Spraak- en Taaltechnologische Essentiële Voorzieningen in het Nederlands

Flemish-Dutch Language and Speech-processing Technology Programme (STEVIN) - call for tender

Part of NWO Theme : Digitalisation and Information Technology
Part of NWO Theme : Knowledge Base for ICT Applications
Secretariat : GW
Participants : EW
Apply : No, the subsidy is closed for applications
Deadline : 22 May 2007 noon

Objective

In order to stimulate the technology sector and increase its capacity for innovation, as well as to strengthen or at least maintain the position of Dutch in present-day information and communication society, the Nederlandse Taalunie (Dutch Language Union) is launching the Flemish-Dutch Language and Speech-processing Technology Programme STEVIN. The programme has a 5-year duration.

The aims of the STEVIN programme can be summarised as follows:

  • to realise an effective digital language infrastructure for the Dutch language on the basis of the BaTaVo priorities (see http://taalunieversum.org/taal/technologie/docs/daelemans-strik.pd f);
  • to carry out strategic research in the field of language and speech-processing technology, particularly in those areas that are in big demand arising from concrete applications of these technologies;
  • to promote the formation of networks and core research areas as well as the embedding of the research, to educate new generations of experts, and to encourage demand and knowledge transmission.

Application

Who can apply

Exclusively senior researchers at Flemish or Dutch knowledge institutions are eligible to apply. If a research proposal is submitted by a consortium of knowledge institutions and/or companies, then the head applicant and project coordinator must be employed by a Flemish or Dutch knowledge institution. The knowledge institutions that qualify are defined in the official STEVIN subsidy arrangement. In principle only those qualify that are recognised as such a) in “the Netherlands law on higher education and scientific research” or b) in “the Decree of 4 April 2003 regarding the restructuring of higher education in Flanders” or c) by the Board of the STEVIN programme.

What can be applied for

Proposals must state how the proposed research or project fits in the priories of the STEVIN programme, as specified in the official STEVIN programme description. Proposals can consist of stand-alone, specifically focused projects with a maximum duration of 3 years. For proposals where the budget is higher than € 500,000, industrial matching must have been committed. For details see the STEVIN Call.

When can be applied

The STEVIN programme has a 5-year duration: 2004-2009. The first Call was in 2004, the second in 2005. The third and final Call is in 2007.

Extra Information

The STEVIN programme is a Flemish-Dutch long-range programme executed under the auspices of the Nederlandse Taalunie. The STEVIN programme office is run jointly by NWO Humanities Division and SenterNovem.

Selection

Criteria

  • Availability of results
  • 'Value for money'
  • Coverage of tender description
  • Creating support within the field of language and speech-processing technology in the Netherlands and Flanders

An explanation of these criteria can be found in the Call.

Procedure

All admissible full procedures submitted in the Open Call will be submitted to a panel of international TST experts. The composition of the International Assessment Panel can be found on the STEVIN website. This international panel evaluates and prioritises the admissible requests on the basis of the aforementioned assessment criteria and formulates a number of recommendations for the STEVIN Programme Committee. The assessment by the panel is then submitted to the applicants for comments and reactions. On the basis of the applications, the recommendations of the panel and the reactions, the Programme Committee assesses the applications and prioritises the admissible proposals. Based on the advice of the Programme Committee and that of the International Assessment Panel, the TST Board makes a final decision as to which projects will be awarded.

Timetable

  • 22 May 2007 12:00 hrs: deadline full proposals 
  • beginning of July 2007: assessment international experts International Advisory Panel (IAP)
  • middel of July 2007: rejoinder applicants: (please be available!)
  • beginning of Augustus 2007: assessment and prioritisation by programme committee
  • Augustus 2007: decision TST board 
  • september-oktober 2007: effectieve start

Committees

Assessment and ranking full proposals by IAP and Programme committee. Decision by TST Board.

Additional information

Budget

The total budget of the STEVIN programme amounts to 11.4 million euro. For the third Call a maximum budget of 2.3 million euro is available. 

Financiers

The Science and Innovation administration of the Ministry of the Flemish Community; the Netherlands Ministries of Education and Economic Affairs; NWO.

Contacts

Documentation

no documentation available