Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme Postgraduate Scholarships 2016-1

1. Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme Postgraduate Scholarships 2016-1 Dr Deirdre Quinn Graduate Studies Officedeirdre.m.quinn@nuim.ie

2. Agenda IRC Enterprise Partnership Scheme “Housekeeping” and institutional endorsement Tips for Proposal Preparation SmartSimple Online Application System Q&A

3. IMPORTANT Guide for Applicants published Online application system open Applicants need to monitor IRC’s website http://www.research.ie/scheme/enterprise-partnership-schemefor updates, especially in the FAQ document It is the responsibility of each applicant to refer to and to comply with IRC’s Terms and Conditions and other published documents Applications or references submitted outside of online application system or after the application deadline will not be considered

4. Irish Research Council PG scholarships IRC created in 2012 following merge of IRCSET and IRCHSS All IRC postgraduate schemes open to all disciplines See T&C for eligibility of existing students and duration of awards for existing students • All registrations considered January for EPS 2015 call • Students with external funding not eligible (except for Student Grant/SUSI; Hume scholars ELIGIBLE) Only one re-application to a scheme

5. Overview of schemes

6. Enterprise Partnership Scheme • Aim: “to link with Enterprise Partner to award co-funded postgraduate scholarship to highly promising researchers. By working closely with an Enterprise Partner, researchers benefit from an enhanced research experience as well as having the opportunity to learn key transferrable skills relevant to career formation.” • awards co-funded by Enterprise Partners (contribution €8,000 per year) • Enterprise Partner: a business, a company, a registered charity, a social, cultural, not-for-profit, governmental or non-government organisation • Enterprise Partner can be located abroad

7. Enterprise Partner Must have the capacity to provide professional guidance and to provide access to experimental facilities or data; Must have a professional working environment capable of supporting the Research Project; Must co-fund one third (€8,000) per year Enterprise Partners must register in SmartSimple before an applicant can include the partner on application Research agreement addressing intellectual property rights must be signed before scholarship can commence

8. Applying for EPS scholarship Entire application process online – in “SmartSimple” 2 Referees required; Supervisor cannot act as referee Employment Mentor required Supervisor, Referees and Employment Mentor will also have to use “SmartSimple” Supervisors must be registered in the system – if not on the list contact deirdre.m.quinn@nuim.ie Application can be re-visited and saved repeatedly in online system Internal review by GSO before applicants submit Submitted application cannot be changed => participation in internal review process very important

9. Evaluation Criteria PROJECT: Quality of the research project 40% PROJECT: Training and Career Development Aspects of proposal 10% APPLICANT: Capability of the applicant 30% ENVIRONMENT: Suitability of the host organisations 20% (HEI 10%, EP 10%) Guide for Applicants, Appendix III

10. Quality of Project Clarity and coherence of the proposed research project. Quality and appropriateness of approach, including methodology and and consideration of ethical and sex/gender issues Feasibility and credibility of the proposed research plan in the proposed time period. Originality and innovative nature Dissemination plans

11. Training and Career Development Clarity and quality of plan to acquire new knowledge and skills to achieve research and professional development aims. Particular attention should be paid to the skills relevant to employment outside the traditional Academic sector. Evidence of real thought as to why research is to be undertaken and the impact of the proposed award on the applicants’ career path

12. Capability of the applicant Track record and research potential of the applicant Personal Statement Referees’ reports Match between applicant profile and research project

13. Suitability of the host organisation(s) Suitability and ability of Academic Supervisor(s) and Enterprise Mentor(s) and to provide adequate supervision. Quality of infrastructure and facilities provided by Host Organisation(s). HEI (10%): Enterprise Partner (10%) Match between Applicant, Academic Supervisor(s), Enterprise Mentor(s) and Host Organisation(s).

14. Research Ethics Statement Where ethical issues may arise in the research, applicants are required to submit a written statement that full consideration has been given to the ethical implication of the research proposal. Obtain confirmation from the Head of Department whether ethical approval required (no form – email sufficient) Application for ethical approval to relevant MU Research Ethics Sub-Committee only if funded A full ethical report and approval from an ethical review committee will need to be received by the Council prior to the commencement of the Scholarship or within three months of the start date.

15. When is Ethical Approval required? If research involves: • Surveys, interviews, observations of humans, even if in public space or small number of people are to be involved • Animals • Samples of bodily fluids used - even where sourced from third parties! List not exhaustive - consult with your supervisor, read MU Research Ethics policy Missing Ethical statement where required will reduce your marks! Your proposal might not receive institutional endorsement if ethical statement incorrect

16. Sex/Gender Dimension Give due consideration to possible sex/gender dimension of your proposed research project – even if you initially think there is none! Demonstrate in the relevant section that you have considered this aspect Guidelines in Guide for Applicants (Appendix II) IRC Gender Strategy & Action Plan 2013-2020 at http://research.ie/sites/default/files/irish_research_council_gender_action_plan_2013_-2020.pdf

17. Financial justification

19. “Housekeeping” and institutional endorsement Institutional endorsement subject to: • Ethical statement in line with MU policy • Statement re: ethical approval from Head of Department in place • Sex/gender statement in line with IRC’s Guide • Financial justification in line with rules Internal review in advance of submission – ALL applicants should participate Process for applicants: have complete draft in online system, email 2nd May that application ready for review, include Head’s confirmation re: ethical approval

20. Non-academic feedback Interested in non-academic feedback? • Have COMPLETE DRAFT in the online system • Email deirdre.m.quinn@nuim.ie with the following in email subject: “<your proposal ID> – request for feedback” by May 2nd 2016 • Applications will NOT be accepted for non-academic feedback after the above deadline • No re-submission for internal review required if no significant issues identified

21. IRC EPS Scholarships Key Dates • Internal Deadline for Applicants requesting feedback (non-academic) – not mandatory: 4pm on May 2nd 2016 • Internal Deadline for application review:4pm on May 20th 2016 • IRC FAQ Deadline:4pm on May 9th 2016 • IRC Deadline for Applicants: 4pm on June 10th 2016 Deadline for Supervisors, Referees & Mentors: 4pm on June 17th 2016 • Deadline for Institutional endorsement:24th June 2016 • Results expected inSeptember 2016 • Scholarships start date: 1st January 2017 (no flexibility)

22. Dos Read the call documents Read the call documents again… Plan & Prepare your proposal early Familiarize yourself with online application system Follow Guide for Applicants and FAQs - online updates!! Write your proposal for your evaluators Check - all evaluation criteria addressed Participate in MU internal review Get feedback Proofread

23. What makes a strong proposal Ambitious – but realistic proposal • Feasibility: project scope vs. time, skills, resources Fitting purpose/aims of funding scheme • Funding body’s mission, scheme’s aims • Evaluation criteria: applicant, project, host Clear presentation – why should the IRC fund YOU? • Abstract = summary of FUNDING proposal • Expert AND non-expert evaluators • Specific, relevant information (keep on mind in sections such as Work experience)

24. Writing for evaluators Put yourself in the mind of the reviewer (many applications to review in limited timeframe; both expert AND non-expert) Make it as easy as possible for evaluators: • First sentence in each paragraph is the most important • Avoid professional jargon, abbreviations etc. • Provide diagrams, tables, pictures • Include Gantt chart to illustrate your project plan • Explain your achievements etc. - you can only get points for what you include in your application Call documentation should provide information about the evaluation process and evaluators

25. Gantt Chart Illustrates the start, key elements and finish dates of a project; can also show dependencies. Named after Henry Gantt (1861–1919) Keep it simple!

26. Who will evaluate your application? 11 “Primary Areas” available to applicants to categorize proposed research; several sub-categories under each primary area (see Guide for Applicants): Help the IRC to assign you relevant expert evaluators by assigning pertinent key words to your application!

27. Abstract - Last section to be written - Summary of your FUNDING APPLICATION – not only of your research project Strong opening sentence What? How? Why this matters, why now? IMPACT Why should the IRC fund this proposal? IMPACT and why YOU, Maynooth and your Enterprise Partner

28. Evaluators’ consideration of your proposal: Feasibility Projectscope Methodology Specialist knowledge / access to data Ethical implications Project feasibility Why supervisor / institution / enterprise partner? Financial justification

29. Evaluators’ consideration of your proposal: Meeting scheme’s purpose Projectfindings Methodology mastered? Involvement in teaching activities? Impact / Career training and development New specialist knowledge/skills acquired? Presentations at conferences? Publications? Networks built thanks to supervisor / institution / enterprise partner?

30. Planning, Writing & Applying– concrete steps Discuss your ideas & application with your supervisor and enterprise mentor Identify and make arrangements with your referees • Personalized reference => needs to know you well! • Willing to submit reference using online system Register in the online application as soon as it opens Follow IRC’s & GSO’s guidelines and instructions Submit on time for internal deadline – if you don’t your application might be denied institutional approval Submit on time for the IRC deadline Ensure your supervisor and referees submit on time in the online system

31. Academic excellence, Research achievements All information about your achievements must be provided in the application form. Academic transcripts are NOT uploaded into the online application system. Explain importance of achievements, awards etc. – do not assume that international evaluators will be familiar with institutional/Irish awards etc. Use relevant section for relevant information; avoid repetition of information. Only in exceptional cases repetition is unavoidable or can be beneficial – save it for these cases only!

32. Proposed research Instructions within the online application system provide guidance regarding content of individual fields Ambitious but feasible; innovative; refer to IRC’s mission and the scheme’s aim Role of enterprise partner Restrictions regarding uploading additional documents

33. Career Training and Development Plan Description of plans for the acquisition of new specialist knowledge and skills, and generic knowledge and skills; where appropriate include a reference to the description of specialist knowledge section above. In terms of career aspirations, what do you expect to do upon completion of the postgraduate degree? How will the postgraduate degree assist you in achieving your goals? How will the scholarship enhance your career in the non-academic sectors?

34. Personal statement An opportunity to highlight additional information that has not been provided elsewhere in the application: • Why do you wish to pursue a higher degree by research? • Why have you proposed this research topic? • Why are you particularly suited for this research field? • Any additional aspects which you feel will provide a better picture of your capability, including personal skills, motivation, interests etc.

35. Applying in SmartSimple (1/2) Select the right degree type – STRUCTURED Allresearch master a PhD programmes at MU are structured

36. Applying in SmartSimple (2/2) SAVE your draft regularly Must save information entered into fields on one tab before moving to another tab – if not changes lost Plain text only! You can cut & paste but formatting information will be lost Can upload a pdf with a chart etc. NO CHANGES possible after you submit Supervisor and referees will be automatically notified by the system once you assign them to your application Important: double-check that your referees’ email addresses are correct! Submit early – don’t leave it to the last minute

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38. IRC EPS Scholarships Key Dates • Internal Deadline for Applicants requesting feedback (non-academic) – not mandatory: 4pm on May 2nd 2016 • Internal Deadline for application review:4pm on May 20th 2016 • IRC FAQ Deadline:4pm on May 9th 2016 • IRC Deadline for Applicants: 4pm on June 10th 2016 Deadline for Supervisors, Referees & Mentors: 4pm on June 17th 2016 • Deadline for Institutional endorsement:24th June 2016 • Results expected inSeptember 2016 • Scholarships start date: 1st January 2017 (no flexibility)