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Application Technique – hints & tips

Application Technique – hints & tips. Theresa Larriba Harboe Research & Innovation Office KU-LIFE tlha@life.ku.dk. Top 5 do’s in proposal writing. Get a great idea! Start early! Make a 1 page proposal! Discuss your 1 page proposal with colleagues and friends!

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Application Technique – hints & tips

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  1. FIK - KU-LIFE Application Technique – hints & tips Theresa Larriba Harboe Research & Innovation Office KU-LIFE tlha@life.ku.dk

  2. FIK - KU-LIFE Top 5 do’s in proposal writing • Get a great idea! • Start early! • Make a 1 page proposal! • Discuss your 1 page proposal with colleagues and friends! • Read the call CAREFULLY!

  3. FIK - KU-LIFE Why do rejections happen? • A large number, 75-90% of all applications get rejected • The reasons could be: • The project does not fit the agency's profile • The application was ill prepared – guidelines not followed, too many formal mistakes • The qualification of the applicant and the ability of the organisation to complete the project • The budget is not properly developed • The quality of the proposed research is not high enough • …..unfortunately the agencies do not have unlimited funds and therefore your application may fall in their priority TLHA 2010 3

  4. FIK - KU-LIFE The good application • Idea and originality. Is there a new angle, new approach - or is it rather a fact-finding or development project? What is the new addition ("added value")? • Is the topic central to the funding agency? • Convincing "State of the Art" • Exact purpose and clear hypotheses • Clear line: Purpose -> hypothesis -> methods -> answer • Clarity for methods, products and work breakdown (eg. WP's) • Resonable budget and time frame

  5. FIK - KU-LIFE • IDEA - can you very briefly explain the idea?: Obvious problem and its possible original solution • SOLUTION need not always be part of the project, nor achievable in the near future - but the way to the solution must be outlined • NOT "solutions in search of a problem“ • "State of the art" must be real and representative - not only own publications and not withhold information • Mobility and international requirements What should you focus on?

  6. FIK - KU-LIFE What should you focus on? • CV well and relevant for the application • Relevant partners with a specification of role • International partners where it is clear how they are partners • Publications are important for applications for postdoctoral fellowships • Take rejection letters seriously and try to understand what the comments means. Resubmission are often welcome if they show true improvement. • Write so that the evaluators understand the meaning and your brilliant idea!!

  7. FIK - KU-LIFE Preparation of an application • Preparation before writing the application • Start early • Make sure your idea is viable – write a 1 page proposal and discuss it • Plan your budget – how much and why? • Scout the funding market within your area • Which one should you apply for what? TLHA 2010 7

  8. FIK - KU-LIFE The popular science description • Turn the process around • Start by writing the abstract/1PP • That way you can perfect your idea • and get your thoughts in line • If you cannot explain your idea in 1500 counts is it good enough to spend 5 pages on?

  9. FIK - KU-LIFE Our favourite tool: the 1-page proposal • Why bother? What problem are you trying to solve? • Why is it important? (explain the gain – new knowledge, reduce hunger, cure HIV, the perfect banking system) • Who is it important for? Denmark, EU, women in Tanzania, the global environment? (describe what will be made possible when the project has delivered its results and achieved its objectives and these can be taken into use) • What is new? Why not just buy the technology? (clearly indicate the current state of the art, and the essence of what is new in the proposed project – before and after scenario) • Why now? Why isn’t it already done? Can’t we just wait? What would happen if we did not do this work now? • Why you? explain why your (teams’) qualifications are the best for the job

  10. FIK - KU-LIFE Preparations before drawing up an application Start early It is very time consuming to plan and write an research application. Research, teaching and administration needs to balance and it is therefore important to considerer the time available to use for writing. It may therefore be an advantage to start generating ideas and abstracts well in advance of the deadline. Why plan your project? The question WHY is essential – it is important to have clear goals and ideas to why you are applying for money Therefore you need to plan with regards to: aim, objectives, expected results, resources needed and budget. You need a clear overview of your project before you start the writing process. TLHA 2010 10

  11. FIK - KU-LIFE Tips for a successful application • Credibility: Your idea must be convincing and achievable • Communication: Clear description of what will be done • Be concrete: Very specific concepts (not general!)– who will do what, when and how? • Documentation: Refer to high quality papers or governmental publications such as EU or WHO reports

  12. FIK - KU-LIFE Considerations during the writing phase ALWAYS read and follow the guide lines Funding agencies are also different. They have different guide lines for the application. The demands can be divided as follows: - Application form + guidelines - Guidelines, no form - No guidelines, no forms TLHA 2010 12

  13. FIK - KU-LIFE Considerations during the writing phase – popular description Most agencies and foundations require a short, popular abstract that can be used for publications – often 1500-2000 counts When working on the abstract remember to consider your language – most people should be able to understand the message and your brilliant idea The abstract should describe the research topic in a catchy way where the main focus is on the news value and the usefulness. Have an outsider to read and comment the abstract Carefully consider the audience – is it lay people, research in or outside the field? TLHA 2010 13

  14. FIK - KU-LIFE Considerations during the writing phase – the project description The project description should reflect the high level of academic professionalism and quality of your project. Keep focus on the aims and buzz words of the call. Again underline the aim, expected results and impact of your research Think about your title – it’s the first thing the evaluators read – it should be obvious, clear and interesting Background – State of the art – where are we now and where is your project taking us beyond state of the art? Add some facts – “this costs society xx euro a year, this many people may be saved… Hypothesis and objectives – the objectives should be clear and understandable, describe the aim of the study in relation to the background section, set some clear and reachable goals Above all – make sure the evaluator can see your idea and hypothesis clearly!! TLHA 2010 14

  15. FIK - KU-LIFE Considerations during the writing phase – the project description Target and need – who are you solving a problem for? What will it mean for them that you solve this problem? Can be theoretical, basic science problem Method – how will you solve the problem and achieve the objectives? Be specific and realistic about methods, time frame and human resources available Collaborators – who are your partners and why? What are they bringing to the project? Explain why you have chosen these partners – are they the best in the Describe your network – are you connected to national and international leading research groups in the field TLHA 2010 15

  16. FIK - KU-LIFE Considerations during the writing phase – the project description Feasibility of the project – do your organisation and partners have the necessary infrastructure Ethical aspects – if any describe them and the means to have them approved by national ethics committees Expected results and their dissemination – more and more agencies are interested in dissemination of the results in other ways that scientific publications and meetings. How will you ensure that the public or relevant stakeholders hear about your findings? TLHA 2010 16

  17. FIK - KU-LIFE Considerations during the writing phase Time plan – Gantt chart Try to make a reasonable time plan which shows the progress and the flow of work. A Gantt chart is a good way to show this and asked for by many agencies. You can supply the chart with a description of who does what.. TLHA 2010 17

  18. FIK - KU-LIFE Considerations during the writing phase Just before you send the application Have an outside read through and comment on the application – make sure it matches the call from the foundation. You could make a check list with the buzz-words from the guidelines/aims of the foundation. Does the application live up to the demands on innovation, quality, clinical research, etc. Check that the application lives up to all guidelines – font style, size, pages, appendices Some private foundations do not accept applications by e-mail TLHA 2010 18

  19. FIK - KU-LIFE Where can you apply for post doc funding? The Free Research Council (DFF) Individual post doc grants, calls twice a year (March & September). Very high competition, succes rate 10-15 % The Strategic Research Council (DSF) Large grants to seniors with heavy CVs – post docs are a requirement – named and unnamed The Advanced Technology Foundation (HTF) Have made a pilot-post doc grant. Partly at a private company and the university. Villum foundation Both individual and hired stipends. Mobility demand Carlsberg foundation Basic research – mobility a plus EU-Marie Curie Mobility demand – young researchers travel away from place of origin. Dead line Aug 2011 TLHA 2010 19

  20. FIK - KU-LIFE Make sure! • Tosellyour proposal - selling not telling • Most researchers are good at telling but not so great at selling • To focus on theoutcome • Most researchers tell what their project is about • not what the outcome/result of the project will be

  21. FIK - KU-LIFE Where to search for funding? Kraks Fonde & Legater 2004-2005, Bog: ca. Kr. 960,00, is available at most libraries http://kraksbutik.krak.dk Vejviser til legater og fonde, 10. udgave, Billesø og Baltzer, Bog: ca. Kr. 845,00, udgives også på CD-Rom, is available at most libraries http://www.e-boghandel.dk/shop/item.asp?id=549877 The Research Support Office at RegionH, FIE has a searchable funding database. If your email address ends with @faculty.ku.dk you can sign up here:http://www.regionh.dk/FIE/Menu/Finansierings_Databasen/Sog+i++databasen/ If problems, then contact your local research support office. They may know how to fix it and are in contact with FIE. TLHA 2010 21

  22. FIK - KU-LIFE Remember!! “Foundations are a little like people: Not all of them are alike and even those of the same type do not behave alike. Each is a singular institution with a separate identity and specific purposes for existence. What is uniform about them is that they give money away each year.” Kilde: (Greenfield, J. M. 1999, s. 202) TLHA 2010 22

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