© 2021 innoScope Este Taller cuenta con la cofinanciación del Programa Operativo FEDER de la Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia 2014-2020, Línea de Actuación 2: “Asesoramiento, búsqueda de socios y financiación de Proyectos de I+D+i internacionales

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021

Claves para redactar una propuesta competitiva

14 y 24 de Junio 2021

MSCA in a nutshell

Going through some of the basic of MSCA-PF call in 20201.

Agenda

Evaluation uncovered

Understanding the key elements of evaluation that will support making up your proposal.

Before writing…

…A review of some initial steps that will heavily contribute to consistency and success.

Why me, now and here?

You have to be able to self-analyse the reasons why you are the best candidate for this grant.

Building up your proposal

Once you arrive here, a in-depth discussion of the issues you will have to account for through the writing process.

© 2021 innoScope

Day One Day Two

Objetives

Disclose and discuss MSCA-PF-2021 main

elements

Provide the toolsto assess your

ideas, define yourproject and plan

the proposalwriting

Understand the key elements to

incorporate in each of the proposal sub-

sections

Identify the keys thatdefine a high level

PF Project and understand the

evaluation process

Present the information and

resourcesavailable to enrich

your proposal

© 2021 innoScope

Who applies? Participating Organisations* : Legal entity in an EU Member State or HE Associated country

Recruited Researchers - Target Groups: any nationality (Global Fellowships: nationals or long-term residents of MS or HE Ass. Countries) * in possession of PhD at the call deadline – novelty up to 8 years research experience after PhD (with exceptions such as, career breaks, work

outside research, research outside Europe for reintegrating researchers) – novelty mobility rule: not resided/main activity in the country of the beneficiary (or TC organisation for GF)

more than 12 months in the 36 months before call deadline.

* Specific eligibility criteria for PFs supported by Euratom: Organisation: legal entity established in an EU Member State or Euratom AC Researcher: nationals or long-term residents of an EU Member State or a Euratom AC

Applicants

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

General characteristicsDuration

European Fellowships: 12-24 months

Global Fellowships: 24-36 months for researchers based in a EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country (12-24 outgoing phase & 12 months mandatoryreturn phase in Europe)

Secondments worldwide up to 1/3 of the fellowship duration – novelty

Optional additional placement of up to 6 months in a non-academic EU organisation - novelty

at the end of the fellowship applicable to both European and Global PF

Calls

2021: 22 June – 12 Oct; 242 M€ [+indicative EUR 1 million for Euratom]

2022: 13 Apr – 14 Sept; 257 M€ [+indicative EUR 1 million for Euratom]

Resubmission restrictions applying as of 2022 for applications receiving a score below 70%

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Call PF 2021: 242.00M€

Publication22/06/2021

Closing12/10/2021

Proposalsevaluation11-01/2021/2

EvaluationResults03/2022

GAsignature

04-06/2022

Timetable for the HEUROPE MSCA-PF-2021 Call (8 months TTG)

Call open for 31/2 months 5 months for evaluation 3 months for signature

Timing*

Possible start date for MSCA PF Action: 1 May 2022 – 1 September 2022

Call ID Opens Closes Budget

H2020-MSCA-PF-2021 22-JUNE-2021 12-OCTOBER-2021 EF: 205.70M€ GF: 36.30M€

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

MSCA PF Evaluation criteriaExcellence Impact Quality and efficiency of

the implementation

Quality and pertinence of the project’s research andinnovation objectives (and the extent to which they areambitious, and go beyond the state of the art)

Credibility of the measures to enhance the career perspectives and employability of the researcher and contribution to his/herskills development

Quality and effectiveness of the work plan, assessment of risks andappropriateness of the effort assignedto work packages

Soundness of the proposed methodology (includinginterdisciplinary approaches, consideration of the genderdimension and other diversity aspects if relevant for theresearch project, and the quality of open science practices)

Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination andexploitation plan, including communicationactivities

Quality and capacity of the host institutions and participating organisations, including hosting arrangements

Quality of the supervision, training and of the two-way transfer of knowledge between the researcherand the host

The magnitude and importance of the project’s contribution to the expected scientific, societal and economic impactsQuality and appropriateness of the researcher’s

professional experience, competences and skills

50% 30% 20%

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Participant portal – official EU site Work programmes, guide for applicants, templates,

FAQs, etc.

Proposal submission access point

Project results and statistics (+ alternative sources) Helpdesk

Login for registered users (need of an ECAS account)

Access point for evaluators (experts) Advice and information can also be found through:

◦ MSCA website / REA website

◦ Net4Mobility+ website

◦ https://www.horizonteeuropa.es/msca

Relevant call information*

© 2021 innoScope

Questions?

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Building up yourproposal

Part B1 (PDF upload)

Part B2 (PDF upload)

No overall page limitapplied

4. CV of the experienced researcher (indicative length: 5 pages)5. Capacities of the participating organisations (1 page for the overview

and 1 page for each participating organisation - indicative)6. Letters of commitment of the associated partners/TC

Part A (electronically)

Proposal structure

10 pages totalNo section page limitExcess pages disregarded

NO COVER PAGE AND NO TABLE OF CONTENTS!

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1. Excellence2. Impact3. Implementation

Form Title Content

Section 1 General Info. e.g. Acronym, Title, Duration, panel, keywords, declarations…

Section 2 Participants e.g. PIC, legal name, Gender equality plan, researcher data

Section 3 Budget Request for funding in terms of researcher months and resources

Section 4 Security Ethics & Security tables and self-assessment

Section 5 Other questions e.g. Academic and elegibility data

General rules to followFormat Respect the page limits and margins! Use font size 11 in the main, size 9-9.5 (8 allowed but it is too small) in footnotes, figures and tables.

Use e.g. Times New Roman, Arial Narrow or Calibri – you can save at least ½ page depending on the font. Choose one that helps you saving space but still readable.

This is a sentence written with Arial Narrow 11 This is a sentence written with Calibri 11 This is a sentence written with Times New Roman 11

Line spacing: single; not multiple or 1 ½ ; nor smaller (example above). You can leave a space before or after the paragraph when you want to remark specific ideas.

Use footnotes (for references) at the bottom of each page or at the end of the document.

Tables are the best way to present lists’ information. They are clean, compact, you can use color to give light to the text and relieve the evaluator’s sight on a very tight text. Illustrate concepts through images.

Use bold font to highlight key concepts (without abusing it). Cursive and underline are also helpful. References (footnotes). Try to simplify very long citing. You can use doi

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Re-submissions –Check the

template/Guide!

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General rules to followA proposal is not a scientific article for

a journal.Choose a colour

and use it!

Template Download the template in Word format from the proposal page Follow the instructions to create the proposal’s header Incorporate page numbers in the footer (e.g. page X of Y) Follow the template sub-headings order and structureStyle Develop a logical structure and make ideas flow. Avoid jargon. Use specialised but understandable language for a non-expert or provide help to understand

complex scientific ideas. Explain abbreviations. Pay attention to your English. It does not have to be perfect, but good enough. Avoid very long sentences and paragraphs. Each paragraph should present a single idea. Do not repeat the same idea along the proposal. Things have to be presented once and in the right section. Do not use links to other documents as a means to provide additional information Make your proposal look appealing to help the evaluator going through it. Use images.

Why me, nowand here?

Defend your cvPERSONAL INFORMATIONFamily name, First name:Researcher unique identifier(s) (such as ORCID, Research ID, etc. ...) / Hindex (or equivalent, if any): URL for web site:PROFESSIONAL PROFILE: Include a short description of your background and experience as an introductionEDUCATION200? PhD

Name of Faculty/ Department, Name of University/ Institution, CountryName of PhD Supervisor/s

199? MasterName of Faculty/ Department, Name of University/ Institution, Country

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (in reverse chronological order, using exact dates)201? – up to date Current Position

Name of Faculty/ Department, Name of University/ Institution/ Country200? – 200? Previous Positions…

Name of Faculty/ Department, Name of University/ Institution/ Country

RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS/SECONDMENTS/RESEARCH STAYS that the experienced researcher has led. 200? – 200? Description, Name of Faculty/ Department/Centre, Name of University/ Institution/

Use e.g. Europassformat

5 pages maximum

Defend your cvPRIZES AND AWARDS (including fellowships)200? – 200? Scholarship, Name of Faculty/ Department/Centre, Name of University/ Institution/Amount awarded….

TEACHING, SUPERVISING & MENTORING ACTIVITIES200? – 200?Type of activity, Name of Faculty/ Department/Centre, Title….

PUBLICATIONS

• In peer-reviewed scientific journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings and/or monographs of their respective research fields indicating also the number of citations (excluding self-citations) they have attracted.

• Manuscripts accepted/submitted• Manuscripts in preparation• Publications in databases

RESEARCH MONOGRAPHS, CHAPTERS IN COLLECTIVE VOLUMES AND ANY TRANSLATIONS THEREOF

Year Ref. Authors, title, impact factor, doi….. Nr. Citations/Open Access

Defend your cvAdditional relevant information

Organisation of International conferences (membership in the steering and/or programme committee).

Invited presentations (to peer-reviewed, internationally established conferences and/or international advanced schools)

Funding received/Participation in Projects (identifying your role and relationship)

Participation in industrial contracts Granted patent/s Professional memberships Skills and competences

Questions?

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Excellence

Excellence1.1 Quality andcredibility of the research/innovationaction

3 ½ - ¾ pages

• Provide an introduction, discuss the state-of-the-art, specific objectives and give an overview of the action.

• Discuss the research methodology and approach, highlighting the type of research / innovation activities proposed.

• Explain the originality and innovative aspects of the planned research as well as the contribution that the action is expected to make to advancements within the research field. Describe any novel concepts, approaches or methods that will be implemented.

• Discuss the interdisciplinary aspects of the action (if relevant). • Discuss the gender dimension in the research content (if relevant).• Discuss the Open access strategy

Executive summaryPitch your MSCA project (1/4 page max)Begin your proposal identifying the problem, what are the existing challenges to solve it, present yourapproach and defend why you, your supervisor and the host/AP are the best to address it while significantlyimproving your career. The screening exercise can be used for this purpose. What problem is your project addressing? Identify the relevant (societal) problem that you want to

focus on and explain why a solution is not available yet. What is the solution you propose and why is the right one? Briefly review which are the existing

limitations and the way you plan to overcome them with a single idea. Do not extend too much. This is just a summary of what evaluators will find later. But you have to take their attention.

Why are you the best option? Explain why the combination of your brackground with the one from the supervisor (and the associated partner if GF) and the means you will have at your disposal will provide the required basis to achieve your ultimate goal.

What about your career? Explain briefly which is your goal as a researcher. How will this experience position you once you finish it? And what will it mean in terms of the scientific goal you want to achieve.

We are not just talking about a 2/3 years project. It goes far beyond and it is ambitious.

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This is the last thing you

actually write!!

Introduction & State of the artIntroduction• Introduce the challenge/problem you want to deal with and the current scientific/technological

alternatives that are available nowadays to solve it. (½ pages)• Present and overview of their limitations, the solution/s you propose to sort them out and the global

approach you will apply to carry out the project. (¼ pages)• Present the ambition that your project has with a simple phrase (overall aim of your proposal). The overall

objective addresses the challenges and goes beyond the project duration.

State-of-the-art (½ - ¾ pages)• Provide details about the current state of the art with respect to the vision that you have for the project,

providing relevant up-to-date references.• Highlight how your project will sort out existing drawbacks and progress ‘beyond state-of-the-art’. • Break up the information into separate short paragraphs, each focusing on the specific

aspects/alternatives you have identified in the introduction.• It is highly recommended to incorporate diagrams, pictures or images that illustrate the nature of the

problem and your perspective.

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Use self-citation if really relevant to sustain your

view.

ObjectivesSpecific objectives (¼ pages) They reflect the specific issues that will be addressed during the project duration. Make them SMART:

• Specific: first, you have to define clearly what is going to be achieved; you can describe the expected results of your project in a compelling and detailed way.

• Measurable: you have clear targets.• Achievable: i.e. realistic within the time allocated to carry out the project.• Relevant: you address the challenge you have defined.• Timebound: you set a time line to achieve each of them (work plan).

IMPORTANT: Objectives / Methodology differences

Objective: (may become a WP) Generation of a physical simulation model to identify the areas prone to flooding making use of high resolution imagery ….. Objectives are related to outcomes. – answer the question “what”

Methodology: …to perform the classification of images (Task X), supervised classification algorithms (ref. a,b) with training areas will be applied as they have demonstrated the best match ...... over a temporary series of images that will have been acquired once x,y,z parameters have been selected .... – answer the question “how”

© 2021 innoScope

Objectives have to demonstrate

also the innovative character!

Overview of the R&T programmeThe work plan, i.e. the work packages are a reflection of the way in which you will achieve each objective.Therefore, before describing the research methodology it is advisable to translate the specific objectives into a work plan (¼ pages).• Describe briefly (a paragraph) the structure of the

work programme that has been designed to reach the solution.

• If feasible, define one work package per specific objective. Deliverables are the expected results of the work package will be directly linked to your objectives.

• Take into account that management, training and dissemination should also have specific work packages.

• Include a Pert diagram to illustrate the interdependencies and connections among WPs.

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Defend how do you expect the proposed research to advance with respect to state of the art presented early in the proposal, e.g. how technology, analysis methods, etc. will improve compared to nowadays.You can use references in this section if required to help justifying your statements. Anticipate the most relevant research aspects of your project that will (once finished) generate a

significant progress.For instance:

• Novel equipment• New algorithms/software/databases• New (analytical) techniques…

Justify what is innovative and original in your project and the outcomes identified. Is it the approach proposed? The methods to be developed?

You may also make reference if relevant to ongoing projects and compare what they do with your proposal (e.g. EU projects but also national, etc. as far as they are relevant).

Originality and innovative aspects

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Describe in an orderly manner (by WP) how each key step to achieve the objectives will be addressed. • Write this section as a research article, providing references (auto-citing here is fine!), and explaining why

you have chosen a specific approach instead of other state of the art options. • Break up each idea or step into a short paragraph. • Identify (in brackets) the work packages and tasks in which these methods will be applied. • Include figures and illustrative diagrams.• Highlight the experiments, techniques and equipment that will be used. • If you plan to carry out a secondment or short visits, detail the purpose and the reasons for it.

Research methodology

IMPORTANT: Methodology / Task difference (i.e. Section 1 / Section 3)

Methodology: to perform the classification of images (Task X), supervised classification algorithms (ref. a,b) with training areas will be applied as they have demonstrated the best match ...... over a temporary series of images that will have been acquired once x,y,z parameters have been selected .... – describes the methods (ref.) that will be used

Task 1.2 (Work package): The classification of very high-resolution images and feature extraction will take place once sample data will have been acquired in the three areas selected. – identifies the actions that will be performed

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Be synthetic!!

Recommended 1 ½ pages

In Horizon Europe context, your project is interdisciplinary when it involves two or more academic, scientific, or artistic disciplines. If your project integrates data, techniques, tools etc. from two or more disciplines (e.g. GIS with physical modelling and hazard management) then explain what expertise or methods from these disciplines will be brought together to achieve your goals.As a result:• Clearly identify which are the disciplines that contribute to your research programme, even if any of these

is beyond the discipline that is strictly yours.• Highlight the specific issues from each discipline that will contribute to your project development.• Describe the approach you propose to ensure you will achieve your goals.

Inter-sectoral:Applied mainly to mobility when moving from Academic to non-Academic organisations or viceversa.

Interdisciplinary aspects

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When gender/sex issues are relevant for your research, you must explain how the project will address them from the methodological point of view. Yes. If it can be expected that in your research you have to consider how women and men or groups of

women and men are differently affected or involved (male/female for animals/plants).• Describe which gender/sex aspects have an impact in the design/outcomes of your research. • Specify how are you planning to handle them to ensure they are well accounted for (methodology)• If there are risks associated to e.g. data gathering or assessment, you will have to address them in the

implementation section and provide solutions for it. • If you have to deal with stakeholders data (e.g. patients, population groups, etc.), or you have to

produce questionnaires, generate focus groups, etc., be aware that you will have to consider gender aspects not only when analysing data but also to gather them.

No. Then, explain in the proposal that gender dimension aspects will not have an impact in the development of your research programme.

• If your research is gender bias by nature (e.g. certain type of diseases), then you will explain it briefly here.

Attention: Gender balance in the team/action management is not dealt with here.

Gender dimension

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Open Science practices

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Open practices involve the use of digital technologies, tools and services to support collaborative research, engagement with stakeholder communities, and validation and re-use of research through open dissemination and peer review.

Open science practices include: early and open sharing of research (for example through pre-registration, registered reports, pre-

prints, or crowd-sourcing). research output management including research data management. measures to ensure reproducibility of research outputs providing open access to research outputs (e.g. publications, data, software, models, algorithms, and

workflows) through deposition in trusted repositories. participation in open peer-review. involving all relevant knowledge actors including citizens, civil society and end users in the co-

creation of R&I agendas and contents (such as citizen science).

Talk to your host. They will be able

to provide you with corporate

instructions

Open Science practices

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Questions

Did I highlight genderand interdisciplinary

aspects (if relevant!)?Did I explain what is

novel about myresearch? Is the

progress over SoAconvincing?

Did I clearlypresent the state

of the art?

Have I clearly defended the approach I Will

follow to carry out myresearch?

© 2021 innoScope

Have I identified precise and relevant objectives?

Are they realistic?Have I made a clear

description of the researchmethods I will apply? HaveI supported this proposal

with evidence?

Are Open Scienceaspects clearly

interseded in myresearch methodology?

Excellence1.2 Quality of the supervision, training and of the two-way transfer of knowledge between the researcher and the host

1 ½ - 2 pages

• Describe the qualifications and experience of the supervisor. • Describe the supervision procedures.• Describe the training that will be offered.• Outline how a two-way transfer of knowledge will occur between the

researcher and the host institution(s):

• Explain how the experienced researcher will gain new knowledge during the fellowship at the host organisation(s).

• Outline the previously acquired knowledge and skills that the researcher will transfer to the host organisation(s).

• For Global Fellowships explain how the newly acquired skills and knowledge in the Third Country will be transferred back to the host institution in Europe (the beneficiary) during the incoming phase.

Quality of the supervisionSupervisors’ Profiles: Provide information regarding the supervisors' level of experience on the research topic proposed and their track record of work, including main international collaborations, as well as the level of experience in supervising/training especially at advanced level (PhD, postdoctoral researchers).

For instance: • Current position and short review of the track record• Acknowledged experience in the research topic • Number of publications / Journals (editor?) / H-Index (or equivalent) • Relevant prices or awards, patents / International Collaborations • Leading role in the host (Head of department, size of the research group, composition)• Number of PhD students/Postdocs supported and tracks• Participation in projects (mainly but not only European)

Describe also relevant experience of your co-supervisor at your secondments (if any) or the outgoing institution (GF) as well as reference to any mentoring received by additional researchers.

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Supervision guidelines (½ pages):

Describe the role and specific functions of the main supervisor and supervisors at the APs/TC in terms of:• Their responsibilities to facilitate and introduce you to the institution, guiding you through all the

required processes to grant you access to the means that you will require to carry out your research• The mentoring and counseling activities that will be carried out to ensure that the research and

training programme is implemented according to the high expectations of MSCA scheme, including the development of a customised Carrier Development Plan and the implementation of monitoring measures to ensure progress. Specify how these aspects will be implemented (e.g. with whom do you meet, attend a course, what is the frequency of meetings, …)

• The means that will be used to ensure the researcher will enhance its career perspectives and gain maturity and autonomy from the scientific, management and personal perspectives along the project.

Clarify the role that the host and associated partners will play from an institutional point of view in the mentoring of the researchers providing, e.g. a designated mentor, support to both researcher and supervisor, supervisors’ training, etc.

© 2021 innoScope

Check the Supervision guidelines!

Quality of the supervision

Quality of the trainingIssues to consider (½ pages)

Explain the training strategy you will follow and state the objectives that you pursue with the training. The researcher has to follow an individual training itinerary, adapted to the project that will be reflected in a

Career Development Plan (CDP). Include a detailed table with the proposed training. Propose some high-level plan. You have to design a specific training programme that will be adapted to the proposed research and your capacities/skills, but always consider:

Scientific/Technical training: It can be through training by research or following specific training courses in e.g. specific techniques. It will advance your competences.

Transferable skills training: They are the skills that will support your progress in your research career projection.

Describe very briefly the reason why secondments (if any) are relevant and identify clearly the purpose, entity, the moment that you expect to develop them and the duration.For GF, distinguish clearly the aspects that will be developed at each institution.

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Training structureScientific skills: • Any new techniques or methods you will have

to learn to develop the project.• It can be through training by research or

following specific training courses.

Transferable skills: • RRI: Open Science, Gender awareness, Ethics

of research, Public engagement, Science education.

• Fund raising, proposal writing (independence).• Project management and organizational

management (leadership).• Communication skills, including science

communication (networking, leadership).• Teaching and mentoring….

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Secondments

Mobility to a Academic/Non Academic organisation with their direct supervision.

Meaningful to achieve the objectives of the research programme. Recommended to have it planned in advance and clearly identified at the proposal stage.

Up to 1/3 of the fellowship duration.

Secondments vs Short stays

Short visits Mobility outside the beneficiary’s premises but to carry out tasks that are supervised by the beneficiary.

Short visits should represent a small part of the action. Although longer periods can be justified.

When a short visit to a TC takes place, the beneficiary shall ensure compliance with the applicableHorizon Europe ethical framework and the corresponding provisions of the Grant Agreement.

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Fellowship extensión!Additional placement of up to 6 months in a non-academic European organization (at the end of the fellowship).

Knowledge transferIssues to consider: (½ pages)

Fellow to host: How can your expertise promote the host institution? Identify the knowledge and experience that you bring and can be useful for the research group at the host

to e.g. begin working in a new technique you master (refer to your cv)

• The skills/techniques that you bring to the host• Identify the audience (e.g. research team but also students, etc.) • Describe how you will transfer them (e.g.)

• Workshops • Teaching and mentoring undergraduates and PhD students

• And how they will contribute to their research• Existing collaborations/networks that you have from your past work.

Host to fellow: Summarise the benefits for the fellow of the training received at the host.

Global Fellowship: How will the newly acquired skills be transferred back to the European host institution?

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Why is the host institution/AP

the perfect match for you?

Questions

Does the text show how I will gain new knowledge

from the hostingorganisation during the

fellowship through training?

Did I detailed the scientificand transferable skills I willacquire? Did I clearly linked

them with my researchprogramme?

Have I convincinglydemonstrated how my

knowledge will be transferred to the host

organisation?

Will the trainingprogramme clearly open upcareer possibilities for me?

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Did I mention thesupervisor’s participationin projects, publications,patents and any other

relevant results?

Are the supervisor’s qualifications and experience

in the subject and hosting researchers clearly

explained?

Excellence1.3 Quality and appropriateness of the researcher’s professional experience, competences and skills

¼ pages

• Researchers should demonstrate how their existing professional experience, talents and the proposed research will contribute to their development as independent/mature researchers, during the fellowship.

• Identify the new competences and skills that will be acquired and how they relate to the researcher’s existing professional experience.

• The detailed track record is displayed in part B2 (Curriculum Vitae). Evaluation takes into account that track in relation to the reported level of experience.

Potential of the researcher

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You have to demonstrate that you are in the right position to carry out the proposed research but that in order to achieve your medium/long term goals, you need also to acquire new capacities and skills that the host/TC will provide to you.

Therefore, you should have reached at this stage appropriate experience, knowledge and a certain independence to carry out the fellowship.

Provide an introduction to your specific career goals/ambitions.

Summarise the key issues that you have presented in your cv (background) that enable you to carry out the project successfully.

Explain the new technical competences and transferable skills (e.g. teaching, students’ mentorship, organizing events, preparing proposals ...) that you will get as a result of the incorporation to the host and the research and training programme that you have devised.

Defend the relevance of the training and knowledge transfer programme devised to achieve a significant advance in your career.

Potential of the researcherSelf DescriptionDo not be too modestExplain why

• your scientific background is (to a certain degree) unique • you have great potential• you are perfectly able to carry out the project • you would greatly benefit from this project

But, be honest!• Relevant publications (first authorships/single authorships) ? What will you

achieve during the fellowship?• International contacts? What will you gain? • Experience in supervision/mentoring? What will you do?• Have you raised already your own funds? Manage projects?

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Questions

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Have I clearly demonstrated I am in the right moment in my career to ask for an MSCA PF?

Have I clearly described my research track until now and highlighted my

main achievements?

What am I missing still? What are the skills and competences I need to

acquire as a next step to reach this goal?

Which are my long term career prospects? What do I

want to achieve as a researcher?

Have I mentioned how the fellowship will contribute to achieve my goals and to

reach a position of professional maturity?

Impact

Impact2.1 Enhancing the potential and future career prospects of the researcher

¼ pages

• Explain the expected impact of the planned research and training (i.e. the added value of the fellowship) on the future career prospects of the experienced researcher after the fellowship.

• Focus on how the new competences and skills (as explained in Section 1) can make the researcher more successful in their long-term career.

Potential and future career prospectsWhen evaluating this section, evaluators have to consider that the research programme presented in the previous section is credible.

By the end of the project the researchers should have reached a level of maturity and independence that allow them to start an independent research stage, looking for their own funding, managing their projects and with the objective of setting up their own group or leading the area of research in which they are specialising.

1. Defend that thanks to the project a demand / need for research in this area will be covered, identifying e.g. key sectors where your research will have an application or social / environmental / technical issues that your research contributes to.

2. Argue how the project (the combination of research + training + supervision) is going to help promoting your research career (it can be beyond Academy), explaining how the aspects that have been explained in Section 1 are going to contribute to it.

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BE AMBITIOUS!!!

Potential and future career prospectsFor point 2: You can describe the added value of the research and training activities (incl. secondments) described under Section 1 for your career in the mid- and long term (specific career goals)

Where do you want to go? How does this fellowship contribute to it?

Options:• You will gain visibility in the scientific community as you will produce X publications /increase Hindex/…• You will gain the experience required to apply for a tenure track job• You will increase your number of professional contacts through the participation of your host networks• You will be able to work in an international and interdisciplinary research environment• You will gain management and leadership skills to set up your own lab/company• You will be in the condition to apply for an ERC grant• …..

These issues will bring you in a position to be a fully independent researcher and improve your employability and career prospects both in and outside academia.

BE SPECIFIC!!!

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Questions

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Have I clearly described the

competences and skills I will have when I finish my fellowship?

How will they impact in my future

career?

How will the fellowship help me advance

towards my ambition? Which is my next

career stage?

Why these achievements are only

possible with the combination of R&T

programme and host?

Impact2.2 Measures to maximiseexpected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities

• Identify the main audiences (scientific, industry and other actors, professionalorganisations, policy makers, etc.) of your project and its results and define a clear strategy to target them.

• Describe how the new knowledge and results generated by the project will bedisseminated, communicated and exploited. Describe potential commercialization pathways, if applicable, and how intellectual property rightswill be dealt with, where relevant.

• Incorporate public engagement activities to create awareness of your research.

• The type of outreach activities could range from an Internet presence, press articles and participating in European Researchers' Night events to presenting science, research and innovation activities to students from primary and secondary schools or universities in order to develop their interest in research careers.

1 – 1 ¼ pages

Definitions…Results:Results’ means any tangible or intangible effect of the action, such as data, know-how or information, whatever its form or nature, whether or not it can be protected, as well as any rights attached to it, including intellectual property rights…

Key results are the outputs generated during the project which can be used and create impact, either by the project partners or by other stakeholders

Project results can be reusable and exploitable (e.g. inventions, prototypes, services) as such, or elements (knowledge, technology, processes, networks) that have potential to contribute for further work on research or innovation.

Research Roadmaps Policy

Recommendations

Reports

Platforms (Collaboration)

Skills and Knowledge

Educational MaterialsCodes of

Conduct

Pre-Standards

Prototypes

Software

Publications

Data

Project Results

Research Communities MS, EU Policymakers

Industry, InnovatorsCivic Society, Citizens

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Dissemination:

Public disclosure of the research results by appropriate means, including by scientific publications, in any medium• Enables the uptake of results to the

ones that can best make use of them• Allows the value of results to be

potentially wider than the original focus

• Essential element of all good research practice and vital part of the project plan

…more definitionsCommunication:

Strategic and targeted measures to promote the action and its results to a multitude of audiences, including the media and the public, and possibly engaging in a two-way exchange

• Reach out to society as a whole• Demonstrate how EU funding

contributes to tackling societal challenges

• Strategically planned with pertinent messages, right medium and means

Exploitation:

Use of results in further research and innovation activities, including among other things, commercial exploitation, creating and providing a service, or in standardisation and policy making activities• Recognise exploitable results and

their stakeholders, identify the value added from their use

• Partners can exploit their results or let them being exploited by interested third parties

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Do not miss:

Webinar on June 9th 2021

DisseminationGeneral principles:

Identify the target audiences (not just the scientific community, it can be e.g. private companies, endusers, etc.) potentially interested in using the results of your project.

Identify how will you deliver the project results and when do you expect to do it. For instance:• Scientific journals: explicitly name the journals and the number of articles you intend to publish

as a result of your work.• Conferences (scientific/technical/industrial): explicitly name the conferences you are going to

attend and the time when they will take place. You can organize e.g. special sessions.

If possible, identify means to measure whether you reached your audiences and your actions were successful (key performance indicators). For instance, you can measure the success of a publication by the number of citations or the impact factor of the journal. An event organised by the number of attendees…

Indicate the Open Access route and deposit options (e.g. OpenAIRE) for your research publications in order to follow the EU dissemination policy and provide full free public access to these materials.

© 2021 innoScope

Open Research EuropeLaunched in March 2021 for H2020 and HE beneficiaries

High scientific standards (e.g. editorial policies+guidelines), expert Scientific Advisory Board across all fields of science

Swift publication times and transparent processes (e.g. open peer-review) No cost to authors/beneficiaries (publication fees paid by the Commission)

Optional: no obligation to publish there: but if you do, you complywith HE policy

https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/

A high-quality, reliable and efficient open access publishing venue for EU-funded research

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Dissemination vs Exploitation

Describe and make results visible to audiences that may use the results that may enable their use and uptake.

Dissemination feeds into exploitation.

Actual use of the results for scientific, societal, economic purposes or for policy making.

All results generated during the project lifetime but also after its end.

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Exploitation of resultsGeneral principles:

You should be able to identify which will be the potential results/outcomes of your project (e.g. new techniques, devices, algorithms, etc.). Try to identify (if any) the protection scheme that may apply (e.g. patent).

Your results may not have an immediate application (e.g. basic research); clarify it and, anticipate how they may be used in the medium to long-term and by whom (e.g. companies of your sector).

Describe briefly how will your results reach out those interested stakeholders (there should be some dissemination action that helps achieving it).

Include in the workplan (Section 3) a specific task to handle IPR in order to identify potential results that require protection.

Horizon Europe IPR principles apply. But you will have to respect also your Host Institution’s IPRprinciples. Therefore, it is advisable to ask your host for information about the way to complete this subsection.

Check out the Horizon Results Platform! It can help to promote your results…

© 2021 innoScope

Do not say you are not going to

generate potentially exploitable

results!

Dissemination vs Communication

About the project and results

Multiple audiences Beyond the project's own community (include the media and the public)

Inform and reach out to society, show the benefits of research

About results only

Audiences that may use the results in their own work e.g. peers (scientific or the project's own

community), industry and other commercial actors, professional organisations, policymakers

Enable use and uptake of results

© 2021 innoScope Source: European Commission

Communication & outreachGeneral principles:

Communication takes place since the beginning of the project and throughout the full lifespan.

Identify the most suitable communication and public engagement activities to reach a broad public, notonly the scientific community.

Remember to have a look at the Guidelines for MSCA Communication & Outreach!! But, take advantage of new communication on-line channels and formats that have grown important during covid-19

You can also gather information from your host/AP Press Office or Events Office and their contacts to themedia, TV channels, etc. in order to provide some foundations for your proposal.

Define your target audiences. They can be the same (or go beyond the ones) for dissemination purposes.

If you identify a particular event, explain why it is in your focus to participate.

Aggregate all Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication activities under a Plan as a deliverable

© 2021 innoScope

Do not stay local!

And do not oversize!

Questions

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Have I clearly identified the stakeholders

interested in my research?

Will I manage to make my research and results known to the public in such a way they can be understood by non specialists?

Will the planned public engagement activities contribute to creating

awareness of my research?

Have I distinguished the target groups of each of my activities? Have I tailored

the measures to reach each of them?

Have I described the potential exploitation

pathways of my results?

Have I incorporated appropriate ways to monitor and protect the IPR arising

from my research?

Have I clearly identified where will I disseminate and communicate the project? Is the timing clearly linked to the

project development?

Will I develop specific plans to develop the activities and

monitor them?

Will I manage to reach local, national and

international audiences?

Are my plans commensurate and realistic?

Impact2.3 Contribution of the project to the expected scientific, societal and economic impacts

¼ - ½ pages

Expected impacts MSCA1. Enhance the creative and innovative potential of

researchers holding a PhD and wishing to diversify their individual competences and skills through advanced training, international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility while implementing excellent research projects across all sectors of research;

2. Strengthen Europe's human capital base in R&I with better trained, innovative and entrepreneurial researchers;

3. Enhance the quality of R&I contributing to Europe's competitiveness and growth;

4. Contribute to Europe's attractiveness as a leading destination for R&I and for good working conditions of researchers;

5. Facilitate knowledge transfer and brain circulation across the ERA;

6. Foster the culture of open science, innovation and entrepreneurship.

© 2021 innoScope

1. Explain how MSCA will contribute to transform more knowledge and ideas converted into products and services; If interested in setting up your own company, sustain how this action will help achieving it.

2. Potential contribution of your project to future training programmes. How will your host learn from the experience?

3. Your research will contribute to Europe strengthening its world-leading position in your field of research or will help to reduce or close the gap to e.g. the USA/Asia…

4. If you are returning from a TC or restarting your research career; If you are developing a Global fellowship, state your motivation.

5. Highlight cooperation between sectors and disciplines e.g. through networking and new relationships established (secondments, placement and dissemination actions).

6. Explain how the actions you will put in place to promote it will help open science.

Set of guiding principles

Aim to raise awareness, encourage best practice, empower fellows

Will set out to:

Reduce the carbon footprint of MSCA projects

Increase awareness on environmental issues

Promote sustainable behaviours and policies

Supported by additional guidance material, case studies, tools and adedicated FAQ

Will be reporting requirement

NOT part of evaluation criteria

MSCA Green Charter

https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/2bfbb0d9-9b3c-11eb-b85c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

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Implementation

Implementation3.1 Quality and effectiveness of the work plan, assessment of risks and appropriateness of the effort assigned to work packages

2 – 2 ½ pages

• Describe how the work plan and the resources you will devote to each work package will ensure that the research and training objectives will be reached.

• Explain why the number of person-months planned and requested for theproject is appropriate in relation to the proposed activities.

• Identify the deliverables and milestones that will help monitoring project progress.

• Include a Gantt chart that clearly depicts at least:

• Work Packages,• Deliverables,• Milestones and,• Secondments, if applicable.

• Discuss the research and administrative risks that can have a negative impact on objectives achievement and defend the contingency plans to sort them out.

DefinitionsWork package: A work package is a major subdivision of the work that has to be carried out in a Project. Itclearly reflects the tasks that will be accomplished to carry out that work, the effort that will be devoted, major outputs and, relevant risks, if any.

Person month: It is a way to calculate the effort that has to be devoted to carry out a specific work package. One person month is equivalent to a person working full time in the project.

To calculate the total person-months in a work package, multiply the percentage of your time that you will devote to that work package by the number of months it lasts.

Deliverables: They are the outputs (e.g. information, special report, a technical diagram brochure a software or other building block of the action) that must be produced at a given moment during the action (normally not at the same time as the periodic/final reports).

Milestones: Control points in the action that help to chart progress. They may correspond to the completion of a key deliverable, allowing the next phase of the work to begin or be needed at intermediary points.

Risk: Potential drawbacks that may hinder your project development.

© 2021 innoScope

Work plan design The work plan displays a detailed description of the activities for the project, aligned with the objectives

and methodology developed under Section 1.• Explain how the work plan proposed will ensure that the research and training objectives will be

reached,• Why the distribution of resources (the number of person-months you have assigned to each work

package) is well balanced for the proposed activities

It is structured in a number of scientific and “administrative” (i.e. management, training, dissemination) work packages. Each work package should incorporate:

• a brief but clear description of the objective and tasks that will be carried out,

• its timing, the number of person months you will devote to it, its corresponding Deliverables and,

• a description of the foreseen secondments/short stays, if applicable

Work packages have to be logically structured, clearly inter-related and scheduled. If you have not used it in Section 1, you can include here the PERT diagram to display interlinks among the work packages.

© 2021 innoScope

The maximum number of

Person Months is 24/36!!

Work packages descriptionThere is no specific format to follow when describing the work packages. However, it is usually helpful to display the information making use of a table.

* Alternatively, you can include the list of deliverables all together in a single table and reflect only the tasks in the work packages description

WP Number 4 Person Months 5 Start M4 End M24WP Title TrainingObjectiveTo organise, coordinate, control and supervise the training activities presented in detail in §1.2, including monitoringof the training blocksDescription of Work (possibly broken down into tasks)T2.1 Development and monitoring of the Career Development Plan: The supervisory team will co-design,implement and review the CDP together with the researcher and will be responsible in mentoring and monitoring itsdevelopment. The CDP will be periodically reviewed and a final version produced in MX…..Description of Deliverables (brief description and month of delivery)*D2.1 Report on training activities (M12, M24)Planned secondment(s): (Host, supervisor, timing, length and purpose) – use only for technical WPs

© 2021 innoScope

Deliverables and milestones Scientific deliverables can have the form or reports but also e.g. algorithms, software, molecules,

devices…. (scientific papers are not deliverables per se!).

The number of deliverables per WP must be commensurate with the activities proposed. If granted, you will have to submit all deliverables included in your proposal (and probably some additional one). So, synthesise!

Incorporate at least one or two milestones at intermediary points to verify progress is in accordance with the project plan. This way, if problems arise, corrective measures can be taken.

Never include milestones at the end of the project or very close to it. You can never correct an action when it has finished!

You will have to provide information on the means that will be used to verify the fulfilment of the milestones. For example:

Nr. Milestone Name WPS Due Date Verification Means

M3 Prototypeimplementation X 22 Functional prototypes of both applications available

(D3.3 and D3.4)

© 2021 innoScope

Contractual deliverables

that are compulsory

Project risks Identify both administrative and research/technical risks that might endanger reaching the action

objectives and describe realistic contingency plans to fight these risks!! It does not go against you proposal to identify the problems you may face, specially if you have already

thought of alternatives to sort them all out. If the risks and contingency analysis is not present or robust, it is considered a weakness in evaluation

and the whole section will immediately go below threshold!

Risk No. Description of Risk WP No Proposed mitigation measures

Management Risks

R1… Conflict regarding IPR, scientific misconduct WPx Scientific misconduct will be managed according to the European Charter

for Researchers principles.Research Risks

R3…Poor statistical significance due to a small number of participants/non-reliable metrics from experiments.

WPx

Enlarge the sample providing incentives for participants or recruiting agencies. Apply effective machine learning methods such as neural network, support vector machines, supervised clustering, etc. Perform pilot studies to improve the experiments’ design (Impact: High, Probability: Medium)

© 2021 innoScope

Gantt chart

© 2021 innoScope

Incorporate a Gantt chart in order to provide a synoptic view of all the activities you plan to develop. It will help evaluators understanding the feasibility of your project.

Questions

© 2021 innoScope

Have I identified realistic administrative and

research risks?Are contingency plans

credible?

Is the work plan consistent with the

methodology proposed?

Have I included a sensible number of work packages? Are

dependencies and links well accounted for?

Does my Gantt chart clearly depicts all the activities, deliverables

and milestones?

Are the time and resources allocated to

each WP realistic?

Will the activities proposed ensure that

the research and training objectives will

be achieved?

Are deliverables proposed well

scheduled and relevant to ensure appropriate project monitoring?

Have I identified the key milestones of my research

and devised consistent assessment measures?

Implementation3.2 Quality and capacity of the host institutions and participating organisations, including hosting arrangements

½ - 1 pages

• The nature and the quality of the research group/environment as awhole should be outlined.

• Explain the appropriateness of the infrastructure available to run theresearch and training programme both at the host as in any associatedpartner’s.

• Describe the hosting arrangements. The application mustdemonstrate the measures taken to integrate the researcher in thedifferent areas of expertise, disciplines, and international networkingopportunities that the host could offer so that all parties gain maximumknowledge and skills from the fellowship.

Capacity of the host institutionDescribe why your host and Associated partners for secondments are the best places to develop your fellowship. For Global Fellowships provide a similar description for the outgoing TC host.

From the scientific/technical point of view:• Describe briefly the research profile of the research group you will join and their relevant

expertise in the disciplines related to your project. The alignment of the research group with the research proposed research has to be synergetic.

• Identify the relevant infrastructure offered by the institution (equipment) and explain the reason why it is key for your development

• Key facilities (labs, libraries, etc.) required for your project• Data requirements/availability…

From the management point of view:

• Describe the host and APs expertise in European projects, MSCA equivalent schemes and, if any, of the research group where you will integrate.

NB: Participants are described in part A. That information should not be repeated here!

© 2021 innoScope

Hosting arrangementsThe hosting arrangements refer to the integration of the researcher to his new environment in the premises of the host. They do not refer to the infrastructure of the host.

If the institution is accredited with the HR Excellence in Research Award of the European Commission in the framework of the HRS4R it should be highlighted.

• Logistics: e.g. Describe the administrative support offered by the Host/TC (e.g. help for the installation of the fellow and bureaucratic procedures), the training facilities and working conditions (e.g. childcare etc.).

• Support measures to ensure your successful integration and transfer of knowledge/skills (Career Development Plan)

• Describe the research group from the "personal" point of view (e.g. teamwork, appointment of a mentor / cicerone, personal development). How will you integrate?

• Describe the opportunities offered by international networking (conferences, publications, participation in projects, events, etc.) and acquisition of knowledge and skills (e.g. courses, participation in teaching)

• Describe the work operative, including measures to monitor your progress.

© 2021 innoScope

Questions

© 2021 innoScope

Will I get the right support toensure integration within the

host/associatedorganisation? Have I clearly

described all measure tomonitor it?

Have I highlighted the infrastructure, logistics and

facilities I will have available at the host/associated partner that are

key for my project?

Have I made a good description of the research

group where I will incorporate and their

capacities?

Have I mentioned the Host holds the HS4HR strategy (if existing)?

Have I made clear which will be the contribution of my

host/associated to the research and training activities?

Are there measures to integrate the researcher in

the different areas of expertise, disciplines and international networking opportunities offered?

Did I mention therelevant offices to help

you with practicalproblems (e.g. visas or

accomodation)

Final stepsJust before submission…

Choose a good acronym for your proposal. It will help evaluators remember it!

Choose something that it is easy to pronounce, short and reflects well the idea of the full title.

Make it catchy but be careful about double meanings!

Search for projects with the same or similar names that have already been funded (Cordis)

Make use of it along the whole proposal text.

CLoud ARtificial Intelligence For pathology (Clarify)

Take advantage of existing tools to help you figure out the options:

https://acronymcreator.net/

https://acronymify.com/

Acronym

© 2021 innoScope

AbstractAbstract – part A Maximum 2,000 characters including spaces! It is not a scientific abstract. It is used, together with the keywords, by the vice-chair, to choose the evaluators of your project.

It is the first contact evaluators have with your project. You have to make the idea of reading yourproposal attractive.

General structure: Context Introduction. Write a couple of sentences to make the reader understand which is the

problem/challenge that you are facing, why it is relevant and why there is the need to find a solution.

Present briefly your proposal to have this problem sorted out. What is your objective. How do you plan to achieve it. Remark the current SoA and the advances your study will provide. Outline the methods youplan to use to reach your objectives.

You do not need to speak here about the training-related issues. You can focus on science.

© 2021 innoScope

Any additional Questions?

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And thanks a lot for your attention!

© 2021 innoScope