2024-25 Call to the Hellenic Observatory Research Calls Programme

Proposals are to be submitted electronically in Word format to Hellenicobservatory.Research@lse.ac.uk 

Proposals should not be longer than 2,500 words (Calibri font, size 11, justified alignment, 2cm margins, single spaced). Proposals have to address the five evaluation criteria laid out in the Selection Process below and to be structured under the following sub-headings:

• Summary: project title, name of the Principle Investigator (and other lead researchers together with a structure of the team and the allocation of tasks across its members), start and end dates, total budget figure
• Research objectives and project outline (including literature review)
• Methodology
• Time-Line
• Planned Publications (other than the Policy Brief and the Research Paper- see Deliverables below): format, content, publisher, date of submission
• Impact
• Annex 1: Personnel (including short biographies). Full CV’s should be attached as separate documents together with a listing of cited references.
• Annex 2: Detailed Budget - see Budget below. Please complete the Excel budget template provided.

The budget must provide a clear justification for all identified costs. Eligible costs include salaries, travel, research assistance, impact and knowledge exchange activities, and publications, provided that these can be reasonably considered essential to the proposed research.

Overhead costs of up to 15% of the total budget are permitted and must be included within the submitted budget.

The Selection Committee reserves the right to request further clarification on budget items and may award a smaller amount than that requested or advertised. Funds awarded must be used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the application.

Proposals will be selected by the Hellenic Observatory - Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cypris and members of the Research Advisory Group according to the following criteria:

• Originality, significance, rigour and impact of the research
• Evidence that the individuals involved have the capacity to execute the proposed project and deliver on stated outcomes
• Contribution towards policy-relevant challenges facing Greece 
• Value for money
• Compatibility of the research with the broader work of the Hellenic Observatory

The Hellenic Observatory – Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece & Cyprus and the Research Advisory Group are solely responsible for approving the eligibility of applications and reserve the right to request additional information from applicants. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in a video interview.

 In all cases, the decisions of the Hellenic Observatory and the Research Advisory Group will be final. The Centre and the Research Advisory Group also reserve the right not to make any awards or to adjust the number of awards granted.

The successful researcher or research team is required to provide the following:

• Progress Report: A progress report of up to 2,000 words, submitted halfway through the project, following the provided template – please see the documents section.
• Policy Brief: A policy brief of 2,000 words, submitted at the conclusion of the project, following the provided template – please see the documents section.
• Final Research Paper: A final research paper to be submitted within three months of the project’s completion.
• Other Publications: Scholarly publications and publications in other outlets arising from the research project. These will constitute a significant criterion in the evaluation of submitted applications.
• Dissemination Activities: While not required, dissemination activities are encouraged, particularly through the Hellenic Observatory’s channels, including research seminar series, blog, and events programme.

The researcher or research team is obliged to give full acknowledgement to the Centre in all publicity and outputs related to the project. Copies of such outputs should be sent to the Hellenic Observatory – Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece & Cyprus. The Centre reserves the right to publicise a summary of the results, with full acknowledgement of the authors, on its website and through its other publicity channels.

The funds will be paid following the signature of a Research Grant Agreement between LSE and the institution(s) of the Principal Investigator(s) of the successful research projects. This Agreement will incorporate the programme of work proposed at the application stage. It will be drawn up upon notification of the successful candidates and must be signed prior to the commencement of the research project.

Projects are expected to start in January 2024 and no later than 1 March 2024. Payments will be made to an institutional research account at the Principal Investigator’s host institution.

Funds will be transferred in two equal instalments: the first upon commencement of the project, and the second upon completion of the defined outputs to the satisfaction of the Hellenic Observatory - Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece & Cyprus.

Application Deadline: TBC

Successful Projects advised: TBC

Contracts drawn up: TBC

Project Commencement: TBC

Proposals should be submitted electronically in Word format to Hellenicobservatory.research@lse.ac.uk by TBC 2025 (23.59 GMT) and the subject line of the email should read “HO Call 2025”. All applicants will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of their proposal. 

All enquiries should be directed by email to Hellenicobservatory.research@lse.ac.uk.

Budget template: TBC

Progress Report template: TBC

Policy Brief Template: TBC