E0403 Research project development and funding

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/6/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Peter Šebej, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ondřej Adamovský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Mgr. Peter Šebej, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:50 Kontaktujte učitele
Prerequisites
This course is intended for students in the doctoral study programs. No necessary preceding courses, but previous experience with academic writing will be beneficial.
Students are accepted on a first come-first serve basis.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course is intended to provide participants with overview of the funding landscape relevant to scientific research, insights into preparation of projects including all supporting materials and relevant details.
Learning outcomes
After successfully finishing this course, students should be able to:
1) explore funding landscape in a specific area and with a focus on specific recipient and/or project size
2) formulate idea of a research proposal, find a research niche, perform focused literature search
3) writing a research proposal to fit formal requirements
4) prepare preliminary estimated budget of a research proposal
5) prepare supporting documents for a research proposal
6) assess a project proposal, discuss in an assessment panel, participate in final assessment
Syllabus
  • Week 1. Introduction. Why do we need to explore the funding options? Research and development financing and co-financing – which models do exist (externally funded, internally funded, mixed)? Introduction of the assessments and course details – how it will work? General career importance and relevancy of projects (and project management).
  • Week 2. Reading and understanding of the documentation of resources agencies and the documentation for evaluators. Discussion about the documentation, identification of priority points to be addressed in the proposal, tasks – who-does-what (administrative support, collaborative?) Importance to address evaluated points (Evaluator view). Assignement.
  • Week 3. Funding resources landscape – what are options and where to look for such options? Resources for doctoral students, postdocs, independent research, NGOs, small businesses, etc. Governmental and private sources. International funding (e.g. Horizon Europe, ERC, MSCA), foreign national funding (NSF, NIH, DFG, DAAD, SNSF, MEXT and other examples), czech national funding (GAČR, TAČR, AZV, MPO, other examples), internal MU funding (GAMU). Types of possible funding. Risk/reward.
  • Week 4. Supporting documents: CV, cover/motivation letter (general), equality and inclusivity statement, gender issues. Stakeholders and their roles. Workplace description (available equippment, instrumentation, core facilities, etc.).
  • Weeks 5.-6. (no joint activity)
  • Week 7. Panel discussion with scientists successfuly securing extramural funding. Interim consultations and feedback(s) to projects under preparation (after the panel discussion).
  • Weeks 8.-11. (no joint activity)
  • Week 12. Deadline 4.12.: Submission of the project proposals for peer reviews - upload them into the course "Homework Vault" in the IS MU (reviewers roster will be prepared based on submitted projects, but not public).
  • Week 13. Deadline 9.12.: Submission of the reviews of the projects to the rapporteurs of the projects. Rapporteurs will prepare the summary.
  • Week 13. Deadline 11.12.: Grant evaluation panel meeting (D29/252, starting at 14:00 (Brno time)).
  • Week 13. Deadline 13.12., 14:00 (Brno time): Submission of the seminfinal versions of the proposals for review by senior scientist
  • Week 14. (17.12., 9:00 (Brno time), D29/252): Presentations of the proposals at the RECETOX seminar series, feedbacks.
  • Deadline 4.1.: Submission of the final version of the proposals to the Ph.D. board (Luděk Bláha).
Teaching methods
Format of the course: 2h seminars/lectures, homework, work in groups (independent meetings)
Assessment methods
Within this course students will participate in several lectures/seminars focused on funding landscape, proposal preparation and related topics. Students will chose a topic and write their own proposal (interim discussions and final evaluation). Students will present their own proposals, and also write a peer-review to other three proposals, form review panels and formally assess proposals. After receiving formal assessment from panels students will superfinalize their proposals and formaly "submit".
The final credit will be given upon providing the superfinalized proposal.
Language of instruction
English
Teacher's information
This course requires active participation of all enrolled students in all activities (assessments, peer-reviewing, review panels, etc.).

Course will also involve participation of 1) specialists from the RECETOX grant office and from the RECETOX HR office, 2) researchers successful in funding securing (incl. ESR), 3) other relevant specialists in various activities, especially in the first half of the term.

The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023, Autumn 2023.
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