Advice to improve grant applications
Seek advice and sparring
When you apply for funding, we offer different types of counselling. It is shown that the more feedback you ask for the better the chances are for your application to be successful. The department management has formed the following local guidelines:
Plan the application process
Contact the clinical professor of the specialty for applications of more than 500,000 kroner, so that you can agree on the further process together - including which research colleagues can spar with you. Be aware of the assistance opportunities in the Research Support Office and read more in the overview Plan your time (Planlæg jeres tid: in Danish).
For applications of 4 million kroner or more, you can get help and sparring from IKM's application review panel. Contact the panel as early as possible in the application process, e.g. in relation to idea development for an application, feedback on a final draft or preparation for an interview with a foundation.
Peer review
The Research Forum at Health has decided that peer reviewers should be used for applications to the European Research Council (ERC) and Innovation Fund Denmark.
For applications to other major foundations such as the Independent Research Fund Denmark, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation and the Velux Fonden, the institute also recommends internal reviews.
Contact the Research Support Office if you are applying for EU funding
For applications for the FP7 and Horizon 2020 programmes The Research Support Office has to be involved in all steps of the application process. This applies to all applications; bot the ones you initiate on your own as well as the applications you are asked to submit by the head of the department.
Make sure to contact both The Research Support Office as well as the head of department before you start your application and make sure to start as early as possible as to be able to meet the deadline. When the applicant is also the coordinator The Research Support Office has to be contaced as soon as possible and no later than two months before the application deadline.
Especially for PhDs
PhD students and researchers below assistant professor and postdoc level must use their supervisors to quality-assert research applications. In addition, you are encouraged to take advantage of these offers:
- Seek help from HE Finance, which can draw up budgets based on standard rates for salaries and other expenses. Interested parties please contact okonomicenterhealth.okoplan@au.dk.
- Use the Research Support Office'ss electronic toolbox, which contains tips for, among other things, project descriptions and tools for drawing up CVs and budgets in a clear manner.
If, exceptionally, there is an application from a PhD student that has greater strategic importance for the department, the head of department can contact the Research Support Office for a special agreement.