Making the Most of Your Application

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Making the Most of Your Application
Martin Penny UK Research Office mobility_at_bbsrc.ac
.uk http//www.ukro.ac.uk/mobility Tel 32 2 230
0318 Fax [phone]
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The UK Research Office Making the Most of Your
Application

• SELL! SELL! SELL!
• Quality of research
• Quality of host
• Quality of training programme
• Quality of recruitment plans
• Quality of individual
• Quality of supervision
• Quality of language

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The UK Research Office Quality of research

• Potential of the research
• Cutting edge research setting it apart from the
  competition
• Multi- and inter-disciplinary research
• Innovation and the use of research results
• Links with other research groups
• Industrial links
• Communication structures, plans etc
• Costs fully justified can include top-ups

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The UK Research Office Quality of host

• Quality of the research group / organisation
• Networking with other organisations / research
  groups
• Infrastructure / equipment available
• International collaborations
• Supervision arrangements
• Mentoring arrangements
• Assistance with living requirements of Fellows

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The UK Research Office Quality of training
programme

• Training in research methods and techniques
• Personal Development Plan
• Complementary skills training ethics, research
  management
• Transferable skills training cf Roberts
• Graduate School Provision including RC courses
• Conferences, seminars, public fora etc

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The UK Research Office Quality of recruitment
plans

• Host Schemes
• Must be achievable
• Need for researchers trained in this area
• Links, partners, networks at research group
  and/or organisation level
• European and world level links with INCO
  countries
• Past experience
• Best practice
• Commission vacancy service

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The UK Research Office How do I find a host
institution?

• Individual Schemes
• Aim high!
• Does not have to be in academia
• Draw on existing links supervisor, department
  etc
• Use the literature
• Previously funded Fellowships
• Look at host schemes
• NB Contractual terms for outgoing fellowships

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The UK Research Office Quality of individual

• Research potential
• Current research experience and skills
• Cross and multi-disciplinary experience
• Work experience (in research)
• Industrial experience and expertise
• Transferable skills
• Prizes, Awards, Lectures etc
• Give evidence!

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The UK Research Office Quality of supervision

• Clear framework for supervision
• Infrastructure incl. contracts / management
• Mentoring
• Personal tutors
• Induction programmes group / organisation
• Graduate Schools
• Training
• Assistance with accommodation

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The UK Research Office Quality of language

• Understandable English!
• Avoid colloquialisms
• Explain all country specific jargon
• - including organisations, funders, initiatives
• Well set out include summaries

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The UK Research Office Further information

• UKRO NCP website
• http//www.ukro.ac.uk/mobility
• Queries on the schemes
• mobility_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
• Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
• Other useful websites
• http//www.europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecu
  rie-actions/home_en.html
• http//www.cordis.lu/rtd2002/home.html