'It's Very Much Worth the Effort'

Dr Richard Guest

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITNs) are one of the most popular schemes within Horizon 2020, and it’s easy to see why: they offer an opportunity for the recruitment of talented early career researchers to be trained in any discipline, whilst also enabling them to flex their wings across national and sectoral boundaries.

However, this popularity comes at a cost, and the success rates for them can make bleak reading. A perfect opportunity, then, to hear from a successful applicant about what’s involved and how best to prepare for the ‘trial by resubmission.’

Dr Richard Guest, from the School of Engineering and Digital Arts, has just received funding for AMBER (enhAnced Mobile BiomEtRics), an ITN that addresses a range of current issues around biometrics on mobiles, and stretches across five universities and seven industrial partners.

Grants Factory: Applying for Marie Curie ITNs

2-4pm, Wednesday 10 May 2017

Venue: TBC

Dr Richard Guest

Marie Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITNs) provide funding for doctoral training programmes run jointly between a number of institutions across Europe. They run for up to 4 years and are worth up to €4.5m. There is no limit to the disciplines which can apply, and the University currently has six ITNs running. One of these is Enhanced Mobile Biometrics (AMBER) in EDA, led by Dr Richard Guest.

The next call is due to open in the autumn with a deadline early in the New Year. Despite the triggering of Article 50 UK universities can still apply, and the Treasury has agreed to underwrite any grants that have been approved at the point the UK leaves the EU in March 2019. Richard has kindly agreed to talk about his experience of applying for these complex grants, what worked for him, what he would have done differently, and what people should bear in mind when starting to develop the collaborations.

The session is free and open to all, and tea and coffee will be provided. However, do drop me a line to let me know that you plan to come. 

Free Marie Curie Info & Proposal Writing Event

I don't know, you wait ages for one free European funding training event, and then three come along at the same time...Following on from the announcement of UKRO workshops on the ERC Starting Grants and FP7 Proposal Writing, they have added an event on the Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN) and Industy-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP). It will be an opportunity to both learn more about these schemes, but also to get some tips on writing a proposal for them. Venues and dates as follows:

• Invest Northern Ireland, Belfast: 10 Sept
• Aston University, Birmingham: 17 Sept
• Royal Society, Edinburgh: 20 Sept
• Natural History Museum, London: 28 Sept
  

The event is free for UKRO subscribers (of which Kent is one). Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, so be quick and put your name down here.

Marie Curie: Self Evaluation Tool

The EC has prepared a 'self evaluation tool' for anyone applying to the latest round of the Initial Training Networks (ITNs). It is based on the form given to assessors when the application is submitted.
Good idea!
But will applicants be ready for another form when they've completed the marathon of forms necessary for the application itself? I hope so; it would be good to assess the application prior to submission, and pick up on any shortcomings and weaknesses now rather than months down the line, with the rejection letter.