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Graduate Centre Trimberg Research Academy - TRAc

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  4. Graduate Centre Trimberg Research Academy - TRAc
  5. For Postdocs
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  7. Better Research Sabbatical

Better Research Sabbatical for postdocs

With the programme "Better Research Sabbatical", the University of Bamberg aims to promote the academic qualification of scholars in the postdoctoral phase and thus make a sustainable improvement to their appointment prospects. The programme provides the opportunity for scholars’ exemption from teaching duties for a one-semester period in accordance with §7 (7) sentence 2 in conjunction with sentence 5 of the LUFV. The resulting flexibility is intended to be used for advanced academic qualification, particularly with the goal of increasing the chances of an appointment by, for example, carrying out a research project, completing a substantial third-party funding application or pursuing research at another institution for (international) networking purposes.

The possibility of double funding and repeated funding does not exist. A maximum of 3 Better Research Sabbaticals can be awarded in each selection round.

Reduction of teaching load

Reduction of teaching load for the duration of one semester within the scope of possibilities according to § 7 (7) sentence 2 in connection with sentence 5 of the LUFV.

Financial support

The funding per selected application amounts to 5,000 euros. This sum will be distributed as follows

  • 3,000 Euro for the professorship/chair (for teaching assignments and research assistants)
  • 2,000 Euro lump sum for the applicant (e.g. for research-related travel expenses, literature/materials, research assistants, etc.).

If the lump sum of 3,000 euros for the professorship/chair is not sufficient to finance teaching assignments to the extent of the reduced teaching load, the professor may submit an informal justified application to the Chancellor of the University to increase the amount to the necessary level.

Eligible to apply are young researchers in the qualification phase who hold positions at the University of Bamberg.

The following criteria guide the selection with priority:

  1. Quality of the project outline, especially with regard to the expected sustainability of the further qualification and strengthening of the chances of appointment.
  2. Scientific excellence (e.g. quality of the doctorate, high-ranking publications, prizes, scholarships, third-party funds)
  3. Special commitment and/or special workload in teaching

Special attention is paid to international networking as well as the promotion of equal opportunities.

Applications are submitted via the application form provided on the Trimberg Research Academy (TRAc) Graduate Center's website.

They are reviewed in a competitive internal university procedure according to several selection criteria. The Standing Committee for Research and Young Academics (FNK), chaired by the Vice President for Research and Early-career Scholars, discusses and evaluates the applications.

The university management decides on the award proposal of the FNK.

  • The funds must always be spent within the semester for which the release is granted.
  • A final report(1.2 MB, 2 pages) must be submitted to the Vice President for Research and Early-career Scholars no later than two months after the end of the semester in which the teaching duties are reduced.
  • The Dean's Office and the respective teaching unit shall ensure that the person receiving the grant is released from teaching and administrative duties and that the teaching that is thereby omitted is guaranteed in the same semester from the funds of the grant.

Applications can be submitted until 1.4. (for the winter semester) or 1.10. (for the summer semester) each year. Applications are submitted via theapplication form provided on the website of the Graduate Center Trimberg Research Academy (TRAc). The following documents must be uploaded:

  1. Project outline of max. 2 pages on the planned further scientific qualification and the planned use of funds.
  2. Curriculum vitae in tabular form including information on third-party funding, awards/prizes, committee work and courses (max. 4 pages in total).
  3. List of publications (possibly only selected publications, max. 4 pages)
  4. Letter of recommendation (max. 1 page, referring to the selection criteria), written by the superior or the chairperson of the evaluation committee (the latter in the case of junior professorships)
  5. Report of the interim evaluation (if available)
  6. Statement from the dean as to whether the release is supported. (It is recommended that you seek this document in a timely manner).