Joining EuCAPT

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Interested in EuCAPT? On this page, you can find the instructions to join the consortium, a list of FAQ, and other useful resources.

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In short, we invite European institutions, with more than 20 members currently active in theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology, or groups of institutions that jointly count more than 20 active members, to join EuCAPT, and to indicate their representative in the EuCAPT Council.

 

For detailed instructions, please refer to this invitation letter. 

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Note: Some of the detailed instructions below are from the first invitation for membership in 2022. If you are interested in joining EuCAPT, please contact the EuCAPT secretariat directly at eucapt.secretariat@cern.ch.

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FAQ:

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Who counts as an active member? 

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All researchers, from PhD students to faculty, who spend at least 50% of their time working on any topic in theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology, very broadly defined, count as one active member. 

 

We are aware that there are some ambiguities in the way one assesses the time spent on research work, and on what topic should be considered theoretical astroparticle physics and cosmology. And we understand that there might be fluctuations in the number of active members. 

 

Instead of devising strict rules, we ask you to please use your best judgement when counting members. The Steering committee will assess each proposal individually.

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What is my host institution? 

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The institutions we would like to be represented at the EuCAPT Council are local institutions, typically identified as groups of individuals working in the same building or campus. 

 

[For example: a CNRS researcher working at the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris will join other researchers at the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, not other CNRS researchers in other cities, and express one representative for their Institute.]

 

They should be officially recognised as universities or research institutions, and have a legal representative.

 

Researchers with multiple affiliations must choose only one, typically the one at which they physically spend more time, in order to avoid double counting.

 

As above, we are aware that there might be ambiguities and special cases in the definition of host institutions. Again, instead of devising strict rules, we ask you to please use your best judgement. The Steering committee will assess each proposal individually.

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How do we elect an institutional representative?

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In line with the bottom-up nature of EuCAPT, we leave it up to you and your local colleagues to decide whom to elect as a representative, and how to elect them. In case of doubts or conflicts about the selection of a local representative, please refer to the head of your institution.

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What if my institution has fewer than 20 active members?

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Institutions with fewer than 20 active members can team up with one or more other institutions, until they reach a total number of 20 members or more, and express one joint representative. 

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They can also ask to join other institutions which already have 20 or more active members, and in case of positive response, participate in the election of their representative.

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What if there are less than 20 active members in my country?

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If all the institutions of a European country, when grouped together, fail to reach the threshold to join, they can still nominate one joint representative.

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What are the formal commitments for institutions joining EuCAPT?

 

No formal commitment is required for institutions to join EuCAPT, beside maintaining a list of active members, and ensuring an effective communication of the EuCAPT activities and opportunities with them.

 

We nevertheless expect that participating institutions will contribute to the creation of an open and inclusive platform for international collaboration, and will look for opportunities to contribute to the organization of thematic meetings and scientific exchanges, and facilitate the participation of its members in EuCAPT activities.

 

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What are the advantages of joining EuCAPT?

 

All our events and initiatives are open to everyone, including individuals who are not affiliated to institutions represented in the EuCAPT Council.

 

Joining EuCAPT still has some important advantages. It will in particular allow you and your institution to be represented in the EuCAPT Council. 

 

Through the Council you and your institution will 

• participate in the election of the Steering Committee and Director of EuCAPT; 

• vote for the next EuCAPT Central Hub; 

• contribute to joint proposals to attract additional resources to our field; 

• be informed about available funding for scientific exchanges; 

• join the community building initiatives organised by EuCAPT; 

• host EuCAPT workshops; 

• participate in shaping the future goals and structure of EuCAPT.

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Why is it important to join?

 

Our goal is to bring together the entire community of researchers active in Theoretical Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology. Our first census counted more than 800 researchers, but we know that there are many more scientists and institutions active in these fields of research. Joining EuCAPT will help us map our community and understand our strengths and weaknesses.

 

Together, we can increase the exchange of ideas and knowledge; better coordinate scientific and training activities; help scientists attract adequate resources for their projects; and promote a stimulating, fair and open environment in which young scientists can thrive.

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What if we miss the May 16 deadline?

 

We very much hope that you won't, as it is important for us to have from the beginning a clear idea of the number of institutions involved, in order to plan the work of the Council. We nevertheless plan to review requests that reach us after the deadline, and all future requests, at least once a year. 

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What if I have further questions?

 

We have opened a dedicated discussion channel on mattermost at https://mattermost.web.cern.ch/eucapt/channels/joining-eucapt. In case you haven’t found an answer to your questions here or on Mattermost, you can contact the EuCAPT secretariat at eucapt.secretariat@cern.ch. For questions that are specific to your country, or national education system, you may contact one of the EuCAPT Steering Committee members listed on the EuCAPT website at eucapt.org.