Towards Horizon 2020 Laboratorio di scrittura dei progetti EnriqueOrtega CaliforniaState University

http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm?pg=home

Horizon 2020 The economic context has changed dramatically Horizon is responding to the following problems: Insufficient contribution of researchand and innovation to solving societal challenges Insufficient technologicalleadership leadership and innovation capability The need to strengthenthe the science base Insufficient cross-border coordination

Horizon 2020 STRUCTURE Horizon 2020 brings together: Framework Programmefor Research Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)5.

Horizon 2020 OBJECTIVES Five objectives have been set: 1. Strengthen the science by improving performance, stimulating emerging technologies, encouraging cross-border training. 2. Boost industrial leadership and competitiveness through enabling industrial technologies, improving access to risk finance, and stimulating innovation.

Horizon 2020 OBJECTIVES 3. Increase the contribution of research and innovation to the resolution of key societal challenges 4. Provide customer-driven scientific and technical support to Union policies 5. Help to better integrate the knowledge triangle - research, researcher training and innovation

KEY PRIORITIES Horizon 2020 will focus resources on threedistinct, yet mutually reinforcing, priorities. These priorities correspond to those of Europe 2020

KEY PRIORITIES The Europe 2020 strategy identified research and innovation as central to achieving the objectives of smart, sustainableand and inclusivegrowth.

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm

3 KEY PRIORITIES 1) Excellent Science: Support the best ideas Develop talent within Europe Provide researchers with access to priority research infrastructure Make Europe an attractive location for the world's best researchers.

3 KEY PRIORITIES 2) Industrial Leadership. Promote activities where business sets the agenda. Maximize the growth potential of companies by helping innovative SMEs to grow into world-leading leading companies. Provide dedicated support for nanotechnologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing.

3 KEY PRIORITIES 3) Societal Challenges. Address major concernsshared shared by citizens in Europe and elsewhere. Bring together resources and knowledgeacross different fields, technologies and disciplines, including social sciences and the humanities. Cover activities from research to marketwith a new focus on innovation-related activities piloting, demonstration, test-beds, and support for public procurement and market uptake.

Quantifying economic, competitiveness and social impacts Horizon 2020 will stimulate Europe's economic growth, generating 0.53 percent of extra GDP. It will enhance Europe's competitiveness, increasing its exports by 0.79 percent, and reducing its imports by 0.1 percent. By 2030, it is expected to generate an extra 0.92 percent (0.53+0.39) of GDP, and 1.37 percent (0.79+0.58) of exports.

Will Your Grant help Horizon/Europe 2020 Meet these Objectives?

BEFORE YOU START TO WRITE

Good NEWS!

Reality Check!

Grant Writing Success The difference between success and failure is not only from the quality of the science but from the quality of the grant application. Poor grant preparation may turn good science into a non-fundable grant proposal.

Thoroughly plan your research Make surethe research you are considering can make a difference: Will itcreate new knowledge? Can it open up a new area of discovery? Does it develop a new approach to a major problem? Get outside opinions on that judgment.

Find your niche What are the most promising research needs and opportunities in your field? Look for an area where you have the skills to be an expert and make an impact. Plan a series of research goals to accomplish during the next 10 years. Divide your long-term goals into smaller components you could accomplish during the four or five years of a grant.

Propose projects that: Address a highly significant problem. Are innovative can create new knowledge. Outline Specific Aimsand Hypotheses. Outline experiments. Assess feasibility. Do you have all needed resources and expertise? Is the project too big for your time and budget.

Understand innovation Whatwill your project contributeto to your field? Are these contributions innovative? Who says they are innovative? Do you have the necessary time and resources to complete the research?

How good are you at explaining your research?

Know how to write to your audiences Understand how to write for two audiences: 1) Assigned reviewers who have expertise in your field 2) Experts in other fields. Reviewers must grasp the essence of your project and explain it to the others. You must convince all reviewers how your project can create new knowledge in your field.

How reviewers determine if your application is high impact. To gauge a project's impact, reviewers use five criteria: Significance Innovation Approach Investigator Environment

Preliminary Tasks Write up your recent work and submit it to appropriate peer-reviewed reviewed journal(s). One publication as first author for every year after having obtained your highest degree Do this well in advance so that the work appears in your application as "published", "in press" or "a submitted manuscript". Complete(pilot) studies, so that their results can be included in the application.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF ART OF YOUR RESEARCH IDEAS?

YOUR RESEARCH IDEAS Putting your Idea into a Project Format. Funders must know what you plan to do in order to decide if they want to invest in your project. You must define: the problem goals and objectives specific actions

A suggested approach: Problem: What is the problem/need to be addressed? Objective(s): What are the proposed outcomesthat that will address this problem? Significance: Why is it important to accomplish these objectives? What impact will they have? Methods: How will each objective be accomplished? What activities will take place? when?

YOUR RESEARCH IDEAS Do you have a clear, concise and testable hypothesis? Have you designed specific experiments that will test your hypothesis directly? Do you have FOCUSEDobjectives and aims?

Getting Started Reviewers are many times overwhelmed with applications and reviews. They often carry out the reviews under less- than-ideal conditions: evenings, weekends, holidays, at meetings. They may wait until the last minute to begin their review.

Getting Started Reviewers often do their reading in bits- and-pieces. Have your application organized so that it can be read in this way. You do not want reviewers to have to go back to the beginning after each break.

Eight Basic Questions Reviewers Ask 1. How high are the intellectual quality and merit of the study? 2. What is its potential impact? 3. Is the research likely to produce new dataand and conceptsor or confirm existing hypotheses? 4. Is the hypothesis validand and have you presented evidence supporting it?

Eight Basic Questions Reviewers Ask 5. Are the aimslogical? 6. Are the proceduresappropriate, adequate, and feasible for the research? 7. Are the investigators qualified? Have they shown competence, credentials, and experience? 8. Are the facilities adequateand and the environment conducive to the research?

Can you describe the rationale and the specific aims of your planned research in less than one page? Can you clearly explain the significance of your research in the context of your field?

Suggestion Find funded projects, experts in your field, their publications and grants, and study sections that reviewed their applications CORDIS http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/projects_en.html http://erc.europa.eu/erc-funded-projects

Writing your grant project

Title The TITLE of your project sets the first impression. The title should be clear and unambiguous It is often used to route the application to the appropriate reviewers. Think of your title as a mini-abstract

Title A good title should paint a quick picture of the key idea(s) of your project. Try and use only a single sentence for your title. If the sentence is too long try removing some words.

Notice that both of the following titles use basically the same words, except in a different order. Title #1-Red Haired Musicians and their Preference for Musical Style Title #2-Music Style Preference of Red Haired Musicians The project with Title #1 appears to be focused on Red Haired Musicians. The project with Title #2appears to be focused on Musical Style Preference.

Title The words you use in your title should clearly reflect the focus of your proposal. The most important words should come first, then the less important words. Title #2-Music Style Preference of Red Haired Musicians

Try to remove words from your title that are not necessary. Title #1-The Systematic Development of a Local Initiative to Create a Learning Center for Community Education Title #2-A Local Learning Center for Community Education

Title A two part title. the first part remains general the second part more specific "The control of secretion of growth hormone: mechanism of action of somatostatin.

Concept and objectives This section should serve as a succinct description (abstract)) of the proposal even when it is separated from the application. it must stand on its own. It is the first part that is read, and this sets the first impression. The primary reviewer(s) read the entire application others on the review committee may only read this section.

Concept and objectives Review committee members often study the application weeks or months before the meetings. They then quickly review only this section just before the meetings in order to recall the essentials.

Concept and objectives Use this section to show your knowledge of the funder. Key concerns of the funder can be identified in relation to your proposed project. The best time to prepare the Project Overview is after you have completed the entire proposal and you understand all aspects of your proposal very well.

Concept and objectives The contents: hypotheses, objectives, approaches, research plan, and significance. State the hypotheses to be tested. Give the long-term objectives. State the specific aims. Make reference to how the proposal is directly related to the mission and objectives of the agency to which application is being made. Describe concisely the research design and methods. Tell why the proposal is unique, important, significant, and worth supporting.

Concept and objectives Avoid giving the reviewers the opportunity to say things like: Not an original idea Rationale is weak Writing is vague Uncertain outcomes Problem is not important Proposal is unfocused Project is too large.

Progress beyond state of art This section should answer 3 questions: what is known, what is not known, and why is it essential to find out. Critically evaluate the relevant literature: not just an uncritical list of past research projects. Discuss all sides of discrepancies in published results. Identify specifically the gaps and contradictions that you will clarify. Recognize the relevance of your proposal to your hypotheses and long-term objectives.

Progress beyond state of art First, decide which facts or statistics best support the project. Be sure the data you present are accurate! Information that is out of date or incorrect will cause the funder to question the entire proposal.

Progress beyond state of art The solution should appear feasible. example of a solid statement of need: "Breast cancer kills. But statistics prove that regular check-ups catch most breast cancer in the early stages, reducing the likelihood of death. Hence, a program to encourage preventive check-ups will reduce the risk of death due to breast cancer."

Progress beyond state of art Avoid circular reasoning. Circular reasoning for building a community swimming pool: "The problem is that we have no pool in our community. Building a pool will solve the problem." A more persuasive case would cite: a pool offers a neighborhood opportunities for recreation, exercise, and physical therapy programs. The statement states the audience's need for a facility and concludes with the connection between the proposed usage and potential benefits to the target.

Progress beyond state of art This section must show that your proposed project is definitely needed and should be funded. Indicate how the problems that will be addressed in your project will help the EU funder in fulfilling their own goals and objectives. As you write, keep the EU funder in your mind as a "cooperating partner" committed to the same concerns that you are.

S/T methodology Objectivesare the measurable outcomesof the program. Your objectives must be specific, measurable, and achievablein a specified time period. Put the objectives in a logical and sequential order. Describe the relationship of each objective to the overall goal.

S/T methodology Goal: Creation of an after-school program to help children read better. Objective: Our program will assist 50 children in improving their reading scores by one grade levelas demonstratedby standardized reading testsadministered after participating in the program for six months.

S/T methodology There are at least four types of objectives: Behavioral -A human action is anticipated. Example: 50 of the 70 children participating will learn to swim. Performance-A specific time frame within which a behavior will occur, at an expected proficiency level. Example: 50 of the 70 children will learn to swim within six months and will pass a basic swimming proficiency test.

S/T methodology Process-The manner in which something occurs. Example: Wewill document the teaching methods utilized, identifying those with the greatest success. Product-A tangible item results. Example: A manual will be created to be used in teaching swimming to this age and proficiency group in the future.

S/T methodology The objectives have stated what you propose. Now describe how you propose to fulfill the aims. 1. Describe the overall study design. Study groups (subjects, populations) and the rationale for their selection should be described. 2. Description of study groups should include: inclusion and exclusion criteria potentially confounding variables estimates of availability and accessibility, recruitment strategies likelihood of subject accrual.

S/T methodology Explain the processes for data collection, analysis and interpretation. Description of statistical analyses should include: Justification of sample size and power calculations. Procedures for data flow, data management, data quality, and database integrity and security A plan for data sharing should be included.

S/T methodology Milestones Milestones are the small steps or specific aims which will allow you to achieve your larger program goals. You need to create a timetable which details when you will complete each milestone on the road to completing your final program goals.

S/T methodology Provide a brief tentative sequence and timetable for each work package. What are your milestones? List them in sequential order. Be realistic!

S/T methodology Deliverables Once you have achieved your program goal(s) you need to prepare a final document to the grantor This report should detail your final results, a critical reflection of your process and concluding considerations. You must have a set schedule for when you plan on delivering this document to the necessary authorities and you must detail what type of report you will write

S/T methodology YOU MUST HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS! Discuss potential difficulties and limitations of your proposed procedures. Give alternative procedures to achieve your specific aims/objectives (milestones/deliverables) in case your proposed plans go wrong! State clearly possible weaknesses in your research and respond to such with alternative plans (i.e. preempt the criticisms).

The new system for the evaluation and monitoring of Horizon 2020 will be based on a comprehensive, well-timed and harmonised strategy, with a strong focus on: Throughputs Output Results Impacts.

Evaluation Describe exactly how you will decide whether or not your project has been successful achieved its objectives. The Evaluation Plan will tell the prospective funding agency how you will be going about showing them at the end of the project that their investment in you was a good one.

Formative evaluation/process evaluation ways to gain feedback on the project while it is being conducted concerned with the activities of the project. Summative evaluation/product evaluation ways to show that the project fulfilled that which was originally proposed concerned with the stated objectives of the project

Results Dissemination Finally, you must specify: The scientific articles you plan on writing. Where do you intend to publish your results? Which journals? Which conferences? Book chapters? Will you be publishing periodic reports?

Simplify and breakup long, involved sentences and paragraphs. Use short simple sentences; they are much easier on the reader. Your goal is communication, not literature. Look carefully for typographical and grammatical mistakes, omitted information, and errors in figures and tables. Sloppy work will definitely suffer in review.

State clearly what is novel, and what is merely confirmatory. State explicitly how the proposal relates to the mission, objectives and priorities of the agency. Extensive and intensive internal peer-review review is essential.

Ensure that a late draft (not an early one) is examined by at least two colleagues who have experience with: the peer review process your scientific area to check relevance, accuracy, ambiguities and quality of science

*International Funding Opportunities at the NIH Enrique Ortega

Foreign Research Opportunities *EXTRAMURAL *Foreign Researchers Planning to Conduct Research OUTSIDE the United States * Does your research present special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions that are not readily available in the United States? * In order to receive NIH funding, your research should benefit the health of the American population, as well as your local population. * In general, NIH can make grant awards directly to foreign institutions. However, some specific NIH grant programs (such as the Small Business Innovation Research programs) are limited to applicants who are U.S. citizens.

Foreign Research Opportunities *INTRAMURAL *Foreign Researchers Planning to Conduct Research at NIH *The NIH Division of International Services (http://dis.ors.od.nih.gov/index.html ) has a Visiting Program that provides opportunities for foreign scientists to train and conduct collaborative research at the NIH. http://dis.ors.od.nih.gov/visitingprogram/01_vpmain.html *Foreign Students Looking for Opportunities to Study in the United States: *The NIH has partnerships with several countries that allow foreign postdoctoral fellows to train at NIH before returning to their home country. These partnerships can be found at: http://www.training.nih.gov/postdoctoral/international.asp

Foreign Research Opportunities *Foreign Researchers Planning to Conduct Research IN the United States *If you have already made arrangements to visit and/or work at an American institution, you may be able to apply for NIH funding. However, the NIH does not actively match foreign scientists with American universities and institutions. *You must have a valid work visa to conduct research at a U.S. institution. http://dis.ors.od.nih.gov/visa/01_visamain.html

Foreign Research Opportunities *Foreign Institutions Collaborating with a U.S. Institution *In general, the NIH allows foreign institutions to apply for grants that include consortia or subcontracts with U.S. institutions, and it also allows U.S. institutions to apply for grants that include foreign consortia or subcontracts. *A list of some specific NIH programs designed to foster international collaboration is: http://grants.nih.gov/archive/grants/foreign/collaborations_partne rships.htm

Foreign Research Opportunities *Foreign students looking for opportunities to study in the United States: *NIH s Fogarty International Center maintains a directory of other organizations that can provide fellowship support for students. http://www.fic.nih.gov/funding/nonnih/pages/default.aspx. *U.S. citizen-students looking for opportunities to study outside the United States: *Students receiving Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (F or T awards) through U.S. institutions may conduct research in other countries, provided that research has prior approval by the awarding NIH IC, and that the fellow follows NIH policies and guidelines for conducting research in foreign countries. *Some ICs at NIH offer special programs for global health research. See our page on Foreign-Specific Programs for more information.

*National Institute of Health NIH Overview

*National Institute of Health NIH *The institute made up of 27 Institutes and Centers. *Each Institute or Center has its own specific research agenda and administrates its own budget. *Each has its own independent research needs/wants

*National Cancer Institute *Center for Cancer Research (CCR) (NCI) *CCR conducts basic and clinical cancer research and develops novel therapeutic interventions for cancer and HIV patients. *Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) *DCEG conducts population and multidisciplinary research to discover the genetic and environmental determinants of cancer and new approaches to cancer prevention.

*National Eye Institute (NEI) *NEI carries out basic and clinical research to develop therapeutic interventions for the prevention and treatment of visual system diseases. *National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) *NHLBI performs scientific and clinical research to better understand the biology and clinical pathology of heart, lung, and blood diseases. *National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) *NHGRI conducts laboratory, clinical, and behavioral research focused on human genetic disease and develops methods for the detection, prevention, and treatment of genetic disorders.

*National Institute on Aging (NIA) * NIA provides an academic setting for a comprehensive effort to understand aging through multidisciplinary investigator-initiated research. *National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) * NIAAA aims to identify the causes and consequences of alcoholism and excessive drinking, and to understand the underlying biological processes of disease. *National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) * Division of Intramural Research * NIAID conducts basic and clinical research related to immunology, allergy, and infectious diseases. * Vaccine Research Center (VRC) * The VRC s mission is to conduct research that facilitates the development of effective vaccines for human disease, with a focus on AIDS.

*National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) *NIAMS focuses on studying diseases that involve bones, joints, muscles, and skin through clinical and laboratory research. *National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) *NIBIB integrates engineering and physical sciences with the life sciences to advance basic research and medical care with biomedical technologies. *Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) *NICHD focuses its research on the biology of human development and reproduction to ensure the birth of healthy babies and the health of infants and children into adulthood.

*National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) * NIDCD conducts basic and clinical research in the areas of human communication. *National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) * NIDCR conducts basic laboratory, translational, and clinical research in support of craniofacial and dental health using the latest techniques in biomedical science. *National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) * NIDDK conducts research related to metabolic, digestive, kidney, and hematologic diseases and diabetes mellitus. *National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) * NIDA conducts state-of-the-art research on basic mechanisms that underlie drug abuse and addiction, and develops new methods of treatment.

*National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) *The NIEHS aims to reduce the burden of human illness and disability by understanding how the environment influences the development and progression of human disease. *National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) *NIMH researches the mechanisms of normal brain function at the behavioral, systems, and molecular levels, and conducts clinical investigations of mental illness. *National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) *NIMHD conducts research on differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups. *National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) *NINDS conducts basic, translational, and clinical research aimed at relieving the burden of neurological disorders and stroke.

* National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) * NINR seeks to understand the underlying biological mechanisms of a range of symptoms, their effect on patients, and how patients respond to interventions. * National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) * NCBI creates and maintains databases for the medical and scientific communities and general public, including literature, molecular, and genomic databases. * Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) * The Lister Hill Center conducts and supports research and development with the goal of improving access to high quality biomedical information for individuals around the world. * Center for Information Technology (CIT) * CIT develops leading-edge computational methods and tools to solve complex biomedical laboratory and clinical research problems. * National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) * NCCAM conducts basic, clinical, and translational research focusing on the role of the brain in perceiving, modifying, and managing pain. * NIH Clinical Center (CC) * The Clinical Center is the nation s largest hospital devoted entirely to leading-edge clinical biomedical research.

*Special International *National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Global Health Programs and Activities Programs * Collaborating Centers of Excellence, a global network of 10 centers which each include a research institution in a developing country paired with at least one partner academic institution in a developed country. * The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which supports foreign institutions in Sub-Saharan African Countries that receive U.S. President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). * Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, which coordinates and supports multicountry, multidisciplinary research activities that address the prevention and treatment of chronic noncommunicable diseases. * Committee on Preventing the Global Epidemic of Cardiovascular Disease: Meeting the Challenges in Developing Countries, convened by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

*Special International Programs *National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, International Awards *For international investigators seeking funding. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/int/pages/default.aspx *Office of Research Training and Special Programs Contact *Name Dr. Paula Strickland, Director *Email niaidforeignawards@niaid.nih.gov *If your email is not in English, allow time for translation.

*Special International Programs *Minority Health and Health Disparities *International Research Training Program *long term strategy to establish a cadre of biomedical, behavioral, and social science researchers working to reduce the disparate health burdens among underserved populations in the United States and ultimately eliminate those disparities.

*Special International Programs

*Special International Programs *National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Office of International Activities (OIA) *The Office of International Activities (OIA) supports the coordination and development of programs and initiatives that foster international research, training and collaborations that are relevant to the institute's mission. *http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/areas/office_of_intern ational_activities/index.htm

*http://worldreport.nih.gov/about.cfm *WORLD RePORT *World RePORT is an illustrative mapping database system designed to facilitate communication and coordination of biomedical research funded by major government agencies and philanthropic organizations around the world. *Funded research can be searched by keywords in project titles and abstracts, filtered by country, funding organization, or any combination thereof. *Data is summarized by both the funding organizations and the research organizations performing the research.

*The NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) *Is comprised of intramural programs embedded in 23 of the NIH Institutes and Centers, and located on one or more of the NIH campuses.

* http://irp.nih.gov/our-research/principal-investigators

*Grant Application Process

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/grants_process.htm

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/intro2oer.htm

*Where to Find the Calls?

* http://www.fic.nih.gov/pages/default.aspx *The Fogarty International Center is dedicated to advancing the mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by supporting and facilitating global health research conducted by U.S. and international investigators, building partnerships between health research institutions in the U.S. and abroad, and training the next generation of scientists to address global health needs.

*Fogarty Programs

*http://www.grants.gov/