The European Union Social Science Information Research Facility (EUSSIRF) is a Research Infrastructure for Social Scientists, located in Florence and financed by the Training and Mobility of Researchers Programme of the European Commission.

The EUSSIRF initiative has received funding for three years within the Fifth Framework and is issuing a new call for research proposals . An important change to note is that the range of Associated States has been broadened to include Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Applicants must now be a citizen of an EU or associated State AND working in an EU or an Associated State.

EUSSIRF provides the opportunity for European researchers in the social sciences to gain access to the collections, resources and services of its library. Short-term research visits usually lasting one month, will benefit from:

- a substantial financial contribution toward travel and living expenses (up to 1400 Euros)

- help with finding local accomodation

- expert assistance in exploiting the centre's collections and resources

- training in new research technologies

- integration into the wider academic life of the EUI through affiliation with the Robert Schuman Centre

The next deadline for applications is 21st July 2000. Visitors selected in this round will be for the period from 1st October 2000 to 30th April 2001. Please note that the London branch of EUSSIRF (located at the LSE) is NOT selecting visitors at this time.

For further information about eligibility, assistance and the resources available, contact EUSSIRF - Florence

Dr Thomas Bourke
Library
European University Institute
Badia Fiesolana
San Domenico di Fiesole
50016 Firenze,
Italy