FAQ
Did you miss the TETTRIs webinar on the 11th of July, no problem! You can find the recording of the webinar here.
An additional webinar on the call for 3PPs took place on September 6th, you can find the recording of the webinar here
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Applicants
Who can apply to 3PPs?
Any kind of entities (institutions, associations or consortia) that are involved in research, education, conservation or innovation in taxonomy and other biodiversity-related topics. The entities need to be of any type of legal persons (e.g., museums, collections, research institutes, universities, SMEs, NGOs, public entities, etc.). Find out more in Application guidelines for the proposals for the Call for 3PP.
If I am not a European organisation, can I still submit a proposal?
Countries associated with Horizon Europe valid by the date of the call announcement (30th of June 2023) are eligible to apply.
Can an individual submit a proposal?
No. Applications need to be submitted by a legal person (an entity, not an individual) that may act on its own behalf or as a representative of a consortium of partners
If the applicant is a group of partners, does it have to be a legal person itself?
Not necessarily. The partnership can be gathered by means of an agreement , a memorandum of understanding or any other means that supports the constitution of a consortium of partners specifically for the purpose of the submission of the application for 3PP
Any type of legal persons (e.g., museums, collections, research institutes, universities, SMEs, NGOs, public entities, etc.) are eligible without restriction or constraints as the main applicant or as a partner of an applicant consortium.
Can a legal entity submit a proposal as a single applicant?
Yes, as long as it complies with the specific conditions of the topics, single applicants are eligible.
Can CETAF member institutions apply for 3PPs?
Yes, provided they are not direct beneficiaries of the TETTRIs project (i.e any of the 14 partners to the TETTRIs Consortium Agreement).
Is there any optimal partner number? For instance, are consortia of 3-4 partners more likely to succeed in getting the funding as single proposers?
Collaboration is generally encouraged for 3PPs to gather the expertise and resources needed for an effective and efficient implementation, but not essential if a single applicant has all the expertise and resources required. However, specific topics may require a minimum number of partners (see Annex corresponding to the Topic to be addressed).
Can there be 2 Principal Investigators in the application for a project?
Yes, you may indicate two Principal Investigators in your application.
Are beneficiaries in the TETTRIs project eligible for funding?
TETTRIs beneficiaries are not eligible for this call. Therefore any beneficiary cannot be a partner and must not receive any funding from the Third Party Project.
The same institution can be involved in more than one application?
As long as the institution is eligible you can submit multiple proposals across different topics.
Geographical Scope
What is the geographical scope for implementation of the 3PPs?
Projects need to be implemented in Europe. The specific area might be related to an existing local node, biodiversity hot-spots, protected areas or any taxonomy knowledge centre.
On the other hand, partners may be located in any of the eligible countries mentioned in Q1 above. More information can be found in Section 1.2 Eligible countries and territorial focus of implementation of the Application guidelines for the proposals for the Call for 3PP.
How are the biodiversity hot-spots defined?
To qualify as a Biodiversity Hotspot an area must meet two strict criteria:
Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth (known as “endemic” species).
Have lost at least 70 percent of its primary native vegetation.
Collections and species housed in European institutions but which were collected outside Europe in this case in Africa are eligible for the cascading call?
They are collections housed in Belgium and officially property of the Belgian State and considered as reference collections. Yes, they are eligible because they are hosted in Europe.
What nature sites can be monitored? / On which sites can monitoring take place for the proposal to be eligible?
Eligible proposals will be linked to biodiversity hotspots or protected areas. [Biodiversity Hotspots: out of the 36 Hotspots identified in the world, in Europe, only the Mediterranean Basin is considered. However, European overseas territories are to be also included (provided they integrate some of those defined hotspots). Protected areas include the Nature 2000 sites and nationally designated protected areas (CDDA)].
Topics to be adressed
Is it possible to apply for more than one topic?
No within the same proposal. Each proposal shall identify the Topic it will address, as a major theme. However, other topics may laterally be concerned though not as a principal but at a secondary level.
Should an applicant (or consortium) wish to apply for activities that concern two or more topics, several applications, each targeting one different topic, should be submitted..
Is it possible to cover more than one topic in one proposal?
The proposal shall select 1 single topic as a priority / major action, though laterally (at a secondary level) other topics might all integrate the same proposal (there is I question under FAQs that specifically addresses this matter)
Is tettris open for applications focusing on marine taxa and marine environments?
The marine focus does not comply with the taxonomic restrictions of the topics 1, 3, 4, 5 (unless marine plants/algae) and 6. Topic 7 on citizen science could have a marine focus.
TETTRIs Consultants
Who are the TETTRIs consultants?
“TETTRIs consultants” are experts, specialists or trainers from the TETTRIs project who will be actively involved in 3PPs activities as stakeholders, to get advice and guidance for implementing the test and validation of the tools and mechanisms described under the different Topics. To ensure a collaborative approach in 3PP, they may work very closely with you in the implementation of the 3PP. The specific involvement of TETTRIs consultants is further explained in the Topics
Is it compulsory to collaborate with a TETTRIs consultant?
Yes. The collaborative approach of 3PPs is two-folded. On one hand, all 3PPs are intended for channelling and transferring knowledge and expertise from scientists to other actors working in the field, i.e you, and therefore the exchange of insights and approaches is extremely important. On the other hand, the 3PPs need to test and validate one or more of the TETTRIs expected outcomes and therefore you may need to get direct advice and guidance from the TETTRIs partners as to perform the right validation of the process, tools or mechanisms that they have developed. Furthermore, the TETTRIs consultants will need the 3PP results to further enhance and improve their own outcomes
How can I contact the TETTRIs consultants to better identify their possible role in the project?
You may address your specific question to the 3PP Administrator by sending an email to administrator.tettris@catalyze-group.com. In your message you need to identify the Topic and the subject, task and/or scope of the work you would like to discuss with the TETTRIs consultant
How many TETTRIs consultants do we have to consider in our budget? For what kind of expenses?
The TETTRIs trainers could be 1 or 2. Nevertheless, if the future local trainers are more than 10 the TETTRIS trainers could be more accordingly.
How do we calculate the expenses for the TETTRIs consultant? How frequently do we have to meet our consultant, and in what way should those meetings be organized? We suppose that the consultant must visit us from time to time, but for how long and how frequently? E.g. for the project of 19 months, we envisaged four visits, each for two-three days in duration; would that be sufficient?
The meetings with the TETTRIs consultant should be organized in whichever way is most beneficial for the project (that means that the TETTRIs Consultant can come to you or vice versa). The number of visits that are planned strongly depend on the amount of specimens to be analyzed and the amount of work that can be performed in-house by the 3PP applicant. For example, if no lab facilities are currently available for the applicant, all molecular work needs to be performed in the lab of the TETTRIs consultant, which could easily take a few weeks depending on the number of specimens to be analyzed (e.g. 1-2 weeks for DNA extractions, 1-2 weeks for PCR and marker development, 1-2 weeks for sequencing and 1-2 weeks for data analysis). If the TETTRIs Consultant is foreseen to be deployed you will need to cover their travel expenses and per-diems, but not salaries. As stated in the FAQ, applicants should specify a flat fee of €100 per specimen they want to analyze.
Eligibility Criteria
Member States of the European Union, including their outermost region described in Annex B of General Annexes of Horizon Europe Programme valid by the date of the call announcement (30th June 2023).
Countries associated with Horizon Europe. Please see the Horizon Europe List of Participating Countries on the Portal information on the current list and on the position for Associated Countries valid by the date of the call announcement (30th June 2023).
Specific eligibility limitations for Hungary are set out by the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506 of 15 December 2022 on measures for the protection of the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary.
You may find this information in Section 1.2 Eligible countries and territorial focus of implementation of the Application guidelines for the proposals for the Call for 3PP.
The general eligibility criteria is covered under the Application guidelines for the proposals for the Call for 3PP. Additionally, specific conditions apply under each Topic. You may find those conditions under each Topic document.
Is Interdisciplinarity an evaluation criterion? Does this mean inclusion of many different institutions or can this be reached within an institution?
Interdisciplinarity is not an evaluation criteria per se. The Different departments of the same institution are not considered different partners since they all would fall under the same single legal entity.
As an organisation based in the UK are we eligible to apply?
Entities within the UK are not eligible for the funding in the call for 3PPs.
Are non-european institutions eligible to apply for this grant?
Non-European institutions from countries listed on the Horizon Europe List of Participating Countries are eligible to apply, however the proposals need be linked to European biodiversity hotspots or European protected areas.
Financial Aspects
What are the budget limitations per project?
Proposals’ budgets may span from 50.000 to 200.000 EUROS.
Will the project budget cover office space?
Overhead costs (incl. rent, water, electricity, internet access, cleaning services, etc) are non-eligible under the proposal’s budget. It is expected that the applicant will provide the necessary working space and adequate working conditions to carry out the project.
Which kind of costs are eligible?
All costs necessary for effective implementation of the project, including Personnel costs of the partners’ staff involved, travel and subsistence expenses, and all other costs that are instrumental.
Additionally to the Applicant(s)-related costs, the proposal needs to include those travel as well as subsistence expenses (per diem allowances) that are incurred by the consultants in guiding, training and/or collaborating with the partners of the project. No other costs for consultants (such as personnel costs) are eligible.
More information can be found in Section 1.4 3PP Budget within the Application guidelines for the proposals for the Call for 3PP.
Are salaries of administrative staff (e.g., financial manager, accountant, project manager) eligible costs?
Yes, but justification is needed. This component will fall under the cost-effectiveness of the overall project that will be evaluated
Can basic administrative costs of the partner institution be included?
No, overheads are not eligible
Is the rent of a laboratory an eligible cost?
No. Overheads are not eligibleYes, as long as it is external to the partners (i.e. it does not form part of any of the partners facilities) and it is necessary for the implementation of the project
Is it possible to justify “Workshop coordination” as a service from one partner? e.g. University emits an invoice for the whole service to the main applicants?
This cost has to be included as a service as there will be an Invoice.
How do we justify the overall project coordination ? Since the main applicant will not emit an invoice to himself. Only as a means of salaries?
If the coordination is to be held by an external to the applicants (ie. University central secretary) this is a service which cost will be justified with an Invoice. In case the Coordination is to be carried out by a staff member of any of the applicants (internal to the project), the justification will be with the time dedicated to that task based on the salaries of the people involved.
Is rental of the patner’s conference rooms considered or not as an overhead?
No it is not an overhead, this cost can be included under Equipment, rental and material costs.
Payment is 30% at the beginning, 50% after a first report and 20% after approval of the last report. Meaning we need to advance 25.000-30.000 euros at the end of the project. Can we include as a service the bank credit cost?
The payment schedule is fixed as stated per the Call. Bank interests are not considered as eligible costs. Exceptional cases may be treated individually when the agreement is signed with the applicant if duly justified.
Can we include hardware purchases?
Yes this can be covered, but all the costs must be from a financial perspective and must be needed to achieve the specific target of the project.
Timeframe
When will the selected projects be announced?
The announcement of the Grant recipients will take place in December 2023. For more information on the timeline please see the Section 1.3 3PP Timeline within the Application guidelines for the proposals for the Call for 3PP.
Is there a limit on the duration of the project’s life?
Projects may have a duration between 6 and 22 months. All projects must be implemented between the 1st of January 2024 and the 31st of October 2025.
Do I have to start the project at any certain time?
No. The work plan that the Proposal needs to include will indicate the planned start date and the expected end date. The earliest date for starting is January 2024 and the latest date for completion is October 2025.
Are project extensions envisaged?
No-cost extensions can be considered on a case-by-case basis upon valid justification as long as the totality of the project is implemented between the 1st of January 2024 and the 31st of October 2025.
Submission Process
Can I submit my application in a language other than English?
No, all proposals must be submitted in English. No other languages are accepted.
Will the information provided at proposal stage through the Ethical Issue Table and Gender & Diversity Grid be considered definitive?
The Ethics and Gender & Diversity tables are in place to align to the requirements of the Horizon Europe Programme. The completion and submission of these tables is compulsory for completing the submission of the proposal. However, their content will not be part of the proposal evaluation. Should changes or additional information be required, it will be requested at a later stage during the assessment period.
In the web form, the budget is sorted by collaborator. Does this mean each part will be paid to each entity separately?
The budget will be transferred to the main applicant and will be distributed by the main application to the partners
Where and how do we present the required timeline Gantt Chart? (is there an upload link in the form?)
In the online submission there is the option to upload any additional documents near the end, this can be used to upload the Gantt Chart.
Contact
How can I submit a specific question regarding this Call for Proposals?
You may address any question regarding this Call for Proposals to administrator.tettris@catalyze-group.com. Answers to all questions received will be published under the TETTRIs website.
Topic-Related Questions
Topic 1
Must we include 6 important pollinator collections?
Yes, the species indexes must be collected from at least six collections, generally intended as taxonomic groupings of specimens (e.g., either a family, a tribe or genus). Three of them can be indexed at a “basic” level only (presence/absence of the included species, rough estimation of specimen number and presence of type material), while the other three are expected to be further explored in order to provide general information on the geographic distribution of the specimens and their sex. These collections should be important with regard to the aim of the call, i.e., the focus should be on groups that include species linked to hotspots or protected areas. They can be subcollections, i.e., smaller parts of larger collections. They can represent the same or different pollinator groups. We encourage forming consortia and applying together with other collection holding institutions to be able to cover several collections. The higher the heterogeneity among the selected (sub)collections (in terms of organisation type, ownership, accessibility, taxonomic or geographic distribution, current degree of digitization etc.), the higher will be the chances of scoring well in the evaluation process.
Could we use a web platform previously developed for TETTRIS or DiSSCo, to include the index? Or, the project should include its development?
No, the proposal does not include the development of a platform, the indexes will then be shared in an already operational infrastructure by the TETTRIs’ team or under its guide. Since the TETTRIs WP1 team is going to collect all the information through a survey tool, that tool will be provided to index the species within the 3PP projects.
How and when could we have access to AI tool/s?
Under Topic 1 we’ve mentioned AI tools in terms of something that the candidates themselves could present as an additional element to get funded; the candidates can propose to test tools they have or new tools they think could be appropriate to address the objective.
What are the tools we must validate in Topic 1?
Whether the candidates refer to the tool to gather the species indexes or the AI identification tool we mentioned in Topic 1 (e.g., for identification applied to images of drawers, accession books, inventories etc.), it is up to the candidates to choose which tool is the more suitable to be used and than to describe the protocol they used. It is expected that the “validation” (i.e., the discussion around the suitability of the method) will be strongly supported by a scientific approach.
The “survey tool” TETTRIs is going to facilitate us is the only tool we must validate? We mean, developed by TETTRIs. (Note that when we talked about validation of tools (using must), we mean always developed and/or facilitated by TETTRis). We would like to know all tools TETTRIs requires that we validate (if some) during the project.
When referring to data gathering, it’s important to distinguish between “procedure” and “tool”. The first one refers to the way the information is gathered, the second one the “software/app” used to upload this information.
The only tool provided by the TETTRIs team is the “survey tool” that is intended as the software/application that will be used to migrate the gathered information into a “single place”, in order to allow a unique data management at the end of the project.
The 3PPs has to “validate” (i.e., describe and discuss) their procedure, i.e., the methods/workflow they will have used to get the digital species index of the target collections. For instance, since they have to work on 6 collections/subcollections, they might have had an approach to each one (the choice being up to the candidate) and are requested to describe how they proceeded and provide evidence that their choice is preferable in respect to others. Such an approach could include any specific tools chosen by the candidate (e.g., AI tools used to speed up the workflow); these will need an accurate description and discussion too, based on a scientific approach, on their advantages or disadvantages for the scope.
Are we going to have access to the updated checklists TETTRIs consultant will provide before the deadline? If yes, when?; If not, can we know if it is a closed lists of species? We mean, could we include names on the list?
No, the checklists will be available later, after the deadline of the call. The checklists are closed, they will be built on the backbone of Catalogue of Life, so they will include all the available species names (either accepted or not, legitimate or not) but it will be possible for 3PPs to indicate some other names, if any, in a separate box in the survey form.
What will be the tools provided by TOPIC1 TETTRIs consultants?
We will provide a very easy way to collect all the information about the digital species index lists in a single “place” it will be figured as a google form where the candidates will merely select/unselect names from a checklist.
If we have specimens from broader regions, can we put these specimens in the index or only the ones that correspond to the Mediterranean hotspot?
No, we are asking for a digital species index list, which means that we are interested in the list of species within the targeted collection/subcollection. For a number of the requested lists (at least 3), the candidate will also provide further information about the number of specimens, types, geographic origin
In the first webinar I understood that the idea was to create a new Database similar to the one offered by Academia Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Am I right? But I didn’t understand if we have to include a sketch in the proposal or if TETTRIs will create it for us?
TETTRIs consultants will provide the same tool that will be used to collect similar information within the TETTRIs project activity itself. This will ensure that these data will be freely accessible online within the end of the project, despite each collection manager being free to publish its own species lists before, through the communication channels he/she prefers.
When we start counting the specimens of species included in the Red List Categories search we started to hesitate. Papilionoidea, Syrphidae, Bees; It’s better to focus in a Genus and to include all species? Or to focus only on species in RLC and to study several families? Some species are críptic or easy to misidentify.
We expect that a sub-collection is a sub-group of specimens as defined by taxonomic border (a family, a genus etc.), but a geographical/historical criterium could be accepted in case, e.g., tha main collection is organized by origin or age of its specimens.
It’s true, some species are easy to misidentify, but one of the reasons why we are going to gather as much information as possible at species level is to put in evidence the nominal lack of samplings in cryptic species too.
Instead, we are interested in documenting the representativeness of European collections by reference to the whole biodiversity in them, i.e., in respect to the complete European species checklists for a given taxonomic group. This means that a list of selected species (such as those included in a Red List) cannot serve as reference. You can focus on a restricted group of the collection (subcollections), such as tribes or genera. For example, if you have a rich Papillionoidea collection you can focus on the subgroup that you think could be more relevant (e.g., a family or a genus complete of all the European species, or a family or a genus complete of all the species from a specific hotspot in the European area
If we focus on Red List species that are widely distributed around Europe and we have specimens from the different regions, do we have to include all specimens or only the ones that corresponds to the Mediterranean hotspot?
You have to include the complete list of species not specimens. Your list can be either referred to a specific hotspot or to a wider geographic range, since it is assumed that it will serve as a reference benchmark for the concerned taxa, wherever they come from. Instead, the species checklist we will provide as a reference will be a complete one, with no limitation (e.g., not only the species included in a Red List).
Topic 2
Are projects that are working on improved linking of the data to taxonomic backbone service would also be allowed to work on the data themselves (for example by revising a local checklist of cleaning collection data)? Is it possible to fund such activities in the context of a topic 2 project?
Yes, this is possible.
Is Topic 2 restricted to certain taxonomic groups?
No, projects can refer to any taxonomic group.
Topic 3
Are there possibilities in TETTRIs, for pushing the development of AI-based image recognition projects targeting taxonomic groups other than terrestrial molluscs? From the call topics, it is unclear to me.
No, the proposal needs to focus on terrestrial molluscs.
Topic 4
Topic 5
What budget should I specify for the molecular analysis?
To ensure accurate cost estimates for the predetermined molecular analyses, it is necessary to possess extensive knowledge and a well-defined work plan regarding the methods to be employed. We understand that many applicants may not have the required expertise to estimate these expenses, and it is crucial for TETTRIs to share this knowledge with the applicants as part of the proposed 3PP projects. Consequently, we recommend that applicants include a fixed amount of €100 per analysed specimen in the project budget. However, for applicants who can provide a comprehensive work plan outlining the intended molecular analyses, including details such as library preparation, sequencing platform, and expected output, we request a detailed cost estimate. If the estimated cost per specimen does not exceed the predetermined amount of €100/specimen, the cost of molecular analyses will not be a decisive factor in the selection of applications. These estimated costs should be listed under the “Other goods and services” category in the project budget.
Collecting specimens in the hotspots in most cases requires meeting Nagoya Protocol requirements and thus obtaining collection permits, which can take several months up to a year, or even more. Given that the earliest deadline of the project start point is January 2d, 2024, it might be one of the most challenging tasks of the project. Do you have a platform helping out to get the collecting permits? Or are you considering possible delays related to this issue?
2nd of January 2024 is the earliest date for any 3PP to start, which means that it is not compulsory to start that same date. The ABS Clearing House provides information at national level on the permits required to access GRs.
Extensions could be considered provided the final time frame of the 3PP does not exceed 31st October 2025 (which is by default the latest date for all 3PPs finalization)
Is only work on specific species complexes eligible or is development of universal tools for improved assessing species and detecting biodiversity also welcome (with validation planned on a specific biodiversity hotspot case study)?
Because the 3PP projects are collaborative projects, we are definitely open for proposals that also want to test and implement complementary and potentially more universal tools. Ideally, these proposed tools could be compared with those developed within TETTRIs. However, to be eligible for Topic 5, be sure that the proposed tools should fit perfectly within the aims of this topic i.e. development and use of multilocus genetic markers that improve species identification and, hence, excludes barcoding and other single locus methods.
Is the mediterranean area of Israel fall under the EU landscape focus?
Yes. However, as stated during the webinar, we particularly welcome proposals that have a broad taxonomic or geographic impact. We would therefore encourage to clearly specify in the proposal how developments for a particular region or taxonomic group have a broader relevance and impact and that extends beyond the focal region (e.g. entire mediterranean rather than restricted Israelian area of the mediterranean) or tested set of species (all species within the complex within a large biodiversity hotspot or european protected areas).
Could a single project focus on several species complexes from different phyla? Or that it has to be focused on one particular group?
It would be perfect to include different groups within a single proposal. However, be aware that the projects only take two years. If multiple marker sets need to be developed for each group separately, ensure that the project remains feasible in terms of time and budget.
Does Topic 5 cover only plants and insects or also challenging complexes in other groups (fish, crustaceans, etc.)?
We prefer to restrict the taxonomic groups of Topic 5 to plants and insects. The choice for these groups reflects the taxonomic expertise of the TETTRIs consultants, being botanists and entomologists. Although highly relevant proposals including taxa that are not insects but generally regarded as entomological (some terrestrial arthropods like arachnids) could be funded, proposals on vertebrates or crustaceans will be considered not eligible.
How do the specimens have to be stored? We have a set of specimens in EtOH at -20 (also already DNA), this is all right for “”standard”” sequencing, but for genomics we would have to have -40 specimens? How many specimens per species would be required? May the lab equipment be included in the costs – e.g. portable sequencers, blue pippin
For most organisms, storage at -20 is ideal for both genetic and genomic analyses. The number of required specimens per species that allows to make sound taxonomic inferences strongly depends on the (geographic) variation and is difficult to foresee in advance. We therefore recommend to state in the proposal the approximate number of specimens that is available and (if necessary) if additional specimens can be collected.
Lab equipment can be included, but only if it can be duly justified that it is strictly required for the execution of the project
Is it necessary to do fieldwork or we can focus on processing samples that are already in the museum collection? For example develop extractions protocol for hDNA
If you have samples and even DNA extract available that would be perfect to start the work. So indeed no fieldwork necessary
Is there a predetermined set of markers that need to be included (if so, which specifically?) or may we choose the preferred markers for our taxa according to already available data (from literature or based on our own data)? If we choose the markers ourselves, how many markers should be included in this set? Is it allowed to have standard COI barcoding marker as part of this set?
There is no predetermined set of markers and applicants may specify their preferred set of markers. However, the applicant should clearly specify what kind of optimization and expertise from the TETTRIs consultant is required to obtain sequence information from these markers. Including the standard COI marker is evidently allowed (and even recommended for comparison with existing data).
Are there predefined TETTRIs protocols for this purpose for particular applications (e.g. library preparation for ddRAD sequencing)? If so, where do we find them? How is the collaboration with TETTRIs beneficiaries envisaged regarding this?
Although protocols for (dd)RADseq are available with TETTRIs, they should not be included in the application (actually no molecular protocols need to be provided for the application as these will be decided upon during the execution of the project). Most important is to specify why and if (dd)RADseq would be required or recommended to decipher the species complexes under study.
Topic 6
Is there a list of the hotspots, or can any area be included?
Biodiversity Hotspots: out of the 36 Hotspots identified in the world, in Europe, only the Mediterranean Basin is considered. However, European overseas territories are to be also included (provided they integrate some of those defined hotspots). Protected areas include the Nature 2000 sites and nationally designated protected areas (CDDA)
Is internet access essential to follow the online part of the courses under Topic 6?
Yes, you should have internet access in order to follow the online part of the courses
Must Lab and field sampling equipment necessary for the training courses under Topic 6 be foreseen?
For implementing the training courses you will need some equipment, e.g. stereoscopes, magnifying lenses, thin pincers, petri dishes, nets, pitfall traps, sampling jars, alcohol, etc.
If not available in your institution, you should foresee their purchase and include the cost in the budget of your proposal (under Equipment).
Are the Courses under Topic 6 in English?
Yes. The courses are designed in English. If you consider essential for the implementation of the project to make a translation to your own language, this cost will have to be justified and then included in the budget of your proposal (under Other Goods and Services)
In some cases it is difficult to budget some items/methods. Can we include an estimate?
Yes, you can include an estimate. You can apply a flat fee and an indicative number (e.g. 100 EUR / specimen to be analysed) to certain items or tasks. The estimate must include its justification.
Should the budget for implementing the courses under Topic 6 be foreseen?
Yes. To implement a course, you should take the following into account:
The budget should include all the expenses you will incur in order to run the course.
All the expenses of the TETTRIs’ consultant(s) who will visit your institute and show to the future local trainers how to run the course should also be included in your budget.
Where can I find information about the developed “specific taxonomic training programs” to use?
The courses will be available and ready by the end of April. The projects of this topic will be able to start afterwards.
How to apply without knowing details of the specific courses to use by deadline: 30th September 2023 then?
There are specific descriptions in the application guidelines for now. The content will not be ready now until September. If there are specific questions during the project proposal write the question to administrator.tettris@catalyze-group.com
I couldn’t understand clearly if marine benthic taxonomy is a topic covered by this program. I noticed that most of the topics are related to the terrestrial biodiversity. Maybe the Topic 6 would fit us better?
The taxa were chosen according to the TETTRIs project, and there are pollinators, soil fauna and freshwater fauna, so I am afraid that marine benthic taxonomy is not eligible. If you use freshwater benthic taxonomy it will be ok.
The topic 6 involves developing training courses to our institution or accessing courses organised by other institutions?
You will need to implement and evaluate 1, 2 or 3 courses that will be developed by other institutions, partners in the TETTRIs project (T4.3). You will also have to cooperate with us to adjust the course in the local climate and geographical area
How must we collaborate to implement the TETTRIs’ training programs? Please, provide an example.
The TETTRIs team will develop 3 courses as mentioned in the call. We want you to implement 1, 2 or all of them and evaluate them. The courses will be online and face to face. For example, the course for the freshwater fauna will have both theory (online) and practice (face to face). As you know, the rivers, for example, in central or northern Europe are completely different from the ones in the south. The collaboration between us would be to enrich the content of the course with knowledge and techniques applicable to your geographical area and local demands.
How can in our proposal place activities to evaluate the taxonomic training of TETTRIs’ project?
We will provide you with a form for a needs assessment and another one with the evaluation we want you to do. Besides these two forms provided by us, if you have any other activities or tools to evaluate the course(s) and the taxonomic skills gained, they will be much welcome. Please have in mind that we (the TETTRIs team) will train only the people who are going to train the local stakeholders, i.e. the future local trainers. So, you could use such activities to evaluate the courses that your future local trainer(s) will use while training your local trainee
Does it mean that we have to further develop projects already organized by TETTRIs?
Yes. The courses will be developed by us, and you will have to implement and evaluate them. In terms of innovation, you could also enrich the given content and activities of the courses, with material relevant to your local conditions and demands.
Where can we find the list of TETTRIs’ trainers and specialists? The call Annex 6 page 3 reports that “specialists and trainers will be available from 1 September 2024”
You do not need that list to apply now. This list will be ready at the announcement of the results of the projects’ applications. It is still developing under the TETTRIS project. It should be ready after December 2023.
Must we identify the future local trainers?
Naming is optional at this phase though the proposal should identify the number of trainers involved and the reasoning to having them onboard (in terms of their profiles being required to develop and implement the project). Future trainers are reported in Annex 6 page 1 the same as those reported as “future local trainers” in Annex 6 page 3
Can we organize training activities on soil fauna different from those already scheduled by TETTRIs’ project?
Yes! This is how you will enrich the given content and activities of the course, according to your local conditions and demands. Please note, that the basic course will be the one developed by the TETTRIs team. You may include any addition to that, if you like.
Do we have to develop further subjects that are the objects of our proposal?
Not exactly. As stated under Topic 6 in the 3PPs call: “After completing the online and face-to-face training of future trainers, a course led by a future local trainer and with distant support from the TETTRIs trainer could be held within the project. It is necessary to adhere to the basic course specification and target group for which the new local trainer has been trained.” So, you could ENRICH the already existing course with new material and activities, but you should not change the topic, so that distant support from the TETTRIs trainer will be provided.
Do we need to arrange the in-person portion of your training at a location of our choice? If that’s the case, in order to accurately estimate the required budget, could you provide information on the number of trainers for whom we should account for accommodations, travel expenses, and meals?
The place will be chosen after cooperation between the TETTRIS consultants and the 3PP coordinator and future trainers. We suggest that the future local trainers be no more than 10, for better administration.
For this project we need to use a database proposed from TETTRIS or can we develop the platform we prefer? Our intention is to use a specific database (Taxonworks) since it also offers the opportunity to produce an interactive key for identification (very useful for the development of Citizen Science approach).
No, the proposal does not include the development of a platform, the indexes will then be shared in an already operational infrastructure by the TETTRIs’ team or under its guide. Since the TETTRIs WP1 team is going to collect all the information through a survey tool, that tool will be provided to index the species within the 3PP projects. However, if the candidate wants to use a specific tool that will bring innovation to the protocol and that can be applied to some innovative aspect of the project (eg. Citizen science approach) surely he can do it.
How many courses can be organized by the future local trainers? How many days each of the courses can last? Do the future local trainers that will keep part of your training must employers of the university/research group/museum or can be experts not connected with an organization? In the form where these people must be identified?
The courses will be blended, meaning that they will have an online part, with theory, worksheets, online activities, self-evaluation practices, etc. and a face-to-face part with field and lab exercises.
The online part will be available for 1 or 2 months for each trainee to attend synchronously, while the face-to-face part will be no more than 5 working days. You could arrange a course where many people could attend the online part, and organize them in several face-to-face groups, where each group could participate physically in max 5 working days. So, the answer to your question is “according to the number of trainees you are going to have”. For example, let’s say that you want to train 100 persons locally, where your Local Future Trainer is going to be the trainer. All 100 of them may attend the e-learning part of the training asynchronously, which lasts for 1 or 2 months. For the face to face, though, you will have to split the 100 persons into smaller groups of e.g. 10 people to have an efficient physical course. In this case you will need 10 groups of 10 persons each, so 10 weeks (almost 3 months) are needed for the face-to-face part. In the above example you would need in total at least 4 months duration for your local training (1 online and 3 face to face).
So, the amount of training is up to you, according to the timescale you will have and the number of people you would like to train locally. Please note that the local training will have to be after the training of the future trainers by TETTRIs consultants.
Topic 7
Can citizen science be a part of project proposals not in Topic 7?
Yes, we encourage you to use citizen science in all proposals, however if citizen science is the key focus of your project then Topic 7 is the topic for you.
What if our citizen science project is multi-disciplinary but covers taxonomy. Can we still apply for funding?
If you can demonstrate a significant impact on biodiversity conservation or monitoring as a main outcome of your project, you may apply for funding also with a multi-disciplinary project.
We would like to implement a citizen project on a new taxonomic group/region, but we already had a similar citizen science project on a different taxonomic group/region in the past, can we still apply for funding?
If you can show significant novelty in your findings, methodology or impact with the new project, you may apply for funding. Projects that are part of longer-term initiatives can generally apply, if they can clearly demonstrate the innovation or new need identified in their proposal.
If we would like to submit a proposal under topic 7, does our project need to cover the taxonomic groups listed in the other topics?
No, proposals submitted under topic 7 do not need to focus on any particular taxonomic groups. If they wish to include groups addressed in the other topics, they may however do so.
The title of the topic refers only to “monitoring biodiversity hotspots” whereas some sections of the Topic document refer more broadly to projects “near local biodiversity hotspots or protected areas” – therefore, we are wondering whether location in a biodiversity hotspot is a requirement for proposed projects. Or will projects outside of an identified hotspot but within European protected areas be considered?
Yes, European Protected Areas will be considered as stated in Annex 7 (Topic 7 Document) “Successful proposals should be citizen science projects generating taxonomic data or providing capacity building near local biodiversity hotspots or protected areas […]”.
