1. Writing research proposals
Vladan Devedžić

2. A possible agenda General info about research programs Partner hunting
Inter-institutional and international cooperation
Application procedures
Implementing projects in specific research programs
Q & A

3. What are we going to do / talk about today?
The approach
some of the things not included in the Program Guide(s)
lessons learned
workshop
interactive approach

4. What are we going to do / talk about today?
Some of the things not included in the Program Guide(s) and lessons learned
Why do I want to submit a research proposal?
What should I do when contemplating writing a proposal?
What is the first thing to do when I decide to submit a proposal?
What is the first thing to look for in the call for proposals?
How to write a proposal?
Who writes the proposal?
How not to write the proposal?
How the proposal should be written?
What does proposal writing really look like in practice?

5. What are we going to do / talk about today?
Some of the things not included in the Program Guide(s) and lessons learned
relevant Websites, links and resources
eForm (pdf) for proposal writing
partner hunting - partner search vs. selecting partners

6. Why do I want to submit a research proposal?
Your reasons/rationale - please specify max 3 reasons
Comments
Your observations and information you have so far

7. What should I do when contemplating writing a proposal?
Horizon 2020
Erasmus+
Other EU funding opportunities

8. What is the first thing to do … ?
… when I decide to submit a proposal
to clarify (for myself) why I want it
to find out a specific funding scheme that best fits my needs, ideas,...
there can be many schemes, some may not be appropriate, more than one may be appropriate,...
that part of the Program Guides should be studied carefully (and not just rely on what other people say!)
to find out if a similar project has been already funded
project databases
information from NCPs, offices, etc.
information from International Relations offices at different universities

9. What is the first thing to do … ?
… when I decide to submit a proposal
to think twice about who should be the project coordinator
an important fact: UB usually accepts only 3 coordinations per call
the interest is huge
maybe someone from another university or from another institution can be the coordinator
to find out when the next call will be announced/published
to assemble the consortium before the call is published

10. What is the first thing to look for in the CFP?
Priorities (challenges, subtopics,...)
they are specified in each Program Guide (in a general way), as well as on program Websites
e.g., Erasmus+ > Funding > Guidelines, H2020 example, another H2020 example (TEL)
how to find priorities - an example
Horizon 2020 > Find your area > ICT Research & Innovation > Information and Communication Technologies > Work Programme
it is necessary to look at the last version of the Program Guide

11. What is the first thing to look for in the CFP?
Does my idea fit better with priorities of another program/action/call?
that's quite possible and happens very often
unfortunately, it usually requires changes in the proposal writing approach, different partners,...
check this out

12. How to write a proposal? Who writes the proposal? one person
yes, chances are that the person will "die"...
… but it doesn't have to be so
it is not necessarily the coordinator
that person must elaborate the proposal idea in his/her head in detail
others (if anyone) should only comment, not write

13. How to write a proposal? How not to write the proposal?
without a complete understanding of the funding scheme / type of proposal (action)
without complying with the rules of the game (from the Program Guide / Work program)
without a clear and already largely elaborated idea
without a crystal-clear picture about the project results and outcomes (and how to measure them)
in the last minute
with taking all conflicting opinions/ideas into account

14. How to write a proposal? How the proposal should be written?
before the call is published (at least 50%!)
with all partners' full understanding of what they can get if the proposal is accepted for funding
with all partners' full understanding of what they are expected to do and how to really participate if the proposal is accepted for funding
with complete commitment and belief that the proposal will be accepted for funding

15. How to write a proposal?
What does proposal writing really look like in practice?
easy, if everything from the previous slides is followed
the proposal writer should get familiarized with all the relevant Websites beforehand
recommendation: bookmarking (because of potentially different navigation logic)
unfortunately, deviations from the previous three slides are quite common in practice…
lack of compliance with the rules of the call
lack of compliance with the rules of the applicant institution
"too many cooks spoil the broth"
"cacophony" due to the last-minute panic or to the lack of a coherently elaborated idea

16. How to write a proposal?
What does proposal writing really look like in practice?
new partners can appear in the last minute (and it is usually a bad sign, or at least a trouble)
important information often arrives late
2-stage proposal approval at the applicant institution
following important Websites until the very deadline
transparency of information?