Young Independent Research Group Leader My experience with the ERC Starting Grant André Mischke Utrecht University 1
My brief CV 1999, Diploma in Physics, Philipps-Universität Marburg 2002, PhD, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt/Main Postdoc, Helmholtz Centre for Ion Research GSI, Darmstadt Postdoc, Utrecht University Cooperation Networking Potential referees 2003-2006, Research stays at Brookhaven National Laboratory and CERN Temporary appointments, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Wayne State University 2 2006-2008, Junior lecturer and project leader (NWO: Innovational Research Grant, Veni scheme), Utrecht University Since 2008, Assistant Professor (tenured) and ERC- Starting Group leader, Utrecht University My field of research: high-energy physics Research environment: large international collaboration
Starting Independent Researcher Grant Seventh Framework Programme European Research Council Support for frontier research Principal investigator: 2 9 years after PhD Support researchers at the start of their independent research career and establishing or consolidating their own independent research team Provide a structure for transition from working under a supervisor to an independent research leader 3
Starting Independent Researcher Grant Up to 2 Million per grant for a period up to 5 years Application procedure: two-stage process (submission in one step) Evaluation criteria scientific excellence principle investigator: proven potential to establish an independent research career research proposal: excellent, ground-breaking research idea host institution: outstanding reputation First round: 300 out of over 9000 applications were approved for funding Second round: around 3000 applications evaluation in progress 4
Host institution Contact: as early as possible seminar round-trip contact important people Criteria reputation research environment: resources, expertise, collaboration, Note: host institution has to sign an Expression of Support I got sufficient support senior grant holders read my proposal Note: you have to take action! project controller for financial and administration aspects of the proposal internal advise committee interview training 5
Research project What s known? What s my contribution? What will be my impact? Relevance? Clear problem and clear goals (focus) Innovational aspects Why urgent? Why now? Why me? Important milestones Visibility Collaborations Creativity Convincing and fascinating Flexibility Host institution Before you start writing Why is it the best place? 6
General advice Show enthusiasm, drive, desire if you are not excited, the panel certainly won t be. Be clear and structured in what you propose. Avoid lists of unconnected items, instead build a story Be ambitious, aim high in your scientific goals Show that you want to move upwards. Think about and show a bold vision of where your field will go. Do not sink away in details. At the same time think through enough details for yourself, and demonstrate you also know the details to make things happen. Show confidence Use (colorful) pictures to convey the central ideas. 7
Some key aspects Panel members have to review more than 100 proposals. Quick impressions are important strong abstract clear goals clear structure ambitious, original plans reasonably realistic plans strong vision, personality strong CV Really work hard on your proposal and presentation show that you care 8
Help preparing ERC proposals Experience in research funding is helpful projects of smaller extent project contributions Comments from senior colleagues were most helpful. Also ask someone outside your field to read your proposal. For detailed information on required elements keep in touch with National contact point KOWI (Koordinierungsstelle EG der Wissenschaftsorganisationen) 9
When you get it Enjoy it! It is great feeling after all this work Preparation of the Grant Agreement Description of Work (based on the proposal) Supplementary agreement Grant Preparation Forms Negotiations with the host institution You are independent Get started Part-projects ERC Selection of good personnel My research team Dutch and Indian PhD Italian Postdoc Still one Postdoc opening Host institution Head of institute PI 10
ERC StG Programme overall Very prestigious, not really easy to get (2.5-3% success rate) A strong boost for your career leading role in collaboration, referee duties, lecturer, co-organizer of conferences, attracting further funds, Possibility for long-term independent research A bit long bureaucratic process but no bad experiences overall 11
12 http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2009/rtd-2009/index_en.cfm
Conclusion Julia Mischke Do not try to become a genius 13 Work on your early career!
Thank you for your attention André Mischke Questions a.mischke@uu.nl Subject: GAIN ERC-StG 14