Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme Postgraduate Scholarships

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

Agenda • • • IRC Enterprise Partnership Scheme “Housekeeping” and institutional endorsement Tips for Proposal Preparation Smart. Simple Online Application System Q&A maynoothuniversity. ie

IMPORTANT • Guide for Applicants published • Online application system open • Applicants need to monitor IRC’s website http: //www. research. ie/scheme/enterprise-partnership-scheme for 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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

Overview of schemes maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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 Smart. Simple before an applicant can include the partner on application • Research agreement addressing intellectual property rights must be signed before scholarship can commence maynoothuniversity. ie

Applying for EPS scholarship Entire application process online – in “Smart. Simple” 2 Referees required; Supervisor cannot act as referee Employment Mentor required Supervisor, Referees and Employment Mentor will also have to use “Smart. Simple” • 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 • • maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

Quality of Project • Clarity and coherence of the proposed research project. • Quality and appropriateness of approach, including methodology 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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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

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). maynoothuniversity. ie

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. maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

Financial justification maynoothuniversity. ie

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“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 2 nd May that application ready for review, include Head’s confirmation re: ethical approval maynoothuniversity. ie

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 2 nd 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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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

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

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) maynoothuniversity. ie

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

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! maynoothuniversity. ie

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! maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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

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

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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! maynoothuniversity. ie

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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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 nonacademic sectors? maynoothuniversity. ie

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. maynoothuniversity. ie

Applying in Smart. Simple (1/2) • Select the right degree type – STRUCTURED All research master a Ph. D programmes at MU are structured maynoothuniversity. ie

Applying in Smart. Simple (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 maynoothuniversity. ie

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