msca doctoral networks application & evaluation …

MSCA DOCTORAL NETWORKS APPLICATION & EVALUATION CRITERIA

FFG Academy 2021

YOUR CHALLENGE

… it is not only to describe a research project, but also the related training plan, supervision arrangements, the expected impact etc.

… to fit everything into the limited space of 30 pages for the three main sections of the proposal

© FFG 2020 | Austrian Research Promotion Agency | www.ffg.at 2

KEY DOCUMENTS TO WORK WITH

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The MSCA Work Programme: legally binding, describing all actions. Read the introduction and the section about the Doctoral Networks including the definitions for the Doctoral Networks towards the end of the document.

The Guide for Applicants (GfA) for DN: supporting document to the MSCA Work Programme, providing additional information and clarifications to understand the rules

The GfA will be accompanied by the following documents:o

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the Part B Template, including the templates for the letters of commitment for associated partners / letters of pre-agreement for Joint Doctoratesinformation about the MSCA evaluation processlist of scientific Key words

The Model Grant Agreement


https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2021-2022/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2021-2022_en.pdf

https://rea.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-06/DN%202021%20-%20Guide%20for%20Applicants.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-msca-dn_en.pdf

https://rea.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-06/MSCA%20keywords.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/agr-contr/unit-mga_he_en.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-msca-2021-dn-01-01;callCode=HORIZON-MSCA-2021-DN-01;freeTextSearchKeyword=;matchWholeText=true;typeCodes=1;statusCodes=31094501,31094502,31094503;programmePeriod=null;programCcm2Id=43108390;programDivisionCode=null;focusAreaCode=null;destination=null;mission=null;geographicalZonesCode=null;programmeDivisionProspect=null;startDateLte=null;startDateGte=null;crossCuttingPriorityCode=null;cpvCode=null;performanceOfDelivery=null;sortQuery=sortStatus;orderBy=asc;onlyTenders=false;topicListKey=callTopicSearchTableState

THE APPLICATION IS COMPOSED OF…

Researchers’ table, Role of organisations, Gender Equality Plan,Ethics self-assessment, Security questionnaire, Abstract, Unit cost budget table,…

1. Excellence

2. Impact

3. Implementation

4. Description of the participating organisations (beneficiaries and associated partners)

5. Letter of Commitment for associated partners

Letters of pre-agreement for Joint Doctorates

B1 :4 pages for Start Page, Table of Contents, List of Participating Organisationsmax. 30 pages for 1.-3.= 34 pages

B2: No overall page limit for 4.-5.


PART B

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B1 and B2 must be submitted as two separatedocuments, named as−−

Proposal Number-Acronym-Part B1.pdfProposal Number-Acronym-Part B2.pdf

Max. size for each document is 10 MB

Strictly stick to the structure of the template and the layout requirements!

Experts will be instructed to ignore hyperlinks


1 – EXCELLENCE

WHY FOLLOW THE TEMPLATE ?

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Structure and headings are based on the evaluation criteria: Excellence, Impact & Implementation!

Therefore: each section of part B is important – each decimal point of the score counts!


EXCELLENCE – SUBCRITERION 1

Quality and pertinence ofthe project’s research andinnovation objectives (andthe extent to which they areambitious, and go beyondthe state of the art)

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Introduction:o

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Briefly explain why your idea/research is important – in which way is it relevant to society? More in detail in the “Impact” sectionShow that there is a need to train a new generation of researchers in the area concerned

Be very clear in the description of the objectives! Get to the point quickly -details can be explained later on in the proposal.



Quality and pertinence ofthe project’s research andinnovation objectives (andthe extent to which they areambitious, and go beyondthe state of the art)

• Show that the proposed research is innovative and how it will contribute to advancements within the field, also with regard to existing doctoral programmes



Soundness of the proposedmethodology (includinginterdisciplinary approaches, consideration of the genderdimension and other diversity aspects if relevant for the researchproject, and the quality ofopen science practices)

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Arrange the description of the planned research activities along work packages. Should be consistent with the “Implementation section”!

Describe how expertise and methods from different disciplines will be brought together. If no interdisciplinary aspects, provide a justification.

Gender and diversity aspects in context of the planned research activities. If not relevant – justify.



Soundness of the proposedmethodology (includinginterdisciplinary approaches, consideration of the gender dimension and other diversity aspects if relevant for the researchproject, and the quality ofopen science practices)

• Open science practices as an integral part of the proposed methodology (new), e.g.: o

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measures to ensure reproducibility of research outputs / research data and early and open sharing of research (preregistration, registered reports, pre-prints)IPR considerationsFAIR Data Management Plan (DMP) as mid-term deliverable, revised towards the end of the projectdoes not refer to outreach actions that may be part of communication, dissemination and exploitation activities described in the “Impact section”If not relevant - justify



Quality and credibility of the training programme (including transferableskills, inter/multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral and gender as well as other diversity aspects)

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Network-wide training:o

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Scientific training (the individual sub project of each researcher)Additional scientific/technical training Training in soft/transferable/ complementary skills (e.g. Open Science)

Gender and other diversity aspects in context of the training activities

Complementarity with programmes locally offered by beneficiaries

Intersectoral: show how the non-academic sector contributes to the training programme


Table „Recruitment Deliverables per Beneficiary:




Quality of the supervision(including mandatory jointsupervision for industrialand joint doctorate projects)

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Good to have „Supervisor teams“ (also for “Standard DNs”), e.g. one from each sector (academic/non-academic) or from different disciplines (if applicable)

Refer to the new MSCA Guidelines on supervision and the Charter and Code


https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/bb02d56e-9b3c-11eb-b85c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

https://www.euraxess.at/jobs/charter

CHARTER & CODE - SUPERVISION

Employers and/or funders should ensure that a person is clearly identified to whom researchers can refer for the performance of their professional duties, and should inform the researchers accordingly.Such arrangements should clearly define that the proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in supervising research, have the time, knowledge, experience, expertise and commitment to be able to offer the research doctoral candidate appropriate support and provide for the necessary progress and review procedures, as well as the necessary feedback mechanisms.


https://www.euraxess.at/jobs/charter


Reflection exercise: think about how you can break down

your project idea / work into Workpackages!

Definition: a Workpackage (WP) is a major subdivision of the proposed project

2 - IMPACT

IMPACT IN MSCA DOCTORAL NETWORKS

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The evaluation criterion „impact“ for MSCA Doctoral Networks in Horizon Europe covers 4 subcriteria four subchapters (which differslightly in scope from H2020)Take some time to read – for a more or less clear understanding of keyterminology related to Impact in Horizon EuropeFocus of the four subcriteria: 2.1 structuring doctoral training at European level2.2 career perpectives and employability of the researchers2.3 measures to maximise expected outcomes & impacts 2.4 contribution to expected scientific, societal and economic impactsSuggestion: Use the aspects of this section as rational for the DN

Material to understand andwrite section 2 „Impact“

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Definitions on Results, Research output, Outcomes, Impacts, Pathway to impact: see annotated template part B, or the Horizon Europe Programme Guide or Webinar on Dissemination and Exploitation in Horizon Europe, EC, 9 June 21

MSCA DN Call texthave the expectedoutcomes and impact of a Doctoral Network in mind, from the funder‘sperspective

Writing a Proposal for the MSCA Individual Fellowships 18

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/other/event210609.htm

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-msca-2021-dn-01-01;callCode=HORIZON-MSCA-2021-DN-01

IMPACT SUBCRITERION 1

Contribution to structuring doctoral training at the European level and to strengthening European innovation capacity, including the potential for:

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meaningful contribution of the non-academic sector to the doctoral training, as appropriate to the implementation mode and research field

developing sustainable elements of doctoral programmes

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Keep in mind the expected outcomes for doctoral networks – WP 2021

Focus on the Doctoral training as such (from the perspective of the programme)



Credibility of the measures to enhance the career perspectives and employability of researchers and contribution to their skills development

• Impact of the research and training on the fellow‘s careers

• Keep in mind the expected outcomes for doctoral networks – WP 2021, in particular mentioned for the supported doctoral candidates


In view of the call text: What are the expected outcomes

of your DN – which knowledge and skills will doctoral candidates have developed and which effect do you think will this have an their future

careers?


Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities.

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One subchapter including communication

Distinct differentiation between “project” vs “results” and “dissemination” vs “communication”

Communication: Start with fact finding instead of inventing the wheel twice: use of existing formats


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Plan for dissemination andexploitation activities, includingcommunication activities

Strategy for the management ofintellectual property, foreseenprotection measures


Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the dissemination and exploitation plan, including communication activities.

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Description in this subchapter = as first version of the “plan” a more detailed plan required later as mandatory deliverable

Strategy for Managing IP relevant item for the Consortium agreement later on

Make sure that plans in 2.3 are integrated in section 3 -Implementation


INTRODUCTION TO THE CONCEPTS OF COMMUNICATION, DISSEMINATION & EXPLOITATION

Stephanie Weber,European IP Helpdesk c/o EURICE – European Research and Project Office GmbH

Helpful material: Presentation from a webinar organised by the EC 9 June 2021 https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/other/event210609.htm

https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/other/event210609.htm

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targeted at the general public to create awareness among the general public about the project and its results, implications for citizens and society −

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done in a way that can be understood by non-specialists for the researcher to understand better public concern and interest

targeted at peers - scientific or „the wider research and innovation community“, industry & other commercial actors, professional organisations, policymakers− to communicate research results, transfer

them into other research settings, for commercial purposes or policy making

COMMUNICATIONDISSEMINATION

DISSEMINATION IS NOT COMMUNICATION

DISSEMINATION & COMMUNICATION MEASURES EXAMPLES

Dissemination measures

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papers at conferences

publications in journals

open dataCommunication measures

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press articles

researchers’ night

blogs & videos

Writing a Proposal for the MSCA Individual Fellowships 2525

OPEN ACCESS

What does it mean? Peer-reviewedscientific publications resulting from MSCA funding are deposited in open access repositories, i.e. free of charge online access for the user.

No embargo anymore; clear indications on the conditions for repositories etc. in the MGA and in the HE Programm Guide

RESEARCH DATA

For projects generating/collecting data, including reusing data

during the project a Data management plan is required – to make data FAIR –findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) deliverable Template on Funding Portal, section “templates and forms”

in the application, information on “how will data be managed” needed: several items to be provided, see annotated part B, max. 1 page

26

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/reference-documents;programCode=HORIZON


The magnitude and importance of the project’s contribution to the expected scientific, societal and economic impacts

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New subsection in Horizon Europe Remember the understanding of “impact” as wider long term effects on society (including the environment), the economy and science, enabled by the outcomes of R&I investments – generally some time after the end of the project. Mind the definitions & examples in the template for “magnitude” and “importance” and the examples for scientific, economic, societal impact provided in the templateprovide a narrative tailored to your DN


3 - IMPLEMENTATION


IMPLEMENTATION SUBCRITERION 1

Quality and effectiveness of the work plan, assessment of risks and appropriateness of the effort assigned to work packages


WORK PLAN

Work Package:major subdivision of the project

Examples:••••

WP ManagementWP TrainingWP Dissemination & CommunicationWP Quality Control


WORK PLAN

Work Package:major subdivision of the project

Examples:•••

WP Data CollectionWP ModellingWP Clinical Translation


WORK PLAN

Deliverable:distinct output of the project, sent as a report to theEC/REA

Examples:•••

Report on preliminary assessment of therapy responseTraining Summary BookCareer Development Plan (mandatory)


WORK PLAN

Milestone:a control point that helps to chart progress

For instance completion of a key deliverable,a critical decision point for further development etc.


WORK PLAN

Milestone:a control point that helps to chart progress

Examples: •••

Prototype installed & testedRelevant data collectedRecruitment completed


WORK PLAN

Milestone vs. Deliverable:


a good understanding allows to• write a convincing work plan• monitor the project• do the reporting towards the EC

YDS



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Make sure everything is coherent & well connected: objectives - WPs - deliverables - milestones

Assign the effort to each WP in a transparent way

Fit in the fellows’ individual projects with care (incl. Secondments)


MANAGEMENT IN THE TEMPLATE•

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Network organisation, including financial management strategy, strategy for dealing with scientific misconduct Joint governing structure (including a steering board, mandatory for DN-ID and DN-JD actions) For DN-JD, joint admission, selection, supervision, monitoring and assessment procedures

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Supervisory board Recruitment strategy Progress monitoring and evaluation of individual projectsRisk management at consortium level Gender aspects (both at the level of recruitment and that of decision-making within the action) Environmental aspects in light of the MSCA Green Charter


MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

Steering BoardEach MSCA Doctoral Network should have a clearly identified steering board co-ordinating network-wide training and research activitiesand establishing continuous communication and exchange of best practice among the participating organisations to maximise the benefits of the partnership.


MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

Recruitment StrategyThe selection procedure for doctoral candidates must be open, transparent and merit-based, in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The vacancy notice (to be widely advertised internationally, including on the EURAXESS website) must include the gross salary […] offered to the researcher.




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Implementation risks: •••

What? How likely? How severe?Mitigation measures?

Make sure to think this through for each WP




Examples:••••

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“Delay in recruitment”“Conflict between the partners““Partner leaves consortium”“Fellow shows poor performance”

“Technical issues with 3D printers”

followed by contingency plan



Invitation to reflect:Please draft the risk management plan

for your project:risk / likelihood, severity / contingency plan


Quality, capacity and role of each participant, including hosting arrangements and extent to which the consortium as a whole brings together the necessary expertise

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try to be specific

mention the infrastructure that will ensure success of your project

show complementarity and commitment of the consortium


© FFG 2020 | Austrian Research Promotion Agency | www.ffg.at

Yasmin Dolak-Struss

Lil Reif

Therese Lindahl Grant Offices / Research Service Offices http://www.forschungsservice.at/index_en.html

SUPPORT IN AUSTRIA

FFG Proposal Check for Austrian coordinators :please send your full proposal (B1 and B2) as .doc or .pdf to

[email protected] or via file transferFor DN Call 2021: until 17 October 2021

http://www.forschungsservice.at/index_en.html

mailto:[email protected]


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