Drafting a Competitive Proposal for MSCA IF 10.5.2016 Research and Innovation Services Elina Humala & Lasse Löytty
Content Award criteria PART B (Scientific proposal) 1. EXCELLENCE 2. IMPACT 3. IMPLEMENTATION 10 pages 4. CV OF THE EXPERIENCED RESEARCHER 5. CAPACITIES OF THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS 6. ETHICAL ASPECTS 7. LETTERS OF COMMITMENT OF PARTNER ORGANISATIONS (Global fellowship only) PART A (Administrative forms) and electronic submission service 2
What is the main objective of Individual Fellowships (IF)? support individual researchers at postdoctoral level and beyond to work on a research project of their own design that advances their careers. Mobility between countries is required in order to acquire new skills and experience, as well as to enhance the employability of the supported researcher in the future. Mobility between academic and non-academic sectors is also encouraged where this increases the impact of the fellowship. 3
What are the IF opportunities for academic organisations? The fellowships enable organisations to host highly talented researchers, whose proposals are competitively peer-reviewed inter alia on the basis of research excellence. The researchers must have a certain amount of experience in the profession They will bring experience from elsewhere in Europe or possibly beyond An additional advantage to the host organisation is that the IF grant provides a complete financing package: up to two (EF) or up to three (GF) years of living, mobility and family allowances for the benefit of the individual researcher, as well as support to the host organisation for research costs, management and overheads. 4
Proposal template / Award Criteria 1. Excellence 1.1 Quality and credibility of the research/innovation action 1.2 Quality and appropriateness of the training and of the two way transfer of knowledge between the researcher and the host 1.3 Quality of the supervision and of the integration in the team/institution 1.4 Capacity of the researcher to reach and re-enforce a position of professional maturity in research 2. Impact 2.1 Enhancing the potential and future career prospects of the researcher 2.2 Quality of the proposed measures to exploit and disseminate the action results 2.3. Quality of the proposed measures to communicate the action activities to different target audiences 3. Implementation 3.1 Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan 3.2 Appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources 3.3 Appropriateness of the management structure and procedures, including quality management and risk management 3.4 Appropriateness of the institutional environment (infrastructure) 4. CV of the Experienced Researcher (The CV is intrinsic to the evaluation of the whole proposal and is assessed throughout the 3 evaluation criteria) 5. Capacity of the Participating Organisations IF: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships Excellence Impact Quality and efficiency of the implementation Quality and credibility of the research/innovation project; level of novelty, appropriate consideration of inter/multidisciplinary and gender aspects Quality and appropriateness of the training and of the two way transfer of knowledge between the researcher and the host Quality of the supervision and of the integration in the team/institution Capacity of the researcher to reach or re-enforce a position of professional maturity/independence Enhancing the potential and future career prospects of the researcher Quality of the proposed measures to exploit and disseminate the project results Quality of the proposed measures to communicate the project activities to different target audiences Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan Appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources Appropriateness of the management structure and procedures, including risk management Appropriateness of the institutional environment (infrastructure) 50% 30% 20% Weighting 1 2 3 Priority in case of ex aequo 5
Secondment SHARE Feasible Specific Competitive MOBILITY Quality Experience Transferable skills INTERACTION Originality Clarity Timely Lots of demands TRAINING through research Your career Co-operation Clear LEARN,GROW,SHARE SYNERGIES TRAINING Well structured plan Credible Scientific excellence Important question Integration into team Multidisciplinary Performance indicators COLLABORATION Mentoring Exposure to the industry Controlled risks Impact 6
Successful proposal It is extremely important to address all the questions and points! (in most cases you will have to get well over 90 points of 100) Your strengths might not be enough to overcome the weaknesses (evaluators always comment positive and negative aspects of your proposal) Perfection is possible! 7
Application Part A = Administrative forms Section 1: General information about the proposal (including the abstract) Section 2: Data on participants and contacts Section 3: Budget Section 4: Ethics issues table Section 5: Call specific questions Part B = Research and training plan along with the practical arrangements planned to implement them 8
B1 General information The maximum total length of sections 1 to 3 of Part B of the proposal is 10 pages, as indicated in the proposal template The minimum font size allowed is 11 points (for tables and GANTT-chart 8 points). Literature references should be listed in footnotes, font size 8 or 9. However, regardless of the format used, all footnotes will count towards the page limit. Part B of your proposal carries as a header to each page the proposal acronym and the implementation mode to which you are applying (i.e. Standard EF, CAR, RI, GF). Please note that the REA takes the issue of scientific misconduct very seriously. 9
Academic (tick) Non-academic (tick) UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Participa nts Beneficiary - NAME B1- List of Participants Leg al Enti ty Sho rt Na me Coun try Dept./ Divisio n / Labora tory Super visor Role of Partner Organisati on Partner Organisati on - NAME 10
B1- Excellence 1.1 Quality and credibility of the research/innovation action (level of novelty, appropriate consideration of inter/multidisciplinary and gender aspects) Introduction, state-of-the-art, objectives and overview of the action Research methodology and approach: highlight the type of research / innovation activities proposed Originality and innovative aspects of the research programme: explain the contribution that the action is expected to make to advancements within the action field. Describe any novel concepts, approaches or methods that will be employed. The gender dimension in the research content (if relevant) The interdisciplinary aspects of the action (if relevant) Explain how the high-quality, novel research is the most likely to open up the best career possibilities for the experienced researcher and new collaboration opportunities for the host organisation(s). 11
1.1. Quality, innovative aspects and credibility of the research Questions to consider: Does the proposal address a well formulated problem? Is it an important problem or just an interesting scientific challenge? Why is it important for future research? Objectives of your project. Are they achievable and feasible within the lifespan of the project? If your proposal is over-ambitious, the evaluators will find it unrealistic. If it is too modest, the evaluators will find it not ambitious enough. What will be achieved in the duration of the project? What is the change achieved with the project? The proposal must explain the idea in sufficient detail to convince the evaluator that the idea has some substance, and should explain why there is a reason to believe that it is indeed a good idea. It is absolutely not enough merely to identify wish-list of desirable goals. There must be technical substance to the proposal 12
1.1. Quality, innovative aspects and credibility of the research OBJECTIVE Why is it an important problem? Why is it a good idea to finance you? Objective should be S.M.A.R.T.: Specific target a specific area for improvement. Measurable quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress. Assignable specify who will do it. Realistic state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources. Time-related specify when the result(s) can be achieved. Example Main goal of the project is to improve the efficiency of xxx by 10 % in three years. The objective of the project Is it Clear? Is it Measurable? Is it Realistic and achievable? 13
Example of basic structure for your research project 1. Scientific and Technological quality 2. Implementation 3. Impact NEED Project idea & concept Work Package 1 WP2 WP3 Deliverable 1.1 Deliverable 1.2 Deliverable 2.1 Deliverable 3.1 Expected result 1 Expected result 2 Expected result 3.. Expected impact1 Expected impact 2 Expected impact 3.. Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 MILESTONE1 MILESTONE 2 Indicator 1 Indicator 2 Indicator 3.. 14
B1- Excellence 1.2 Quality and appropriateness of the training and of the two way transfer of knowledge between the researcher and the host 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 hosting 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. 15
B1- Excellence Describe the training that will be offered What support is given for the individual personalised project, what new techniques/methods? What kind of training is available for transferable skills, check also the training provided by Research and Innovation Services/Ethich Committee/Library What role will the secondments have? Transfer of knowledge Researcher What new knowledge, skills, competences, networks will you gain in light of your research objectives Remember to define the objectives for training (research and transferable skills) Host organisation What added value (networks, contacts, methods, knowledge, experiences) can you bring and your research project for the host organisation? 16
What kind of training activities could be offered? Typical training activities in IFs may include: Primarily, training-through-research by the means of an individual personalised project, under the guidance of the supervisor and other members of the research staff of the host organisation(s); Hands-on training activities for developing scientific (new techniques, instruments, research integrity, 'big data'/'open science') and transferable skills (entrepreneurship, proposal preparation to request funding, patent applications, management of IPR, project management, task coordination, supervising and monitoring, take up and exploitation of research results); Intersectoral or interdisciplinary transfer of knowledge (e.g. through secondments); Taking part in the research and financial management of the action; Organisation of scientific/training/dissemination events; Communication, outreach activities and horizontal skills; Training dedicated to gender issues. 17
Could secondment support your career development? Secondments have a clear impact on the project, are planned before, and have a particular scope for example, without the secondment the final results of the project would not be possible. The purpose of a secondment is providing transfer of knowledge and training. Secondments imply mobility to a partner organisation in a MS or AC with specific supervision arrangements. Short visits imply mobility to another location outside the physical premises of the beneficiary. However, the work done is supervised directly by the beneficiary. Short visits can only represent a small part of the action. 18
B1- Excellence 1.3 Quality of the supervision and of the integration in the team/institution Qualifications and experience of the supervisor(s) Provide information regarding the supervisor(s): the 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 researchers. Information provided should include participation in projects, publications, patents and any other relevant results. Hosting arrangements The application must show that the experienced researcher will be well integrated within the team/institution in order that all parties gain the maximum knowledge and skills from the fellowship. The nature and the quality of the research group/environment as a whole should be outlined, together with the measures taken to integrate the researcher in the different areas of expertise, disciplines, and international networking opportunities that the host could offer. For GF both phases should be described 19
B1- Excellence Examples about supervisor Positions, international collaboration, total number of publications and H-index, numbers of papers with high impact factor, project portfolio + funding, main scientific results, size of group, main collaborators abroad, expectations for this project, etc. Examples of activities to integrate researcher within hosting organisation Education offered for PostDocs How is the mentoring organised? Who are the members of the research team, what kind of research are their doing and how your research compliments the whole team? What kind experience does the department have with international staff and what kind of services? Practical help for new researchers (meetings, administrative work,etc.?) 20
B1- Excellence 1.4 Capacity of the researcher to reach or re-enforce a position of professional maturity/independence Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed research and training will contribute to the further professional development as an independent/mature researcher. Describe briefly how the host will contribute to the advancement of the researcher's career. Therefore, a complete Career Development Plan (CDP) should not be included in the proposal, but it is part of implementing the action in line with the European Charter for Researchers 21
B1- Excellence What will you reach if you get this funding? Your goals? How can the host and supervisor help you reaching your goals? Your project, how will it help your maturing? 22
B1- Excellence The European Charter for Researchers should be respected and career development plan envisaged Examples of topics to be discussed in Career Development Plan (in application you can refer that these will be agreed upon, sketch the content): Brief overview of the research project Long-term career objectives (over 5 years) What further research activity or other training is needed to attain these goals Short-term objectives (1-2 years) Research results and Publications (goals and means) Research Skills and techniques (goals and means) Research management (goals and means) Communication skills (goals and means) Other professional training (course work, teaching activity) (goals and means) Anticipated networking opportunities (goals and means) Dissemination strategy (goals and means) Other activities (community, etc) with professional relevance (goals and means) 23
B2-IMPACT Expected Impact in the call text At researcher level: Increased set of skills, both research-related and transferable ones, leading to improved employability and career prospects both in and outside academia Increase in higher impact R&I output, more knowledge and ideas converted into products and services Greater contribution to the knowledge-based economy and society At organisation level: Enhanced cooperation and stronger networks Better transfer of knowledge between sectors and disciplines Boosting of R&I capacity among participating organisations At system level: Increase in international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility of researchers in Europe Strengthening of Europe's human capital base in R&I with more entrepreneurial and better trained researchers Better communication of R&I results to society Increase in Europe's attractiveness as a leading destination for R&I Better quality research and innovation contributing to Europe's competitiveness 24 and growth
B2- Impact 2.1 Enhancing the potential and future career prospects of the researcher Explain the expected impact of the planned research and training on the career prospects of the experienced researcher after the fellowship. Which new competences will be acquired? 25
Researcher s career The importance of the grant to your career? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What new networks will you establish (scientific and non-scientific)? Please explain what will you benefit from the secondment? Who else will benefit from this project and why (impact of the project)? What kind of research results do you have, what kind of impact they will have and how will you ensure theses impacts will realise? 26
Increase the impact of the researcher s future activity on European society, including the science base and/or the economy Key deliverables and results Users of the results Disseminati on of the results Project Impact What deliverables and results come from your project? Who wants your results and why? Prioritise and justify How will they learn about your results? What kind of impacts the results could have in longer term? 27
B2- Impact 2.2 Quality of the proposed measures to exploit and disseminate the action results Describe how the new knowledge generated by the action will be disseminated and exploited, e.g. communicated, transferred into other research settings or, if appropriate, commercialised. What is the dissemination strategy - targeted at scientists, potential users and to the wider research and innovation community - to achieve the potential impact of the action? The following section of the European Charter for Researchers refers specifically to dissemination: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020- funding-guide/grants/grantmanagement/dissemination-of-results_en.htm 28
B2- Impact 2.3. Quality of the proposed measures to communicate the action activities to different target audiences Please make also reference to the guidelines Communicating EU research and innovation guidance for project participants as well as to the "communication" section of the H2020 Online Manual. Concrete planning for section 2.3 must be included in the Gantt Chart (see point 3.1). http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h202 0/other/gm/h2020-guide-comm_en.pdf http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020- funding-guide/grants/grantmanagement/communication_en.htm 29
Communication, dissemination and exploitation of results Communication Delivering messages and establishing dialogue with a range of project stakeholders and public during the project Visits to local schools, writing to newspapers, open days activities for public, etc., explain also the key messages and target groups Dissemination Delivering results to stakeholders through several communication channels What conferences could be good for you, give examples What are relevant journals for you, give examples To whom else in addition to academia do you have to tell about the results and how will you do that? Exploitation of results What are your results and who is interested in them and why. How will you ensure that they will get information about the results? Using results for further research activities Developing, creating or marketing products and services Using results in standardisation activities 30
Dissemination versus exploitation Source: Dr. Stephen Webb 2014, www.rtds-group.com 31
Protection of IPR Source: IPR Helpdesk 2015 32
Dissemination Source: IPR Helpdesk 2016 33
B3-Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation 3.1 Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan The proposal should be designed in such a way to achieve the desired impact. A Gantt Chart should be included in the text listing the following: Work Packages titles (for EF there should be at least 1 WP); List of major deliverables, if applicable; List of major milestones, if applicable; Secondments, if applicable. The schedule should be in terms of number of months elapsed from the start of the action. 34
Work plan WP1 Developing xxx by yyy The aim is to: Dasff The tasks are: Task 1.1 dafasdfad I will study.by eeee Task 1.2 adfadf Secondment Xx is during the.. Deliverables D1.1 Report on. (Month 12) D1.2 Pilot sdfadf (Month 18) Milestone M1 Test d was carried out succesfully and. (Month 12) 35
B3-Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation 3.2. Appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources Describe how the work planning and the resources mobilised will ensure that the research and training objectives will be reached. Explain why the amount of person-months is appropriate in relation to the activities proposed. Questions to consider: Why do you need 24 or 12 months to implement the project? Why is the 3 month secondment to zz ideal? Why do you need 2 visits to place xx? How much time can the supervisor use for your project? 36
B3- Implementation 3.3 Appropriateness of the management structure and procedures, including risk management Describe the: Organisation and management structure, as well as the progress monitoring mechanisms put in place, to ensure that objectives are reached; Research and/or administrative risks that might endanger reaching the action objectives and the contingency plans to be put in place should risk occur. 37
Management Structure and Financial Management Things to consider: Employment contract and Career development plan Scientific and financial reporting Role of PI and Experienced Researcher Financial Management The host supports the researcher in reaching the project objectives. The University of Jyväskylä has the overall responsibility for the financial management. At the beginning of the project a kick-off meeting is organised together with the PI, Experienced Researcher, Research and Innovation services, Personnel services and Faculty administration to agree about the internal reporting, management of the project and to review the obligations of the GA to all. Financial reporting and administration is managed by the Faculty administration and advised by the centralised University Research and Innovation services. The University has considerable experience with the administration of FP7 and H2020 projects. In FP7 the University has 56 projects among which 10 MSC projects and in H2020 18 projects including 5 MSCA. JYU keeps adequate records and other supporting documentation according to EU s and its own rules. 38
Risks and their management 5/7 Risk Category Risk Likelihood Mitigation method Management Lack of integration within the host s research team/the areas/work packages Low/medium/high How can be avoided, e.g. common meetings, common procedures, etc Risk related to your scientific work Risk related to your scientific work Risk related to your scietific work Etc. 39
B3- Implementation 3.4 Appropriateness of the institutional environment (infrastructure) The active contribution of the beneficiary to the research and training activities should be described. For GF also the role of partner organisations in Third Countries for the outgoing phase should appear. Give a description of the main tasks and commitments of the beneficiary and all partner organisations (if applicable). Describe the infrastructure, logistics, facilities offered in as far they are necessary for the good implementation of the action. 40
Competences, experience and complementarity Person and organisation Competences/ experience Role and tasks in project Benefits for the Experienced researcher 41
B CV of the Experienced Researcher Track record: 1. Publications in major, peer-reviewed conference proceedings and/or monographs of their respective research fields, indicating also the number of citations (excluding self-citations) they have attracted. 2. Granted patent(s). 3. Research monographs, chapters in collective volumes and any translations thereof. 4. Invited presentations to peer-reviewed, internationally established conferences and/or international advanced schools. 5. Research expeditions that the Experienced Researcher has led. 6. Organisation of International conferences in the field of the applicant (membership in the steering and/or programme committee). 7. Examples of participation in industrial innovation. 8.Prizes and Awards. 9.Funding received so far 10. Supervising, mentoring activities. 42
CV EDUCATION CURRENT POSITION(S) PREVIOUS POSITIONS B4- CV FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS SUPERVISION OF GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS TEACHING ACTIVITIES (if applicable) ORGANISATION OF SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (if applicable) INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (if applicable) COMMISSIONS OF TRUST (if applicable) MEMBERSHIPS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES (if applicable) MAJOR COLLABORATIONS (if applicable) 43
B5 -Capacity of the Participating Organisations Beneficiary: Jyväskylän yliopisto (JYU) General Description : Only 1-2 sentences about university, concentrate on the strengths of the department/faculty (One paragraph) The University of Jyväskylä has received the right to use HR Excellence in Research logo. The recognition signals that the HR policy at the University of Jyväskylä can guarantee that the status of researchers at the University meets the EU targets. The position of researchers will be developed further in accordance with the principles of HR Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R). The University of Jyväskylä offers researchers a good and inspiring working environment, commits to fair and transparent recruitment and rewarding principles and promotes the principles of the European Charter For Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers in its operations: https://www.jyu.fi/en/research/hrs4r/ Role and Commitment of key persons (supervisor) (Including names, title, qualifications of the supervisor) Key Research Facilities, Infrastructure and Equipment: Demonstrate that the team has sufficient facilities and infrastructure to host and/or offer a suitable environment for training and transfer of knowledge to recruited Experienced Researcher Independent research premises: Please explain the status i.e. are they owned by the beneficiary or rented by it? Previous Involvement in Research and Training Programmes: Detail any relevant EU, national or international research and training projects in which the beneficiary has previously participated Concentrate on the department/faculty project portfolio, JYU has 10 Marie Curie projects in FP7 out of which 4 are individual intra-eruopean grants (IEF), In H2020 JYU has already 5 MSC actions out of which 1 is IF. Current involvement in Research and Training Programmes: Detail the EU and/or national research and training actions in which the partner is currently participating Relevant Publications and/or research/innovation products: (Max 5) Only list items (co-)produced by the supervisor 44
B6 - Ethics Issues 1/3 Applicants who flag ethics issues in the Ethics Issues Table (A-forms) have to complete in addition a more in depth Ethics Self-Assessment: 1) For each area flagged in the Ethics Issues Table, describe how the proposal meets: the EU legislation on Ethics (e.g. Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, existing EU legislation on data protection and privacy etc.); national legislation and good practices on research ethics; if you didn t apply for/ receive the ethics approval/ required ethics documents yet when submitting the proposal, please indicate in the proposal the approximate date when you will provide a missing approval/ any other ethics documents to the REA (scanned copy). Please state explicitly that you will not proceed to any research with ethical implications before the REA received a scanned copy of all documents proving compliance with existing EU/ national legislation on ethics ethical requirements of any TC where research raising ethical issues are to be carried out. 45
B6 - Ethics Issues 2/3 2) Explain in detail how you intend to address the ethics issues flagged in the Ethical Issues Table of Part A of your proposal, in particular with regard to: the research objectives (e.g. study of vulnerable populations like elderly people, sick or illiterate persons, cooperation with a Third Country, dual use, etc.); the research methodology (e.g. clinical trials, involvement of children and related information and consent/assent procedures, use of human tissues from blood banks, interviews with healthy adult volunteers, data protection and privacy issued related to data collected, etc.); the potential impact of the research (e.g. dual use issues, environmental damage, stigmatisation of particular social groups, political or financial retaliation, benefit-sharing, malevolent use, etc.). 46
B6 - Ethics Issues 3/3 Please, check the Ethical guidelines of University of Jyväskylä https://www.jyu.fi/hallinto/toimikunnat/eettinentoimikunta/en/ guidelines and https://www.jyu.fi/hallinto/toimikunnat/eettinentoimikunta/en/ req4sta Please explain for example how you apply for ethics approval and how you will deal if relevant with collection of data, how the study will be carried out, the information that will be given to subjects and the plan for processing and storing data from the perspective of avoiding risks and harm. 47
B7 - Letters of Commitment Please use this section to insert scanned copies of the required Letters of Commitment from partner organisations in TC for the Global Fellowships. Our lawyers will help you draft the Letter of Commitment, please, contact Research and Innovation Services 48
A-forms (administrative forms) Section 1: General information about the proposal (including the abstract) Section 2: Data on participants and contacts Section 3: Budget Section 4: Ethics issues table Section 5: Call specific questions 49
Add Supervisor s/reseacher s access rights to the application 50
Download Part B Template 51
Administrative A-forms, how to fill in the university level information 52
University of Jyväskylä Project guidelines It is compulsory to fill the Project Announcement form before submitting the proposal https://www.jyu.fi/yliopistopalvelut/research-andinnovation/project-services/jyu-best-practices 53
THANK YOU! ris@jyu.fi 54