Fundraising and Project Management's Team MSCA focuses mainly on the following Marie Skłodowska Curie actions (MSCA) under Horizon Europe: Postdoctoral Fellowships, Doctoral Networks, and COFUND. 

HOW WE WORK 
For the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships we offer a strategic process in collaboration with the faculties and departments that aims to increase the number of grants awarded by this action.  The process involves individual support to the supervisor and fellow throughout the application process until deadline and an yearly MSCA Talent Course - intended for both European Fellowships and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships.

For Doctoral Networks and COFUND we offer comprehensive guidance and support (including an annotated template for DN) for proposals where AAU is the coordinator. We work closely with the Principle Investigator (PI) in collaboration with the local fundraiser and department. 

OUR CORE ACTIVITIES ARE: 

• The AAU MSCA Talent Course and Writing sessions
• Screening of candidates for the MSCA Talent Course
• Bibliometrics and data
• Individual feedback on proposals, including annotated templates

THE PROCESS
The MSCA PF process starts in autumn when F&P asks the Departments to suggest potential candidates for the course based on these criteria:

• The quality of the scientific profile
• The good match between the suggested project and the AAU supervisor/research group
• The originality and feasibility of the research idea

INFORMATION MEETING FOR POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS
We offer an information meeting for potential supervisors. The information meeting for potential supervisors is carried out in late autumn with the purpose of introducing the MSCA program and the benefit of supervising an MSCA fellow.

In the period between autumn and the early spring, supervisors and/or the Departments send the CVs of potential candidates to F&P for a screening process.

F&P selects the most qualified candidates for the course in dialogue with the Departments and Faculties

In the period between autumn and the early spring, supervisors and/or the Departments send the CVs of potential candidates to F&P for a screening process.

F&P selects the most qualified candidates for the course in dialogue with the Departments and Faculties

To follow-up on the course, the fellows will participate in two virtual writing sessions with F&P.

The aim is to provide a space to boost knowledge and proposal writing skills through interactive sessions.  

In the writing sessions, we focus on the non-scientific parts of the proposal: Impact and Implementation.

After the course and writing sessions F&P will support the fellow when writing the proposal until the deadline which is typically mid-September.

F&P has several tools: an annotated template, successful applications, an overview of relevant policies, transferable courses list and we provide feedback and advice until submission.

In order to improve the course we perform an internal evaluation assessing the process including feedback from the fellows and the previous year's evaluation summary reports.

OUR FOCUS
Fundraising and Project Management's Team Investigator Career Grants focuses on investigator-driven grants (forskningslederbevillinger), such as proposals for The European Research Council (ERC), Sapere Aude, and similar PI-driven grants offered by the Danish private foundations, including Villum Fonden, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Lundbeck Foundation.

HOW WE WORK
We offer competitiveness assessment of researchers’ profiles, including bibliometric analysis, and comprehensive guidance and support for individual researchers, proposal feedback, and interview training. We work closely with local fundraisers and management to identify coming applicants and help AAU faculties and departments to promote and target these types of funding opportunities. We offer “how to write” courses with a focus on ERC.

OUR CORE ACTIVITIES ARE

• Individual support to applicants
• Identification of future applicants in cooperation with departments and faculties
• Bibliometrics and data

Our individual support consists of: 

• Feedback on CV and guidance for which call to focus on and timing for submitting a proposal. 
• Bibliometric analysis of the researcher's profile and benchmark against previous grantees. 
• Individualized proposal support.
• Interview training.
• General information meetings and training activites across AAU.

Our support to the Departments consists of: 

• Feedback on potential applicants, and guidance for linking funding opportunities with talent development.  
• Elaboration of specific calls based on the Department's priorities and needs.  

DEADLINES
According to the ERC Work Programme, the tentative dates for the different instruments take place each year in the following months:

• ERC Starting Grant - October
• ERC Consolidator Grant - February
• ERC Advanced Grant - May
• ERC Synergy Grant - November

KEY DATES AND STEPS IN THE SUPPORT PROCESS FOR 2024 CALLS

• April: Identification of participants for the ERC webinars
• May 3: ERC information meeting for all interested hosted by F&P. Will be advertised separately. 
• May 23 and 26: Two ERC webinars with an external consultant and F&P
• June: Individual meetings with F&P. Focus on profile assessment, ERC panel selection, and ERC proposal plan.  
• June onwards: Individual support based on needs and timing of the proposal.  

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE ERC PROCESS?  

• Researchers who plan to submit an ERC proposal for the upcoming StG and CoG deadlines.
• Researchers who want to develop an ERC proposal (StG or CoG) in a 2-3 year horizon.  

If needed, F&P will ask Departments to prioritize candidates.  

THE TWO ERC PROFILES FOR STG AND COG: 

• Starting Grant profile: Ph.D.-age of 2-7 years. Independent research profile. At least one significant publication in top journals/proceedings. Early signs of leadership potential. Previous grant (e.g. postdoc grant). International profile and mobility.  
• Consolidator Grant profile: Ph.D.-age 7-12 years. At least 4-5 significant publications in top journals/proceedings. A clear independent profile and an established track record as PI. Acknowledged profile in the international community.  Mobility and strong international collaboration. 

The ERC grant supports excellent researchers in pursuing a ground-breaking idea with the potential for breakthrough contributions. 

COSTS
AAU Innovation covers the cost of the ERC webinars in August. Any additional costs e.g. for covering individual sessions with the external consultant must be covered by the Department.  

CALL
Please read the call text carefully.   

KEY DATES AND STEPS IN THE SUPPORT PROCESS FOR 2023

• Jan 24, 2023: Information meeting for all interested hosted by F&P.
• Feb onwards: Individual support based on needs and timing of proposal. This includes interview preparation if the applicant is invited to an interview. 

THE SAPERE AUDE PROFILE

• Minimum formal requirements: Phd-age of max 8 years. Independent research profile. At least one significant publication in top journals/proceedings. 
• The competitive CV will often include: Early signs of leadership potential. Previous grant (e.g. postdoc grant). International profile and mobility. 

SUPPORT AND ADMIN: WHO DOES WHAT?  

THE DEPARTMENT 

• Identifies applicants
• Informs F&P about applicants
• Offers a support setup at Department level including budget support, local peer review, and budget confirmation by HoD

F&P OFFERS TO THE APPLICANT 

• Individual proposal strategy 
• Feedback on draft proposal (non-scientific parts in particular). 
• Interview training 

F&P OFFERS TO THE DEPARTMENT  

• Feedback on potential applicants’ CVs, if needed, to clarify the timing of submission.
• Any ongoing additional info or clarifications needed.  

The optimal admin support setup combines a department-based fundraiser, the finance team at the department, and F&P. Please notice that the department is responsible for setting up a team of relevant scientific reviewers to help sharpen the research plan. 

TARGET GROUP 
Exceptionally talented young scientists ready for taking charge of their first PI-grant. Please see profile of the ‘ideal candidate’ on next page. 

PhD age: Between 2-8 years at the deadline for submission. If the candidate is an Associate Professor, he/she may have held this position for max 2 years by the time of deadline.  

KEY DATES - 2023

• April: Call opens (exact date tba)
• March 27: Information meeting with the Villum Foundation (Aalborg campus)
• April 13: Webinar with YIP grantee Mads Albertsen for future applicants. 
• April onwards: Individual support based on needs and timing of the proposal.
• June: Final submission deadline (tba in the call). 
• Info-meeting with the foundation will be broadly advertised to TECH and ENG. Future applicants, fundraisers, and management are all welcome to participate.  

ONLINE RESOURCES 

• YIP homepage including link to last year’s call
• Scientific fields supported 

SUPPORT AND ADMIN: WHO DOES WHAT?  

THE DEPARTMENT 

• Identifies applicants
• Informs F&P about applicants
• Offers a support setup at department level including
• Letter of Support (see profile description below). 
• Budget support
• Local peer review 

F&P OFFERS TO THE APPLICANT

•  Individual proposal strategy 
• Feedback on draft proposal (non-scientific parts in particular). 
• Interview training 

F&P OFFERS TO THE DEPARTMENT  

• Feedback on potential applicants’ CV, if needed, to clarify timing of submission. 
• Any ongoing additional info or clarifications needed. 

The optimal admin support setup combines a department-based fundraiser, the finance team at the department, and F&P. Please notice that the department is responsible for setting up a team of relevant scientific reviewers to help sharpen the research plan.     

OUR FOCUS
Fundraising and Project Management's Team EU Collaborative focuses on collaborative EU project grants, mainly in Pillar 2 under Horizon Europe, i.e.: Cluster 1 (Health), Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society), Cluster 3 (Civil Security for Society), Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry and Space), Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility), and Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Agriculture and Environment), and Pathfinder in Pillar 3. 

HOW WE WORK 
We offer a strategic process in collaboration with the faculties and departments that aims to increase the number of collaborative EU projects granted. This involves a proactive research policy support for AAU researchers via our office in Brussels as well as a comprehensive guidance and individual support throughout the proposal process when AAU is the coordinator or plays a major role. Drawing on competences from other parts of AAU Innovation, we offer expert advice regarding e.g. partners in the consortium, value creation, impact, and post-project implementation. We work closely with the AAU applicant in collaboration with the local fundraiser and department. 

OUR CORE ACTIVITIES ARE

• Proactive research policy support
• Individual support and feedback on proposals
• Development of tools to be used in the proposal process - including annotated templates

"How to get started with Horizon Europe - crash course" webinar: Apr-Jun

• This webinar aims at providing hands-on information to researchers on how to find relevant call topics in the Horizon Europe Work Programmes and “tips and tricks” on how to read a work programme. In addition, it provides a short introduction to the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. The webinar is offered annually at department level and will make use of relevant cases from the department. 

"How to write" course: Sep-Nov

• TBA

The AAU EU Process starts in C-3 (i.e 3 months before the cutoff date for identifying coordinator candidates) when F&P informs the departments about the process and forthcoming deadlines for Horizon Europe topics in pillar 2. The departments are asked to consider potential candidates to be supported by F&P in close collaboration with the local funding support at department level.

The profile of a potential coordinator should be based on the following criteria:

• Minimum associate professor. CV, including list of publications, is not vital.
• Project management experience (not necessarily from EU project).
• Has a project idea and/or a scientific profile with clear relevance to a specific topic.
• Is up to date with international state-of-the-art in his/her field of research.
• Is not necessarily a leader in his/her field of research but should be internationally recognized within the field.
• Has experience in writing applications in English (not necessarily EU projects).
• Has time, as well as the desire and willingness to be responsible for an EU project.
• Has aligned his/her resources with the head of department.
• Has an EU network or is interested in creating it (i.e., preferably a good networker).
• Agrees to be the primary penholder in the application.
• Has perhaps been an EU evaluator and thereby gained a good insight into what it takes to write a successful EU application.

Cutoff dates (C) for identifying potential coordinator candidates that would like F&P’s support are as follows:

• 1 Sep for applications with deadlines in Quarter 1 (Jan-Mar) and Quarter 2 (Apr-Jun)
• 1 Feb for applications with deadlines in Quarter 3 (Jul-Sep) and Quarter 4 (Oct-Dec)

Applications that do not meet these cutoff dates will not be guaranteed support from F&P.

In months C+1 and C+2 (i.e 1 and 2 months after the cutoff date for identifying coordinator candidates) F&P offers the following meetings:  

"Get started meeting"

• At the meeting an agreement is made on support/expectations and the involvement of both F&P and the local funding support team at department level. In addition, the applicant will be advised on the time schedule, the application process, and the possibility of administrative project management at F&P. If necessary, a brief introduction to Horizon Europe can be provided.

"360 degree inspection meeting"

• The applicant presents the project idea based on a 360 degree template, and the consortium, value creation, and implementation are discussed.

"F&P Project Management meeting"

• If the applicant wishes that F&P handles the administrative project management, a specific agreement will be discussed between F&P and the department.

In months C+2, C+3, C+4, C+5, and C+6 (i.e 2-6 months after the cutoff date for identifying coordinator candidates) F&P provides proposal feedback a minimum of two times during the application process as well as ongoing advice. Online tools for RIA/IA applications are available in F&P's Toolbox. 

The budget is handled at department level. F&P offers guidance and recommendations related to the budget.

Upon prior agreement, in months C+11 (i.e. 11 months after the cutoff date for identifying coordinator candidates) to project end, F&P can offer to carry out Grant Agreement Preparation (GAP) and administrative project management. 

The application support process is evaluated annually in Dec by means of an online survey to coordinators.

Fundraising and Project Management's Team National Public Collaborative focuses on collaborative project grants in Denmark, i.e. Grand Solution (Innovation Fund Denmark), EUDP, MUDP, and GUDP (Energi-, Miljø- og Fødevarestyrelsen).

HOW WE WORK
We offer comprehensive guidance and support, incl. development of the project idea, proposal feedback and interview training, for researchers and their project partners in proposals where AAU is the coordinator or plays a major role. Drawing on competences from other parts of AAU Innovation, we offer expert advice regarding e.g. partners in the consortium, value creation, and post-project implementation. We work closely with the AAU applicant in collaboration with the local fundraiser and department.

OUR CORE ACTIVITIES ARE

• Individual support and feedback on proposals
• Development of tools to be used in the proposal process - including annotated templates

The Grand Solution Process starts in November when F&P informs the departments about the process and forthcoming expected deadline for Grand Solution. The departments are asked to consider potential candidates to be supported by F&P in close collaboration with the local funding support at department level. The profile of a potential coordinator should be based on the following criteria:

• Minimum associate professor. CV, including list of publications, is not vital.
• Project management experience (not necessarily from a Grand Solution project).
• Has a project idea and/or a scientific profile with clear relevance to the Grand Solution call topics.
• Is up to date with international state-of-the-art in his/her field of research.
• Is not necessarily a leader in his/her field of research but should be internationally recognized within the field.
• Has experience in writing applications in English (not necessarily Grand Solution projects).
• Has time, as well as the desire and willingness to be responsible for a Grand Solution project.
• Has aligned his/her resources with the head of department.
• Has a network at national level (and international) or is interested in creating it (i.e., preferably a good networker).
• Agrees to be the primary penholder in the application.

The deadline for identifying potential coordinator candidates that would like F&P’s support is in December. 

Applications that do not meet this deadline will not be guaranteed support from F&P.

In December and January F&P offers a "Get started meeting". At the meeting an agreement is made on support/expectations and the involvement of both F&P and the local funding support team at department level. In addition, the applicant will be advised on the time schedule and the application process. If necessary, a brief introduction to Innovation Fund Denmark and Grand Solution can be provided.

In January F&P offers a "360 degree inspection meeting". At the meeting the applicant presents the project idea based on a 360 degree template, and the consortium, value creation, and implementation are discussed.

F&P provides proposal feedback a minimum of two times during the application process from January to April as well as ongoing advice. Online tools for Grand Solution applications are available in F&P's Toolbox. 

The budget is handled at department level. F&P offers guidance and recommendations related to the budget.

September to October F&P offers pitch training to all applicants from Aalborg University that have been selected for an interview with Innovation Fund Denmark. The pitch training includes a minimum of two meetings where the applicant gets to practice his/her pitch and afterward receives feedback on the presentation, slides, etc. based on F&P's experience and in order to meet the requirements of Innovation Fund Denmark.