Background:
The central mission of the International Research Laboratory for Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Astrophysics (IRL-NPA) is to foster collaborations between CNRS N&P and FRIB in fundamental nuclear science (see https://npa.in2p3.fr for details). The IRL-NPA supports scientists from CNRS N&P laboratories and FRIB for visiting collaborations at IRL-NPA, participation in experiments at FRIB, and the organization of workshops, conferences, schools, or similar events. The present call for applications is for events to be held in 2027.
Conditions for Support:
– Visiting collaboration or participation in experiments
The activity must involve scientists from CNRS N&P and FRIB. The duration is expected to be about 1 or 2 weeks.
The scientific visit can be held at IRL-NPA in East Lansing (for CNRS N&P scientists) or at a CNRS N&P laboratory in France (for FRIB scientists).
Participation in experiments will be considered at FRIB (for CNRS N&P scientists) and at GANIL, ALTO, or another facility in France (for FRIB scientists).
For CNRS N&P scientists, the support is intended to cover local accommodation expenses in East Lansing and includes lunch tickets in accordance with IRL-NPA administrative guidelines and in compliance with FRIB rules.
For FRIB scientists, the support is intended to cover travel expenses, whereas local accommodation expenses are to be found from other sources.
– Organization of workshops, conferences, schools, or similar events
The event must take place at FRIB, East Lansing. A fair balance between scientists from CNRS N&P and FRIB is expected for the organizers and the participants. The requested support must principally be employed to (fully or partially) cover travel and/or local accommodation expenses for participants from CNRS N&P and can also be employed for other minor expenses of the event.
Application Procedure:
For both types of activities, a concise proposal (not exceeding 2 pages) should be submitted. An estimate of the proportion of PhD students and early-stage researchers should be provided, as well as a list of previous applications supported by the IRL-NPA when applicable.
1. For visiting collaborations or participation in experiments, the proposal must contain: a title, the names and contact information of the proponent(s), a short summary and purpose, a scientific motivation, the preferred visiting dates, and a preliminary breakdown of the budget.
2. For workshops, conferences, schools, or similar events, the proposal must contain: a title of the event, the names and contact details of the organizers, the motivation and the scientific question to be investigated, a list of potential key participants (not necessarily contacted), the preferred date(s), the anticipated outcome(s), and a preliminary budget.
For questions regarding budgetary guidelines, please contact the IRL-NPA administrative office.
All applications must be sent by e-mail to irl_npa@frib.msu.edu [shared mailbox] as a complete document.
Deadline:
October 1st, 2026.
Evaluation of Applications:
The applications will be reviewed by the IRL-NPA Scientific Board. The following criteria will be considered in the evaluation process:
1. How the proposed activity will create new or foster existing collaborations. For instance, the opportunity for a new collaboration or a short history of an existing collaboration can be presented.
2. What is the leading role of CNRS and FRIB scientists in the proposed activity?
3. The potential to strengthen the CNRS-MSU partnership.
4. How pressing is the addressed question or the experiment?
5. Is there a fair number of PhD students or early career researchers associated with the application?
6. Budget feasibility.
Outcome of the selection procedure:
Applicants will be informed quickly after the deadline by the IRL-NPA direction, and no later than November 15th, 2026. Selected proponents will be contacted to coordinate practical logistics and administrative requirements. In addition, a short report will be requested after the end of the project.