The COVID-19 measures and lockdown have a large impact on research at FASoS. Researchers may experience obstacles to do planned fieldwork, may be negatively affected by cancelled conferences and workshops, or may lack time to do research because of the need to take care of children or others.
While some colleagues may have adapted and found ways of coping with the situation, PhD candidates and postdocs (researchers with temporary contracts) may be hit particularly hard by Corona-induced delays.
These colleagues are expected to deliver a specific output (PhD thesis, project results, and publications) within a limited period of contract time, and the crisis may mean that this output is more difficult to generate. For this particular group, the Faculty Board has decided to install a Corona Delay Committee (CDC)*, to help identify the most appropriate solutions for different problems that may have arisen. The CDC is an advisory body to the Faculty Board (FB). It will propose solutions for hardships, while the FB decides. The CDC in the first place proposes tailor-made solutions, such as:
- paying for travel expenses (e.g. a conference visit) that cannot be covered by project funds when projects have ended;
- help with technical equipment that is more appropriate for doing research online;
- training to use alternative research techniques;
- teaching reductions;
- continuing access to email and facilities after appointments have ended (‘zero contracts’);
- Other solutions, as proposed by postdocs/PIs and PhD candidates/ supervisors.
Paid contract extensions for PhDs and postdocs, beyond the initially agreed contract time may also be considered but they can only be the last option, if no other remedies are possible. The key aim of the policy is to help bring PhD projects and research projects to a successful conclusion. To support this, the FB has set aside a limited amount of financial means. To make the best possible use of the available finances, affected colleagues and their supervisors / principal investigators are expected to review the possibilities to adapt research designs and / or to align output expectations to the new situation. This approach is in line with the general UM Policy on addressing corona-related hardships.
How to apply?
You can apply to the CDC if you are a FASoS PhD candidate or postdoc (researcher with a temporary contract) with a UM contract. Submissions should in principle be made jointly with your supervisor or principal investigator, and as a result of a discussion in which all possible options to address the hardship (including cost-free options) have been reviewed. Should it not be possible to come to a joint request to the CDC, it is possible to apply individually. Please note that you cannot apply to the CDC if you have either a tenure track or a tenured position. To request assistance by the faculty, please send in a proposal of max. two A4 total, describing:
- the nature of the hardship and its relation to the Covid crisis;
- how the adaptation of the project (including budget amendments of ongoing externally financed projects) or reduction of output expectations has been considered between both PhD candidate/postdoc and supervisor and, if applicable, why this does not offer a solution;
- the assistance that is requested. A paid contract extension can only be applied for by PhD candidates in their final year of their contract and postdocs;
- moment at which assistance is needed.
In order not to disadvantage specific colleagues, the Faculty Board has decided against demanding a financial contribution by the department or the PI/supervisor to any solution that the CDC/FB may endorse. However, if such a financial contribution is possible, it should be indicated in the request letter. Your application can be sent via e-mail on a continuous basis. The CDC will operate over the coming years, and will not be terminated without proper advance notice.
Procedure
The CDC will discuss incoming requests as soon as possible. It will apply the following criteria when reviewing requests:
- need: are cost-free solutions possible and appropriate (adaptation of the research plan, etc.)? Have the hardships credibly been caused by the COVID-19 crisis?
- effectiveness: which compensation or measure targets the problems best?
- equity: dealing with comparable cases in a comparable manner
- legal constraints: a contract extension may not be possible due to CAO
The advice of the CDC will be sent to the Faculty Board, which takes the final decision.
Members of the Corona Delay Committee:
- HR: Dorry Spijkers / Jordy Friedrich
- Director Graduate School: Thomas Conzelmann
- Head of Department: Cyrus Mody
- Additional staff member: Karlijn Haagsman
* The roots of the establishment of the Delay Committee can be found in the joint statement ‘Uitloop van onderzoekstrajecten’ by VSNU, NFU, NWO, ZonMw, PNN en PostdocNL as well as in the UM joint policy ‘Oplossingsrichtingen voor promovendi en postdocs’ developed by the Executive Board, Management Team, Research Platform (vice deans research), the PhD-Platform, the Maastricht Young Academy and the committee research of Recognition & Rewards
