Writing competitive cooperation proposals

The last series of calls of FP7 are expected in July 2012. The selection of Cooperation proposals is based on Science, Implementation and Impact. The maximum evaluation score is 5 points per selection criterion and 15 points in total. Due to a tight budget per call and the high number of proposals, the competition is fierce. To be funded, a minimum score of 13 to 14 points is required.

The evaluation scoring and method for ranking proposals are fine-tuned in the last FP7 calls. It is crucial to draft an excellent (5 out of 5 points) Science section. A high score on Science positively influences the scores for Implementation and Impact.

Drafting the Science and Impact parts in parallel leads to an Impact section fitting the Science section. Therefore the deliverables must be linked to the envisaged impact on the EU challenges and strong Impact statements underpinning the objectives of the Science part must be drafted. These impact statements are the basis for drafting measurements for dissemination, further research and exploitation using general exploitation and dissemination strategies.

Strategic interests of partners influence the Science and Impact parts and we demonstrate how in turn this affects the structuring of the Implementation part; solid management structures and procedures as well as progress monitoring. The management structures and procedures in the consortium agreement models will be discussed.

Training objectives

To provide researchers, project managers and EU liaison officers with strategic input for writing competitive proposals.

Who should attend?

This workshop will be of value for researchers as well as administrators, experienced and non-experienced.

Methodology

The seminar will be in English, with no translation. The trainer will first provide the participants with general information on the Framework Programme affecting the writing of FP proposals. Subsequently the Guide for Applicants and the project proposal format will be dissected. The trainers will demonstrate how the work plan (Part B1) affects the Implementation (Part B2) and Impact (Part B3). In parallel groups tasks will be given to learn how to draft more competitive proposals based on case studies and how to use the provided information and strategies in practice. The workshop is highly interactive and periods of discussions are included in the programme to promote exchange of views between participants and trainer. Each participant will receive an extensive guide.

Trainers

Mette Skraastad from Yellow Research. Mette followed a research career as a molecular biologist and has specialised in technology transfer, writing European and national collaborative project proposals and project and financial management. She has worked as EU liaison officer and knowledge transfer officer at the University of Amsterdam, as research manager at the Academic Medical Center and as a business developer in the biotech industry.

Lotte Jaspers from Yellow Research. Lotte has extensive knowledge on the Rules for Participation and the EC Grant Agreement for FP7 and was a member for the Netherlands of the commission consultation group. She has worked as a legal and general specialist in EU projects and technology transfer.

Programme

9.15             Registration and Coffee

Part I          Conceptual Framework FP7

Overview FP7, industrial participation, EU objectives, minimum requirements, evaluation procedure

Part II         B1 Science

Theory: Guide for Applicants and the Rules for Evaluation: structure of B1, objectives, EU challenges, work packages, deliverables, milestones, Gantt chart and PERT chart.

Part III:      B3 Impact

Theory: Results as outcome of the Project

Group Work: Defining results

12:30           Lunch (coffee and tea breaks are scheduled in the morning and afternoon!)

Strategies: How to create impact by structuring your project (B1 section) and their dissemination, exploitation research possibilities (B3 section).

Part IV:       B2 Implementation

Theory: Management structures, procedures, progress monitoring

Group work: Drawing management structures

Strategies: Democratic Approach versus Business Model

16:30           End of course

Course fee

Course fee for a Yellow Research course is 425,00 euro per participant, including coffee & tea, lunch and course materials. This course is also available for in house training at your institution. The price for a full course day in house is 3.275,00 euro excluding travel and subsistence.

Date, time, location

Date(s): not scheduled, available as in-house event

Time: 9:15 am – 4:30 pm

Location: Yellow Research, Herengracht 495, 1017 BT, Amsterdam

Bookings

Click on the blue button ‘Book this course’ on the top of this page to book online or to download the booking form. For questions about this course, please contact Sarah Jones at jones[at]yellowresearch[dot]nl.