Application Instructions & FAQs (for participants)

Application instruction for EasyChair

To apply, please prepare the material as listed in the call in one pdf file and submit it via EasyChair (follow the instructions below).

We will only consider complete applications submitted via EasyChair.

Instruction for applying with EasyChair
  1. Open the EasyChair link provided in the call.
  2. If you have an EasyChair account, log in with your credentials. If not, you first have to register with EasyChair by clicking create an account. Follow the instructions.
  3. When you are logged-in, you will see the BIGSSS-CSS Summer School 2022 “Conference”-Page. Click enter as an author.
  4. Now, you are on the submission-page. Enter your correspondence address and author information.
  5. We use some of the following EasyChair fields and check boxes to record your project preferences (check the list of projects) and some other informationr
    • Title: The number and short title of the your first preference project (check the list of projects)
    • Keywords: A ranked list of the three projects you like to participate in.
    • Topics:  Click at least the three projects you would like to participate (same as ranked list).
    • Other information: Tick the other boxes to your wishes and circumstances.
    • Upload: Upload the required documents (check the Call for Participation) in one PDF file.
    • Submit
  6. Check: Check your inbox (after some minutes) to find a confirmation of your submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligibility

Who is eligible as a participant?

There are no strict criteria for eligibility. However, applicants should have finished at least their undergraduate studies (BA degree) and have a certain command of scientific work and an idea of scientific projects.

You should have some knowledge of and experience in either CSS methods or the research topic of the summer school.  You should be willing to learn a new method and/or engage with a new research topic. Some basic understanding of a programming language (R or python) will be of advantage for most projects though not a necessity.

We recommend to all applicants to describe their experience with and knowledge of the research topic and/or CSS methods as well as programming languages and statistical software.

Do I need to have a certain educational degree for being admitted?

No, not in general.

The main target group is, however, advanced MA-level and doctoral students. We also invite postdocs who want to engage in a new field of research or method to apply.

Application & selection procedure
How can I apply for the summer school?

You must apply online via the web-based tool EasyChair. You find instructions and required documents on our application page – click here.

I am interested in your doctoral/postdoc program. How do I apply?

Please note that we do not offer doctoral degree or postdoc programs. The research incubator project features a series of three summer schools. As a researcher, independent of your stage, you can apply for participation in the two-weeks summer school program.

Selection and admission procedure
How will the selection of participants be done?

In a first step, we select participants based on their general fit to the summer school. In this stage, participants are not finally tied to a project team. Experts will be involved in reviewing applications. These will likely (but not necessarily) be leaders of the projects, the applicant has selected in his or hers application. In a second step, the matching with the project is considered.

The final decision of acceptance will be done by the organizers.

How will the matching of project teams be done?

Once participants are selected, we will do a preliminary matching of participants and projects. We will inform you about your preliminary assigned project with the invitation to the summer school or shortly after. Changing a project may be possible if you find another participants who is willing to switch projects with you.

The targeted size of each team is five, including two experts and three participants.

Projects
To what extent are the projects on the website fixed?

The proposed projects are preliminary. Project leaders offer a project on a topic on which they can supervise participants and we ask our experts to be open for proposals of their team members. However, the decision if a proposal of a participant can be integrated is up to the project leaders. In addition, you may have noticed already that some projects are further developed than others.

To what extent does the project work start before the beginning of the school?

Once participants are selected and the project teams are matched, hypotheses, data sources, and/or methodologies might be developed further. This could differ between projects and is decided by the project leaders.

Should I contact one of the experts to gauge their interest in supporting a proposal?

No. The experts are also involved in the reviewing process. Therefore, we ask you to refrain from contacting the experts on inquiries about selection or your project proposal. You can ask questions about the project, but we do not oblige them to answer questions.

Travel grant
What are the conditions of a travel grant?

You are only eligible for a travel grant if your home institution does not cover your travel expenses. You have to give proof of this in your application. You also have to briefly explain your need of a travel grant.

If you are granted a travel grant, your travel expenses are reimbursed up to country-specific caps (see question “Is the travel grant capped and if so at which rate?”). Refund of travel expenses will be after the summer school has ended and if you have handed in all original travel receipts and tickets.

What kind of proof do you require to show that I am eligible for the travel grant?

A letter stating that your home institution (i.e. institution that you are affiliated with or are enrolled at) does not cover your travel expenses. The letter needs to be issued by your home institution and signed by a representative of this institution.

We do not have templates for this.

Is the travel grant capped and if so at which rate?

Yes, the travel grant is capped at country-specific caps. The country-specific caps are derived from the rates of the German Academic Exchange Service. Find your country in DAAD travel allowance in the column “Outward and return travel allowances for stays of up to 12 months”. These rates apply for travels to Germany if costs are substantially higher for travels to the Netherlands, the cap can be lifted.

Registration fee

Note: We do not charge an application fee. The registration fee will be charged only after you have accepted our invitation to participate in the summer school!

Can you waive the registration fee?

The registration fee will be waived if you are from a low-income country. For a list, see next question.

How do I find out if my country of residency belongs to the group of low-income countries?

We refer to the official list of the World Bank differentiating countries into the categories low-income, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income, and high-income countries.The following countries belong to the group of low-income countries: Afghanistan, Guinea-Bissau, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Korea (Dem. People’s Rep), South Sudan, Burundi, Liberia, Sudan, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Syrian Arab Republic, Chad, Malawi, Togo, Congo (Dem. Rep), Mali, Uganda, Eritrea, Mozambique, Yemen (Rep.), Ethiopia, Niger,
Gambia, Rwanda, Guinea, Sierra Leone.

Find the complete World Bank classification and relating documentation here: https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/topics/19280-country-classification

Preparation & during the summer school
Do I have to bring my own laptop?

Yes. We cannot allocate participants with laptops.

Address questions to css [at] bigsss-bremen [dot] de