs, or implementation projects of already established and structured Open Labs.
Funds can be used for transnational and local initiatives, but it is important that they are directed towards common objectives and illustrate a structured vision for the Open Labs. Open Labs will have to think from the outset of each initiative with a European, broad and potentially transnational outlook, includingthe expertise and perspective of at least 3 partner universities.
3. Eligibility
Projects may be submitted by:
OL Council MembersMembers of the CIVIC Engagement Expert GroupMembers of the Service-Learning Expert GroupAny CIVIS Community Member
Please note, the application form must be filled in by the OL Coordinator, even if the actual project lead is a different person.
4. Process to Apply for Funding
Step 1 – Identify Partners
Project groups must proactively identify each other as potential partners. If you are struggling to find partners to collaborate with, then the Project Lead should contact the Open Lab Coordinator in their own institution to have an initial conversation. The Open Lab Coordinator can then make a suggestion to bring the proposal to the Open Lab Council or to specific members in order to identify partners.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Application
Once you have identified your partners, you should begin the process of preparing your application using the application form. The application form covers:
Applicant InformationProject InformationTitlePartnersHub themeDescription of OL missionDescription of objectives of the project/activity – Please outline how your project will contribute to fulfilling the relevant CIVIS objectives (see below for more information)Project timelinesIntended participants/audienceLocationMobilitiesCIVIS added value to projectSocial impact of projectBudgetAny celebratory events or other outputsDissemination of results
You will also need to complete and upload:
The budget spreadsheet which can be downloaded from the CIVIS box here
Step 3 – Submit Your Application
Following this, you should submit your application using the form provided. Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed by a panel consisting of the Open Lab Chair, one member from Coordination, one member from Stream 1, and a member from the Service-Learning Expert Group and the Civic Engagement Expert Group.
This panel will look at your proposal and provide feedback on the overall application and specifically on how the project relates to the goals of CIVIS 2. Panel feedback will be provided within 3 weeks. If your project is above 10,000 EUR amount, then your application will be forwarded to the Steering Committee to seek their approval.
Step 4 – During Your Project to Completion
While the lump sum management structure of the Open Labs funding does not require a detailed description in relation to every expense made, you must, at the completion of your project, be able to provide a detailed narrative report and demonstrate how the project has contributed to fulfilling the relevant CIVIS 2 objectives (see below).
4. Overview of CIVIS Goals and Aims Relevant to Open Lab Funded Projects
The Stream 1 tasks and objectives from the CIVIS2 project application are relevant for Open Labs funded projects and should be considered in order to help set the direction and outcomes of projects. Not all Stream 1 tasks and objectives are as relevant and so the below outlines the particular objectives, tasks, and milestones that should be included in the development of projects.
Relevant Stream 1 Tasks
The most relevant tasks, objectives, and milestones for the Open Labs come from work package 2, civic engagement and challenge-based education strategy, and work package 4, local to global civic engagement projects. The below provides a detailed breakdown of how these work packages should be achieved. Items highlighted in bold in the tables below are to be given more attention.
Work Package 2 – Civic engagement and challenge-based education strategy
Objective
Task
Description
Milestone
Develop CIVIS 2 civic engagement and challenge-based education strategy.
Build bridges between the academic world and the local social, economic, political, and cultural stakeholders.
Set up and share tools to tackle societal challenges creating new opportunities.
Establish knowledge co-creating teams involving the universities with local and global partner.
Facilitate the involvement of global and local associated partners in the challenge-based agenda.
To update the CIVIS strategy and agenda.
Consolidate the shared frameworks of Open Labs based on existing formats.
Tools and processes for Hubs and Open Labs.
To encourage deeper operational and thematic links between Hubs and Open Labs.
Consolidate the shared framework of Open Labs based on the existing formats.
Articulate Hub and Open Lab strategies around shared societal challenges involving stakeholders.
Develop processes through which educational offerings developed through the Hubs can better incorporate stakeholder involvement stimulated by Open Labs.
Plan the development of the working environment of the Local Open Labs and develop their influence in their respective territories.
Propose products, processes and policies drawn from the Open Labs’ intersectoral knowledge.
Deepen intersectoral networks.
Work Package 4 – Local to global civic engagement projects
Objective
Task
Description
Milestone
Boost civic engagement through Open Labs projects.
Enrich beneficial interactions between communities on our respective campuses as well as societal stakeholders to encourage them to meet, exchange, collaborate and co-create.
- Develop service learning and internship through challenge-based projects with societal stakeholders.
- List of Civic Engagement projects
- Product, processes, and policy recommendations from OL
- Identification of Citizen Science Projects
- International projects focusing on challenges identified by the international associated partners.
- Substantially boost our civic engagement, notably through our Open Labs agenda in collaboration with the Hubs.
- Program a schedule of new Open Lab projects fostering greater interactions with stakeholders.
- Support concrete civic projects identified following internal calls for proposals.
- Share expertise and best practices among Open Labs and associated partners.
- Support the organization of Transnational Open Labs involving several Local ones.
- Host Intersectoral and Transnational Open Labs tackling societal challenges.
- Support Citizen Science projects.
- Identification of citizen-science projects involving citizens & stakeholders via events.