FAPESP SPRINT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Who are FAPESP?

FAPESP are the publicly funded research foundation in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. They are responsible for supporting research projects in higher education and research institutions in all fields of knowledge. FAPESP support foreign scientists willing to work in research institutions in the state of São Paulo, Brazil via a number of programs including SPRINT.

  1. What is the purpose of the SPRINT program?

The purpose of the SPRINT program is to encourage and promote the advancement of scientific research through collaboration between researchers affiliated with research institutions in the State of São Paulo and researcher partners internationally.

It aims to provide funding for the initial phase of international research collaborations with clear expectations that the next phase will be a presentation, by the researchers from the State of São Paulo, of research proposals in the regular funding lines of FAPESP aiming to continue the research started under SPRINT and the consequently consolidation of the partnership.

From the initial funding ("seed funding"), the sustainability of new collaborations is expected.

  1. What does the scheme fund?

The grant can only be used for the exchange of researchers, including visits for research planning, international workshops, and initial activities of data collection. The intent of the exchange activities shouldbe focussed oncontinuing research collaboration and consolidation.

Australian funding will cover costs of:

  • Return economy airfares;
  • Per diem expenses up to AUD 200 per day per person to a maximum of AUD 3,000 per month;
  • Maximum funding of AUD 20,000.

FAPESP will fund the costs for the Brazilian applicant from the State of São Paulovisit to carry out scientific missions during visits to partner institutions in Australia.

  1. What is excluded from project funding?

Basic research costs (staff and equipment) on both sides of the research project will not be funded from this scheme, but must be secured from other sources. Participant salary and associated costs will not be covered. Proposals based purely on study and training will not be funded.

  1. What are the expected results of the SPRINT program?

It is expected that as a result of each project supported under the Program SPRINT, fruitful partnerships are developed and it is hoped that such partnerships are consolidated achieving significant results as:

a. Scientific Publications;

b. Visibility and impact of science produced in the state of São Paulo and partner countries;

c. Strengthening links between the scientific communities of the State of São Paulo and partner countries;

d. Qualification of research by connecting the top scientists at an international level;

e. Fostering new forms of collaboration between research centers of excellence for mutual benefit;

f. Institutional exchange of experience;

g. Submission of a joint proposal to develop a full research project being funded by FAPESP and by a funding agency for research in the partner country.

  1. Can PhD students submit their own applications?

No. PhD students cannot submit their own applications, however, they may be involved in exchange activities if they are listed in the project team with an academic staff member as the lead applicant or Principal Investigator (PI).

  1. Do I need to have an existing relationship with a Brazilian research in order to apply?

Not necessarily, however, applications must be developed jointly by the Australian and Brazilian partners, so cooperation during the application process is essential.

On the FAPESP side, the Brazilian research partner must be in receipt of a FAPESP grant listed on item 3.1. on the FAPESP website (). The ongoing project at FAPESP must to have at least 6 months to be implemented at the same time as the mobility proposal. Both projects needs to be thematically correlated.

  1. Do I need to submit a copy of the application to FAPESP?

No. The Australian partner needs to submit the application to the contact listed (LINK) at their university’s Research Office. The Brazilian collaborator must submit an identical copy of the proposal to FAPESP.

The research proposal component of the application, as detailed in item 6.3 (LINK), must be identical in content in both the Australian and Brazilian submissions; one being a copy of another.

  1. How will the ATN and FAPESP assess applications?

ATN Universities will assess their applications based on:

  • The project merit and relevance;
  • The CVs of the Australian researchers
  • The proposed project capacity to leverage further research funding; and
  • The strategic research aims of the ATN University.

FAPESP will assess applications based on:

  • The project merit and relevance;
  • The CVs of both proponents (Australian and Brazilian)
  • The relation of the proposed project to the ongoing project funded by FAPESP;
  • The proposed project capacity to leverage further research funding; and
  • The strategic research aims of the Partner Institution.

Only applications approved by both FAPESP and the ATN university will be funded.

  1. What if I miss the deadline for submission?

FAPESP operate a number of calls for SPRINT proposals during the year. Should you miss the submission deadline, please observe the 2016 schedule for future opportunities to submit your proposal.

SPRINT EDITION / Call - Public Announcement / Deadline for submissions / Results – Public Announcement
Sprint 01/2016 / 02/02/16 / 25/04/16 / 22/07/16
Sprint 02/2016 / 26/04/16 / 25/07/16 / 27/10/16
Sprint 03/2016 / 26/07/16 / 31/10/16 / 27/01/17
Sprint 04/2016 / 25/10/16 / 30/01/17 / 22/04/17
  1. Can I apply for an extension on my grant?

No. The maximum duration of each project is 24 months, non-extendable.Any other variations to funded projects such as a change in the term of the project or the eligibility of researchers must be approved by the ATN institution that submitted the application for the project, by the ATN Directorate and by FAPESP.