Call for NetX:
Networking Excellence Projects in the Humanities and Social Sciences for the Study of Consequences and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems 

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The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program on Humanities and Society (WASP-HS) aims to develop competence and realize excellent research about the consequences and challenges of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems for humanity and society. NetX is a network initiative that aims to advance groundbreaking scientific cooperation between researchers at different universities and between researchers and external partners. Project proposals should address an issue of highest priority for the goals and vision of WASP-HS that requires the gathered competence of a multidisciplinary or cross-sectorial team. The proposed research must be novel and original, of international academic significance and of societal relevance. 

Conditions 

  • At least 2 participating PI:s, including at least one PI who is already affiliated with the WASP-HS Program. The PI:s must represent at least two different organisations (universities and/or external partners). The project must be hosted by one of the academic partners. 
  • Per project, WASP-HS provides funding for 1 or 2 positions at PhD or postdoc level and one package for supervision and project operational costs. 
  • Maximum costs covered for a PhD position is 3 MSEK. In addition, WASP-HS will cover the costs of participation in the WASP-HS graduate school. These costs do not need be included in the proposal. 
  • Maximum costs covered for a 2-year postdoc position is 2 MSEK. 
  • Maximum costs covered for project operational costs and supervision is 1 MSEK. 
  • Eligible direct project costs are salary costs, a maximum payroll overhead (LKP) of 50% on salary costs, and operating costs. Payroll overhead exceeding 50% of salary costs are  be covered by the project partners, 
  • Indirect costs are calculated as a maximum of 15% of eligible direct cost. Indirect costs that exceed 15% of eligible direct cost are covered by the project partners. 
  • Premises costs are calculated as a maximum of 3,5% of direct eligible costs. Premises costs that exceed 3,5% of direct eligible costs are covered by the project partners. 
  • External (non-academic) partners must contribute a minimum of 500KSEK in kind. In-kind contributions can include salary costs, materials, travel costs and use of infrastructure, equipment or licences. 
  • PhDs and postdocs are expected to share their time between the partner organisations, spending at least 20% fte at each organisation. 
  • A researcher may be PI in at most one proposal and co-PI in at most one other proposal. The same group of PI:s and co-PI:s can submit at most one proposal. 
  • When applying for the funding of 2 positions, the positions must be employed at different faculties or institutes. 
  • A total of 25 MSEK is available for this call. In order to support specific research profiles, the following reserves have been made: 
    • 6 MSEK is allocated to proposals that focus explicitly on excellent humanities research 
    • 6 MSEK is allocated to proposals that strengthen joint knowledge creation either through external PhDs or across relevant Wallenberg Foundations research programs (e.g. WASP, DDLS, WACQT, WISE) 
  • For granted projects: The arrangements between the project participants concerning all costs which are not covered by WASP-HS need to be fixed in a written agreement, a copy of which should be submitted to WASP-HS. 

Procedure 

  • 22 March: Pre-launch – Upcoming call 
  • 5 April & 11 April 2022: WASP-HS will organise information meetings to ensure the visibility of the call across all Swedish researchers, calling explicitly on humanities scholars. 
  • 20 April: Submission Page opens 
  • 15 June 2022: Call closes. Submission through WASP-HS registration system. 
  • June-August: Review by Scientific Evaluation Committee.
  • 15 September: Board decision on proposals. 
  • End of September: Announcement of results and notifications of decisions. 
  • 1 January 2023: Projects start. 
  • Latest by September 2023: Students/postdocs employed. (The aim is for the PhD Students to be part of 3rd cohort that starts in September 2023) 

Evaluation Criteria 

  • Scientific excellence and international significance of proposal 
  • Excellence of transdisciplinary and/or cross-sectorial approach 
  • Priority of the research for the vision and goals of WASP-HS 
  • Novelty and originality of proposal 
  • Merits of the applicants and ability of the team to conduct the proposed research 
  • Societal relevance and timeliness of the proposed research 
  • Potential to strengthen basic research within the humanities or social sciences 
  • Potential to contribute to the resolution of societal challenges 

Rights and Obligations 

  • Reporting of publications 
    • All publications should include acknowledgement to WASP-HS: 
      “This work was partially supported by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanities and Society (WASP-HS) funded by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation” 
    • All publications must be reported to WASP-HS (either through DiVA or similar system) 
  • WASP-HS graduate school 
    • PhD students are admitted to the WASP-HS graduate school and must participate in all associated courses and activities as part of the conditions of the program WASP-HS 
  • WASP-HS activities 
    • All Researchers financed by WASP-HS are expected, on invitation, to participate in WASP-HS meetings, contribute to the graduate school activities, and report any research results and publications of which they are responsible

Application

The call closed on 15 June. See open calls.