To the applicant
During the programme phase 2012-2014 there will be only one application round. The budget for this call for proposals is approximately 9,7 MEUR.
A HEI ICI project is always coordinated and the application is submitted by a higher education institution in Finland.
The applicant here refers to the networks of higher education institutions applying for funding from the HEI ICI programme. Funding is applicable for projects of 1–3 years duration. The MFA funding for a project can be 100 000– 500 000 euros.
The project must have a minimum of one Finnish higher education institution (coordinator) and one partnering higher education institution in the developing country. There can be several partners from Finland and developing countries, yet minimum is one main partner HEI from a developing country and one main partner HEI from Finland. Universities and Polytechnics/Universities of applied sciences are encouraged to develop joint partnerships.
Associate partners
Though other partners than HEIs are not entitled to receive funds from the project they may be engaged to benefit and support the capacity development activities of the HEI ICI programme. Inclusion of different types of HEIs, other educational institutions and other possible relevant stakeholders (e.g. civil society actors), in supporting roles, can be considered as an added value in HEI ICI projects.
For instance programmes which engage employers and business and other tertiary education institutions such as colleges, vocational training, institutes, technical training institutes, community colleges, nursing schools, centres of excellence, distance learning centres, and registered NGOs could be beneficial for the HEI capacity development.
Application round 2012
The last call for proposals closed 23rd November 2012 4.15 PM.
To fill in the application, applicants must follow the guidelines given in the HEI ICI Programme Document (MFA June 2012).
The Finnish main partner shall submit the application in English to CIMO´s online application tool by November 23rd 2012 4.15 p.m. at the latest (the tool closes exactly at 4.15). Printed and signed version of the application with required annexes should be sent to address: CIMO P.O. Box 343, 00531 Helsinki on 23rd November (postage stamp) at the latest and be marked "HEI ICI".
If the application is brought to CIMO in person, it should be left in the reception by November 23rd 4.15 p.m. at the latest.
The application should be signed by a legal representative of the coordinating Finnish HEI.
If all the partners in the project have not signed the project proposal by the application deadline, a MoU signed by all partners should be submitted to CIMO by November 23rd.
Information day and training on project planning were held in Helsinki on September 20-21st 2012. Presentations on the objectives of the programme, guidelines for applicants and advice for preparing the project proposal and using the online application system as well as a link to a video from the events are found here.
Decisions
The decisions are made by the Minister for Development Cooperation based on the Advisory Board proposal. The Advisory Board consists of representatives from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Ministry of Education and Culture, CIMO and universities and universities of applied sciences.
The ministry of foreign affairs will take the final decision of grants approximately in February/March 2013.