Winning an ERC Advanced Grant: some tips

TL;DR

This video provides advice and insights on writing a successful European Research Council (ERC) grant proposal.

Transcript

hello there this is a video if you're interested in the european research council grants the starting consolidator and advanced grant in this video i'm going to talk about our one advanced grant in the 2015 competition and if this is of interest to you stick around so first of all a bit of a disclaimer i have a sample size essentially of one i mean... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤳 Critical self-assessment and seeking advice from experienced colleagues are important steps before applying for an ERC grant.
• ⌛ Writing an ERC grant proposal requires a significant amount of time, energy, and focused effort.
• ✋ Being high-risk and demonstrating innovative ideas is crucial while still balancing trust and feasibility.

Questions & Answers

Q: How important is it to assess if you are in the target group before applying for an ERC grant?

Assessing if you are in the target group is crucial before applying for an ERC grant. It saves time and effort since the grants require a significant amount of work. Seek advice from colleagues, experts, or professionals at your university to determine if you are eligible before committing to writing the proposal.

Q: How long should you allocate for writing an ERC grant proposal?

It is recommended to allow at least six months for writing an ERC grant proposal. This time frame takes into account the extensive effort required to write both the 15-page proposal (B2) and the five-page executive summary (B1). Starting early is essential to avoid rushing and to have time for revisions and feedback.

Q: Should preliminary data be included in an ERC grant proposal?

Including preliminary data can strengthen an ERC grant proposal by demonstrating the feasibility of the major points. If needed, plan ahead and conduct quick experiments or trials to support your proposal's key ideas. However, be mindful of the time needed to gather and analyze this data within the grant proposal timeline.

Q: How should the writing process for an ERC grant proposal be approached?

There are two approaches to the writing process: writing B1 and B2 simultaneously or focusing on completing B2 first and then writing B1 afterwards. The simultaneous approach allows for back-and-forth refinement, while the sequential approach may provide clearer and more concise language. Both approaches have their challenges, so choose the one that works best for you.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares their experience and tips for writing a successful ERC Advanced Grant proposal.

• They emphasize the importance of critical self-assessment, seeking advice from colleagues and experts, and ensuring that you are in the target group for the grant.

• Starting the writing process early is crucial, and the proposal should demonstrate high-risk, innovative ideas while balancing trust and feasibility.

• Getting feedback on the proposal and spending time on creating clear and visually appealing figures are also important steps in the process.