Workshop/Event Seed Fund

ELLIS unit Amsterdam faculty members who are organising workshops or other events on ELLIS-related topics can apply for financial support through the Workshop/ Event Seed Fund.

Examples of eligible events would be, but not limited to, workshops collocated with top-tier conferences, workshops organised for PhD defenses on machine learning topics, or standalone workshops organised to bring researchers from different locations in Europe together to discuss machine learning or related sub-fields.

Examples of previously workshops organised with support from ELLIS Amsterdam:

• AI4science Kickoff Workshop
• Geometric and Relational Deep Learning Workshop
• Belgium-Netherlands Workshop on Reinforcement Learning (BeNeRL)

Who can apply?

Workshop/events organizers may apply if they are ELLIS faculty at the University of Amsterdam OR PhD candidates or students at the University of Amsterdam who have the participation and support of an ELLIS faculty member.

Proposals for this programme are reviewed on an individual basis. ELLIS unit Amsterdam aims to encourage diversity and inclusivity in AI and ML communities. We therefore especially encourage applications for initiatives that explicitly take these values into account. Priority is given to initiatives that will promote the advancement of the AI ecosystem in Amsterdam, as it is aligned with our strategic goals.

What can be applied for?

The ELLIS Amsterdam Workshop/Event Seed Fund can be used to cover maximally 5000 euro in costs, including but not limited to:

● Local costs of the venue or costs for licenses required to hold a virtual workshop

● Travel costs of invited speakers

● Travel costs of ELLIS scholars/fellows

● Funds to support travel awards for students with limited financial resources or to increase diversity and inclusion

● Costs for coffee and refreshments during the workshop

In their application for the ELLIS Workshop/Event Seed Fund, organisers are asked to submit a budget with a reasonable estimate for these costs. If the fund is awarded, the actual costs of the workshop/event will be reimbursed retroactively upon submission of receipts and/or invoices. For larger costs that are invoiced, it is possible to request direct payment from the ELLIS funds.

How to apply?

To apply for the fund, fill out the application form (word/pdf), in which you are requested to provide a short description of your workshop, explain its relevance to ELLIS, and provide a budget with a list of estimated costs. The filled-out form can be sent to ellisinfo-science@uva.nl.

Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of the workshop/event as well as its importance for ELLIS. Events that explicitly aim to increase diversity and inclusion, including involvement of ELLIS Members/Fellows/Scholars abroad, while at the same time, promoting AI advancement in Amsterdam will be prioritised.

ELLIS Amsterdam asks events supported by the programme to acknowledge the ELLIS Amsterdam unit on their website and opening slides, and send ELLIS Amsterdam the workshop link and a brief report, including statistics and photos, on the workshop for the ELLIS website afterward.