Tim Conlon & Gemma Irvine NUIG 20 th Feb 2013

1. Investing in People and Ideas Tim Conlon & Gemma Irvine NUIG 20th Feb 2013

2. Two Councils become one The mission of the Irish Research Council is to enable and sustain a vibrant and creative research community in Ireland

3. Council Members • Prof Orla Feely (Chair) UCD • Prof John Brewer, University of Aberdeen • Professor Thomas M Cooney, DIT • Dr Ivan Coulter, Sigmoid Pharma Ltd • Prof Caroline Fennell, UCC • Prof James Gleeson, UL • Prof Sheila Greene, TCD • Prof Anita R Maguire, UCC • Prof Rowena Pecchenino, NUI Maynooth • Prof Sean Ryder, NUI, Galway • Prof Alan F Smeaton, DCU • Dr Eucharia Meehan (Director, IRC)

4. Executive Staff • Dr Eucharia Meehan, Director • Dr Gemma Irvine, Assistant Director • Fiona Davis, Programme Manager • Sorcha Carthy, European Projects Officer • Dr Ruth-Blandina Quinn, European Projects Officer • Liz McFeely, Research Support • Margaret Egan, Research Support

5. Postdoctoral Fellowships

6. GOI & EPS Postdoc Fellowships • All Disciplines & types of research • Value of Award (Salary €31,275k; PRSI & 20% pension if applicable) • Eligible direct research expenses <€5,000pa • Full-time Fellowships held at a recognised Irish HEI (does not include Northern Ireland)

7. Eligibility for GOI & EPS Fellowships • have doctoral degree completed within five year period before call deadline • have authored or co-authored at least one published peer-reviewed research publication or equivalent IP output or samples of written work Must not • hold/have held a GOI or EPS Postdoctoral Fellowship before • have been a Postdoc for <5yrs • be a permanent member of staff at a Higher Education Institution at home or abroad

8. Elevate Eligibility • Be an Experienced Researcher (ER) of any nationality (e.g. hold a PhD or have 4 years full-time equivalent research experience) • Be a resident of an EU or Associated Country - who is currently living in Ireland but does not have to be an Irish citizen. • Have been an ER for no more than 5 years • Have spent no more than 40% of his/her time during their ER career period carrying out research outside Ireland

9. Elevate FINANCE • If international host is HEI:If international host is non- HEI: • 40% EU Commission funding 40% EU Commission funding • 60% IRC funding 30% IRC funding • 30% Host Partner funding • 3 year Postdoctoral Fellowship • Total award, circa €87,000 per annum (x 3 = c€260k) • Includes all costs of researcher (e.g. salary €65k (incl PRSI, pension), mobility/travel €11k, research costs €10k, health insurance) • Cost to non-HEI, circa €26,000 per annum(x3 = c€78k) • Quarterly or annual invoices paid to the Irish Research Council in advance • Postdoctoral Researcher is an employee of the Irish HEI for the duration of the award

10. Preparing an Application Read the T&C and Guide for Applicants • Talk to Mentor/Enterprise Partner/Referees ASAP!! • Talk to Research Office • Ethical approval? • Gender Dimension Statement? • Data management, Protection & Security

11. Things to think about…. • Make a proper plan of action. • Think about your proposed study! • Description of project; methodology; research plan) is key – it’s worth 50 marks. • Answer all questions (or write n/a where not applicable). Word counts are maximums not targets! • Remember first impressions do count!! • Grammar, sqellcheak, proof read.

12. Things to think about…. • Be focused!! • Keep prose simple, declarative and precise in all sections – do not write in ‘essay mode’. • Use jargon free language. • The IRC Budget is extremely limited & we get thousands of applications: • How can you make your application stand out? • Think about potential outputs/dissemination • International reputational risk particularly for HEI and mentor if application is poor • Should not apply just for the sake of it!

13. FAQs • The FAQs are available on the website. • Queries that are not addressed on the FAQs list may be sent to info@research.ie The question and answer will then be posted on the website. • The IRC willnot enter into individual correspondence to ensure transparency and equity of access to information.

14. Application ProcessThe IRC provides full guidance on using the online system APPLICANT: • Individual applicant registers online • Sent login details • Fill in application form (English or Irish languages only) • Provide contact details for other parties • Review your application & submit by 20th March 5pm (GMT)

15. Application ProcessThe IRC provides full guidance on using the online system MENTOR/ENTERPRISE PARTNER/REFEREES: • Mentor & Enterprise Partner need to pre-register on system (Referees don’t) • All parties sent login email invitation • Fill in specific form • Review & submit by 3rd April 5pm (GMT)

16. Application ProcessThe IRC provides full guidance on using the online system HOST HEI ENDORSEMENT: • Sent notice that application is ready to review • Check all relevant parts • Endorse & submit by 17thth April 5pm (GMT) No alterations can be made once application is submitted Applicant sent confirmation email of endorsement

17. Evaluation Process Three-phase approach: • Eligibility Check and Adherence to Terms & Conditions; • Remote evaluation by International Assessment Board, scoring & ranking; • Assessment Board meeting, scoring & ranking; [Project 50%; Applicant 30%; Environment 20%]

18. Focus on funding excellence, originality and potential Separate funding streams for GOI AHSS & GOI STEM & EPS & ELEVATE No subject quotas, no favoured topics nor disciplines Both new and repeat applications are funded Evaluation Process

19. Lack of awareness of ethical considerations; Process – significant and feasible; Need for clear methodological approaches Importance of certain skills – pre and post PhD e.g. languages; Choice of mentor & HEI – very important and generally not treated as such; Referees should be more to the point (frank) General Assessor Comments….(why applicants don’t get funded)

20. Apparent lack of input from Graduate Studies Office/Mentor/Department/ Research Advice Read Terms and Conditions carefully Read and re-read Evaluation Criteria whilst completing the application form Read your completed application before submitting – proof read at least and ask a second person to read it for you Listen to any advice given! General Assessor Comments….(why applicants don’t get funded)

21. Biological Sciences A Biological Sciences B Chemistry Computer Science Earth/Environmental Science Engineering Mathematics Physics Study of the Human Past Cultures and Cultural production Individuals, Institutions, markets, values, behaviour the mind and environment Primary Areas - Panels

22. Elevate Fellowship • Marie Curie 3-year Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards • Years 1 & 2: based in international host (HEI or enterprise, social or cultural organisation, NGO) • Year 3: based in Irish HEI maintaining link to international host • 2 Calls – 1st Call closing early 2013: 20 awards covering all disciplines • (10 non-academic awards). • – 2nd Call closing early 2014: 25 awards covering all disciplines • (15 non-academic awards).

23. Host Commitment • Eligible host organisations are research teams in HEIs or research locations that can demonstrate a sufficiently high international research reputation: • national research institutions • well-founded enterprise research facilities • social, cultural and non-government organisations (e.g. library, archive, museum, institute with scientific, cultural, social or economic interest in the proposed project) • Capacity to provide professional guidance and mentoring to the individual researcher • Access to experimental facilities or data • If non-HEI, a commitment to co-fund at 30% for the duration of the award

25. www.research.ie info@research.ie @irishresearch facebook.com/irishresearch