Preparing an ERC application

Dr John Burden

Research Support Services

Which scheme?

Starting Grant Consolidator

2-7 years PD experience 7-12 years PD experience

Develop independent career Scientific track record of great promise

Transition from supervised research to independent research

Consolidate independent research programme

Establish research team Strengthen independent research team that has been recently created

Conduct independent, excellent research

Conduct independent, excellent research

Up to 5 years Up to 5 years

Up to €1.5M Up to €2M

Which scheme?

Starting Grant Consolidator

2-7 years PD experience 7-12 years PD experience

Develop independent career Scientific track record of great promise

Transition from supervised research to independent research

Consolidate independent research programme

Establish research team Strengthen independent research team that has been recently created

Conduct independent, excellent research

Conduct independent, excellent research

Up to 5 years Up to 5 years

Up to €1.5M Up to €2M

• Publications – guidelines for each scheme

• Funding – collaborations, small amounts, fellowships

• Prizes and awards, patents

• Talks, presentations, workshops & visits (especially invited)

Track record and evidence of Independence

“Applicants are encouraged to evaluate their track-record and leadership potential against the above-mentioned benchmarks that have been adopted by the Scientific Council, in order to decide for themselves their likelihood for success, thus avoiding to invest effort in proposals that are very unlikely to succeed”

Publications Guidance

Starting Grant•significant publications (as main author) in major international peer-reviewed multidisciplinary scientific journals, or in the leading international peer-reviewed journals of their respective field•at least one important publication without the participation of their PhD supervisor.

Consolidator Grant•“several important publications without the participation of their PhD supervisor”•“significant publications (as main author) in major international peer-reviewed multidisciplinary scientific journals, or in the leading international peer-reviewed journals of their respective field. “

Need to develop a 5 year work programme tailored to the available resources

•How much of your salary will be included?•How many years PDRA/Technician time•Consumables & other lab costs to support work

RSS will advise on costs and what staff could be employed

Create a work programme to match the budget

Finances will influence work programme

Work programme not single grant

PDRA 2

PDRA 3

PDRA 1

Research Projects

Overarching Research Theme

Need to have a coherent research programme with several research projects suitable for the amount of staff time and resources requested

How to apply

2014 call deadlines;

• Starting Grants 25/3/14*• Consolidator Grant 3/6/14*

(*Not confirmed but unlikely to change much)

Once call announced Guide for applicants is available – Read thoroughly

Electronic application system – Participant portal

Tell RSS & Department you are planning to apply – internal review and procedures

Part A – Administrative formsA1 Summary of proposal & PIA2 Host Institution detailsA3 Project costs

Part B Research ProposalMandatory template must be usedStrict page limits, font, font and margin size

B1 Synopsis (5 pages)PI CV (2 pages)Track record (2 pages)

B2 Scientific proposal (15 pages) including state of the art, objectives, methodology, resources, ethical issues

Supporting Documentation – Host institution supporting statement, PhD certificate

Structure of application

• Background– What is the context of the research?– Why is it important (Scientific excellence)?– What preliminary work?

• Aims– Research Question?– What do you want to do?– Why? (Scientific excellence, “at and beyond the frontiers of understanding “)

• Methodology– Detailed multi-page programme of research– Technical (not too technical)

• Outcomes– What will the research deliver – Be realistic, you are committing to deliver this– Basis of future career

• Justify resources requested

B2 – Scientific proposal

In summary……In summary……• Start early;

• Build track record• Establish collaborations• Develop proposal with input from others

• Offer what the Funder wants;• Fit research to funder criteria• Understand the form & fill in correctly• Excellent research, Independence, basis of future career

• Talk to RSS