RESEARCH FUNDING AND PROPOSAL WRITING

Detlef Briesen Justus-Liebig University, Gießen

AGENDA

May 14 Keys elements of a good proposal – feasibility,

operability, practicability Components of a good proposal – summary,

concept, demand, motivation, expected results and practical implications, review of literature, methodology, planning, budget, co-operation partners and institutions

Proposals and applications – calls for applications and how to adopt

Exercises and group work

May 15 Important programs - research funding from the

English, French, and German speaking countries Meet the requirements – how to apply Discussion of selected proposals Exercises, group work, and competitive group work   May 16 Presentations of group work Certificates and awards

WHAT IS A GOOD PROPOSAL?

A good proposal is an application for funding, it is a money or a business issue

A good proposal shall convince a donor to spend money on an important issue

As there is a strong competition for grants only excellent proposals can be successful

The issue is not only relevant from a scientific perspective but also from a societal one

A good proposal should be embedded in a broader framework of scientific and other activities of the applicant

WHAT IS GOOD RESEARCH?

Good research satisfies the following criteria:

It thinks theoretically through and with data It develops empirically sound, reliable and

valid findings It uses methods which are demonstrably

appropriate to the research problem Where possible, it contributes to practice

and policy

Good research is

Feasible, operable, practical

A good proposal demonstrates that the planned project

Is not only an excellent idea but

Feasible, operable, practical

COMPONENTS OF A GOOD PROPOSAL

Component

Summary Always write at the very last

Concept Basic idea of the proposal

Demand Why must the research be done and what do we know after it we have not known before?

Motivation Why do you want to do the research?

Expected results and practical implications

What is the expected outcome?

Component

Review of literature Existing publications including your own

Methodology Which adequate methods do you use?

Planning Create a realistic schedule!

Budget Calculate a realistic budget!

Co-operation partners and institutions

With whom you have a longer co-operation already? Are the facilities adequate?

FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS - GERMANY

Browse DAAD Scholarship Finder Identify a suitable program Make a list of the requirements given

by the possible donor https://www.daad.de/deutschland/

stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-finding-scholarships/

FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS - EUROPE

Browse European Research Council Grants

Identify a suitable program Make a list of the requirements given

by the possible donor

http://erc.europa.eu/

WRITE AN APPLICATION FOR AN EUROPEAN RESEARCH GRANT