International Council of Archives

You are a young professional (up to 35) member of ICA or willing to join ICA, or you recently started in the profession (up to 3 years activity).

In the framework of its “Young and New Professionals programme”, the Programme Commission (PCOM) organizes a special call for projects. PCOM will make a single award of up to 5000 euros to the applicant whose proposal best meets PCOM's criteria for project funding. The result of the project will be published and/or disseminated by ICA.

The Young and New professionals programme provides young and/or new archivists around the world with the unique chance to express their commitment within ICA and with opportunities to develop themselves in an unusual way.

Objectives of the call for projects activity

• To provide young and new professionals with the opportunity to get support to develop a project;
• To have young and new professionals get used to propose and manage an international archival project;
• To get young and new professionals committed with international co-operation and professional solidarity;
• To get fresh ideas and new approaches for the ICA professional programme.

Criteria

The general criteria described in the guidelines for applicants of the PCOM general call for projects will be applied. Moreover, the candidate will have to demonstrate:

• a clear understanding of the objectives of ICA;
• a general knowledge of records and archives management including how recordkeeping practice and information systems evolved over time;
• an ability to investigate, to analyze and to present the findings of an original piece of research;
• originality by the discovery of new facts and the exercise of independent critical power.

The proposed project can be developed at the national level, regional or international level. However, if it is developed at the national level, the results should benefit the wider archival community, by proving a model, a case study, an analysis, or a tool which could be re-used or serve as a basis for a similar work or project in another country/region of the world.

Please note that:

• the members and/or the secretary of the Programme Commission cannot be referees;
• as this call will be organized as a competition, the members and/or the secretary of the Programme Commission cannot be contacted to provide potential applicants with advice to develop their project proposal;
• the project must not be a master or PhD research, and the funding must not be considered as a bursary to support archival studies.

How to proceed

Proposing and managing an ICA international project is anything but improvisation. Your proposal will be considered by a demanding panel of experts according to strict criteria, just as for any professional.

1st step - Gather as much information as you can about ICA.

2nd step - Try to define clearly your idea: the objectives of your project, the concrete results you would like to achieve.

3rd step - Read carefully the guidelines, the conditions of eligibility, the definition of a PCOM project: does your project idea match the requirements?

4th step - You think your idea could be a PCOM young/new professional project.

• find your project referee and start contacting him (her). You will have to co-operate closely in order to develop details of your individual project.
• fill in the application form, prepare the project plan and budget. Plan ahead and try to think of everything.

5th step - Check that you have prepared the required documents and send them to the Secretary of the Programme Commission at or by fax (00 33 1 42 72 20 65).

The file will include:

• the application form: to be complete as accurately as possible. Separate project plan and project budget are welcome.
• the referee form: to be completed and signed by the referee who has accepted to support you.
• a motivation letter, explaining the reasons why you are applying to the programme, your objectives, and your understanding of international co-operation.
• a CV and/or educational background.

Calendar

Applications should be submitted to the PCOM Secretary by 1st March 2012 at the very latest. Earlier receipt of the full proposals would be helpful. PCOM anticipates that decisions will be announced by 15 May 2012.