Call for neuroinformatics project proposals

The INCF Norwegian Node, a national node of the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF), has been established by the Norwegian Research Council to promote the development of neuroinformatics in Norway. The node is located at the Center for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN) at the University of Oslo and is lead by professor Gaute T. Einevoll and professor Johan Storm.

In neuroinformatics, methods from computer science, mathematics and statistics are used to strengthen neuroscience research. More specifically, neuroinformatics encompasses:

• establishment and use of data and knowledge bases;
• development of tools for analysis, visualization and distribution of neuroscience data;
• computational neuroscience.

INCF Norway receives an annual funding of about NOK 800,000 from the Norwegian Research Council, and a part of this funding will be used to support neuroinformatics projects in Norway. The types of projects that will be supported are:

• small research projects with a large neuroinformatics component, preferably involving both experimental neuroscientists and modellers/computer scientists;
• adaptation of existing neuroinformatics tools;
• preparation of research project applications with neuroinformatics component;
• participation in workshops and conferences with neuroinformatics component;
• visits to or from strong neuroinformatics groups; organization of small neuroinformatics meetings or workshops.

Each project is expected to have a cost of about NOK 10,000-100,000, in the exceptional case up to NOK 150,000. The typical duration of a project should be a year or less. The application should include:

• a short project description including a specification of how the money will be spent (max 2 pages),
• a short abstract (less than 100 words), and
• a short CV from the project leader.

Project proposals can be submitted at any time, the first call was May 15th, 2007. Here is an overview over granted projects.