• I do not have a French/Singaporean partner so far. May I still submit the proposal for my project?

NO. At least two partners – one Singaporean and the other French – are required. Idem for MERLION PhD applications.

• I am unable to submit my proposal by the deadline of 31 Août 2010.  Is it possible for me to have an extension?

NO, this deadline must be strictly adhered to.  All submissions must be received by 31 Août 2010, 5pm (Paris time).

• How can I submit my proposal application?

You may do so ONLINE. Go to the MERLION programme website. You and your French/Singaporean partner will require a common password and login name (to be decided by the both of you). You will also be allowed to make your own modifications to your joint proposal online.

• How will I/we know about the outcome of my/our application?

You or your project leader will receive an acknowledgement email when you apply. Once the final selection of the projects is made, the result will be communicated to you by email.

•  if I have applied to a Merlion workshop, is it possible to organize two workshops within the budget ?

NO. It is only possible to organize one workshop in France or in Singapor.

 

• We have already received funding under MERLION programme. May we apply again this year? 

YES, but your project won’t be considered as priority.

• What is the financial support provided if our project is selected?

The amount provided by the French Embassy is €7500  per annum per project, for a period of 2 years. The financial support can take three forms: 

-         Missions for French scientists to visit Singapore

-         Missions for Singaporean scientists to visit France

-         Post-doctoral scholarships for students

A Franco-Singaporean project can also take the form of workshops. The workshop has to be co-financed by France and Singapore. The funding from the French Embassy will not exceed €15,000.

•  I have more than two partners for my project. Is this acceptable arrangement?

YES. At least two partners – one Singaporean and the other French – are required. But it is acceptable to have more than two partners of the same nationality.  However, please designate one partner among those to be the main contact.

If two Singaporean laboratories are involved, the amount provided by the French Embassy will have to be shared by the two Singaporean organisms to the extend of €7500 per year.

•   My partner is a company, not a research institution. May I apply to the MERLION programme all the same?

 YES. The collaborations involving an industrial partner are encouraged. 

• We would like to apply to the MERLION programme. We are currently/will be funded by an institution / company. May we still be considered for the programme?

YES, you may still apply. Having other sources of funding parallel to that from the MERLION programme is encouraged.

• Is it compulsory for the researchers benefiting MERLION programme to have Singaporean or French nationality? 

NO. The researchers might come from any country, as long as the host institutions involved in the MERLION proposal are Singaporean and French.

• I have just started my PhD studies. May I still make an application to the MERLION PhD programme?

NO. We mainly take students who want to do a PhD but who have not already started. Please note that only supervisors are able to apply for their students.

• If I am successful in my application to the MERLION PhD programme, how many months can I spend in France? 

The length of stay in France supported by the Embassy is 18 months over a period of 3 years with a maximum of 6 months per year.

• If I am successful in my application to the MERLION PhD programme, how much funding will I receive? 

The grant for successful applicants to the Merlion PhD programme is around 760 euros a month. You will also be granted with a flight ticket (France-Singapore) per year.

• I would like to apply to the MERLION PhD programme. I have yet to start my curriculum but I have been given a scholarship. Am I still eligible to apply? 

YES. We even highly recommend you to get also a funding from Singapore.

•  Is it compulsory for the MERLION PhD candidate to have Singaporean nationality?

NO. The PhD candidate might come from any country, as long as the two host institutions for his MERLION PhD proposal are French and Singaporean.