Preambel
In its statute dated 11 February 1999, amended on 6 May 2008, the non-profit CLAAS Foundation determines the Foundation’s purpose as the promotion of science and research as well as education, especially in the area of agriculture and related engineering and economic sciences.
The CLAAS Foundation is both operative as well as promotional. As an operative Foundation we pursue the Foundation’s objectives by introducing own initiatives such as awarding scholarships and science prizes, organizing own events etc. As a promotional Foundation we enable third parties to work on and realize interesting research approaches, ideas and projects.
The CLAAS Foundation’s funding activities have to be selected abiding by the CLAAS Foundation’s Statue, as well as the applicable laws and regulations in Germany, in particular the Foundation Act of North-Rhine Westphalia and the requirements of the Foundation supervisory authority.
In the project selection process, the CLAAS Foundation places great importance on the fulfillment of the Statue’s standards which are further specified in the following content and strategic eligibility criteria.
I. Funding principles
The CLAAS Foundation acts on a national and also international level.
All funding is taxation wise subject to an immediate distribution and usage and is limited in time. The CLAAS Foundation generally prefers seed funding and highly innovative projects. The research projects seeking funding should not have commenced at time of application.
II. Target groups and areas of funding
The CLAAS Foundation focusses on following target groups:
1. School pupils (respectively schools) of all school forms (Primary schools, secondary modern schools, comprehensive and grammar schools)
- STEM support (Science – Technology – Engineering - Mathematics)
- Project proposals from schools which have a best practice, model character and make an important contribution to the young people’s career guidance and education.
2. Students
- Promotion and support of the young researchers by awarding scholarships and support of student research projects (e.g. theses, participation in technical and agriculture- oriented competitions and events etc.)
3. Universities in Germany and abroad
- Part funding of national and international research projects which are put forward to us by either a student or the university itself.
- Project applications of schools and universities which show a best practice example and are significant to the young generation’s education.
4. Other non-profit organisations.
III. Eligibility criteria
The CLAAS Foundation focusses on following topics:
Research topics of agricultural engineering, agricultural sciences and adjourning scientific disciplines, primarily engineering and also informatics. Also theses (bachelor, master, PhD) are most welcome.
The projects should count amongst one of the following categories: Ag Engineering, plant and animal production, agricultural construction, economics, digital farming.
Research projects in Germany and abroad with a relevance to agriculture which deal with questions about farming’s future such as also e.g. renewable energies, renewable raw material are of great interest.
Evaluation criteria such as innovation capacity, realizability, practical relevance, scientific approach, interdisciplinarity and creativity are applied.
The CLAAS Foundation supports applications fulfilling following strategic criteria:
Long-term perspective: The CLAAS Foundation attaches great importance to a long-term approach of the applications. It is not singular initiatives which we look for, but rather projects with a sustainable, long-acting perspective.
Eligibility period: Good ideas usually need more time to be realized and come to its fruition. Therefore, the CLAAS Foundation also supports over a longer period of time.
Quality: In the selection process, the projects have to meet high standards. The applicants should have a high expert knowledge in his or her field of research.
- Internationality: Our international activities are mainly in Europe.
The CLAAS Foundation preferably supports research projects in need of support in equipment. Personnel costs are, if at all, only partly covered.
IV. Negative list
The CLAAS Foundation does not support:
- Coverage of students‘ cost of living e.g. to bridge the transition period between bachelor and master course or between master and PhD course
- Singular scholarships other than our own designated scholarship programmes
- Student excursions
- Travel expenses
- Complete coverage of personnel costs, at best partly
- Financial support of conferences, symposia and thereof resulting literature
- Commercially-oriented proposals of profit-oriented institutions
- Simulation games of pupils and students (e.g. Model United Nations)
V. Funding pre-requisites
Entitled are students, universities and schools as well as non-profit institutions such as associations or societies.
After confirmation of funding of a project, the CLAAS Foundation appreciates being listed as a supporting party.
VI. Application
When applying for support of a new project, there is usually no timeline throughout the year and confirmation of project application is generally given within a short period of time.
The Board of Trustees decides on long-term projects in its annual spring Board Meeting.
Applications for funding for new projects have to be submitted to the CLAAS Foundation by filling out the form including the required documents as stated on our homepage (http://www.claas-foundation.com). If an application cannot be submitted online, also a printed out version is possible and accepted.
Parts of the application are the description of the proposed project and a cost- and finance planning overview. When necessary the applying institution has to add an official copy of the current statute or a corporate tax assessment. If further documents are required, the CLAAS Foundation will inform accordingly.
VII. Payment and proof
The CLAAS Foundation independently decides on the basis of the given eligibility criteria and informs the applicant in writing. The granted support is paid out after the applicant’s acknowledgement of these funding guidelines. A legally binding confirmation has to be made that the funding is used for a specific purpose (earmarked funds).
The CLAAS Foundation’s decision is final. The CLAAS Foundation’s support is voluntary. A legal claim is not possible.
VIII. Duties of the funding recipient
The recipient of the CLAAS Foundation funding is obliged to produce a documentation on the usage of the CLAAS Foundation’s funding as well as a final report on the project’s results.
For payment, the grant recipient has to fill out a payment form which is attached to the funding confirmation. The funding recipient may refer to the CLAAS Foundation as supporter of respective project.
IX. Earmarking of funds
The granted funds may solely be used for the purpose and project as stated in the CLAAS Foundation’s confirmation letter. Financial changes and amendments in content have to be immediately communicated to the CLAAS Foundation and need to be approved by the CLAAS Foundation.
The equipment purchased with the Foundation’s budget has to be handled properly and should have a note that it was financed by the CLAAS Foundation.
X. Retraction and redemption committment
The CLAAS Foundation reserves the right to revoke the granted funding and to reclaim the paid funding. This applies when the approval’s conditions are not fulfilled, the funding is not used in the agreed manner or if the usage of the funds is not presented.
The cancellation right also applies when the project has not started within the timeline of one year.
XI. Commencement
These guidelines take effect as of 1st January 2018.