Nordplus Neighbour 2005-06

The Research Council of Norway has announced a call for application to Nordplus Neighbour programme for 2005-2006. The deadline for applications is set to February 1, 2005. This program is extremely suitable for development of activities in the frame of NOVA-BOVA cooperation as it supports networks within education and research between the Nordic and Baltic countries and Northwestern Russia. New and ongoing networks may apply for covering their expenses connected to travel, board and lodging.

Despite the formal minimum requirement for the number of partners is set to 2 Nordic and 2 Baltic countries, the priority will be given for application having the highest number of partners. Also partners from Northwest Russia regions should not be forgotten as in general NCM starts focussing to that region. In addition, NCM Information Office in Lithuania in their newsletter underlined additional known priorities that most likely will be applied to applications. Internet and net-based research and development, distance learning and virtual university courses, innovative schools and special needs education, education and careers are mentioned as possible factors for successful application.

Looking from BOVA and NOVA-BOVA perspective particular attention here should be paid for distance learning and virtual university courses using net-based technologies. This issue is closely connected to the ongoing project on ICT learning possibilities in the Nordic and Baltic agricultural universities (last meeting took place in the beginning of November) therefore groups willing to work on distance learning may also expect different kinds of support from NOVA-BOVA network.

More detailed information on Nordplus requirements for applications and procedure in general could be found on NorFa's webpage following the address http://www.rcn.no/nordplus. All initiatives and ideas for application are welcomed and BOVA secretariat is ready to support you based on available experience with several successful applications to Nordplus programme. Having any questions or ideas do not hesitate to contact secretariat directly by email [email protected] or contact BOVA coordinator at your university.

Prepared at BOVA secretariat
Alvidas Sarlauskas