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From the submission Being an

IEF of applications to ERC panel

C IN BR issuing grants member

ER
Applications to the ERC are assessed on one criterion alone: scientific excellence.
This excellence is in two parts: the excellence of the project (which must be
innovative and ambitious, but also achievable) and the excellence of the applicant Since you have been are ‘specialists’ in the field. Final tip:
don’t worry about the lines above and
(mainly assessed on his/her creativity). a panel member, what have a go! Unlike the Anglo-Saxon world,
have you learnt about
the way the awarding we Belgians sometimes lack confidence
in our abilities...B2) will also be sent out
Assessing the … To an in-depth of ERC grants works? to external assessors who are ‘specialists’
applications study “The ERC targets excellence, which in the field. Final tip: don’t worry about
the lines above and have a go! Unlike
The scientific assessment panels are Some 12 experts are translates perfectly into its operating the Anglo-Saxon world, we Belgians
charged with examining the scientific In the second stage, the whole of the model. Both in terms of the sometimes lack confidence in our
proposals submitted by the applicants contacted to obtain application (both “B1” and “B2”), including organisational and administrative abilities...
for the ERC’s Starting, Consolidator and at least 3 remote the full presentation of the project and aspects, as well as the selection process
1
Advanced Grants . There are now 27 of assessments. the methodology details, is sent to itself (two stages, interview with the And for the interview?
them, with two new panels working on external experts who are specialists in the candidate, external reporting assessors,
the calls for projects from 2021 onwards subject, in addition to the members of committee discussion, “Of course, prepare well (timed
(Materials Engineering and Human the panel. Some 12 experts are contacted international composition of the presentation of the project, answers
Mobility, Environment and Space). First to obtain at least 3 remote assessments. committees, etc.), everything is put in to expected questions, etc.); convince
and foremost, it’s a question of keeping The candidates are then invited to an place to ensure that the grants are yourself particularly that if you are there
better track of scientific developments, interview lasting approximately half an awarded (I think) fairly, based on the in front of the committee members,
but also of balancing out the workload From the initial hour. sole criterion of the excellence of the it’s because the application went down
of the various assessment panels. analysis… scientific research.” well; defend it tooth and claw – while
Panel members are leading scientists Until now, this interview has only retaining your critical sense.”
from 56 different countries, who have In the first stage to assess the applications concerned applicants for Starting and
been invited by the Scientific Council for the Starting, Consolidator and Consolidator Grants. But new in 2021 If you were to How do the debates
eighteen months beforehand. Each Advanced Grants, only the first part of is that the process will also apply to give advice to the work? Are they real
panel is allocated an indicative budget the proposal (called “B1”) is taken into applicants for Advanced Grants. candidates for
that is determined by the percentage consideration. This means it has to be The final assessment of the second stage submitting their scientific discussions?
that represents the amount requested particularly eye-catching, because that takes into account both the assessment “Certainly. Whenever I’m asked, I always
by the applications received out of the is what will determine whether it goes by the remote experts and the interview. application, what think carefully about agreeing to be
combined budget for all applications forward to the second stage (and the fact The candidate is then given a mark, would it be? part of the committee. That’s because it
received by all of the panels. that the second part is also read). With scored as “A” (excellent and financeable if represents a significant volume of work.
the help of the scientific advisers from the the budget allows) or “B”. Unfortunately, “The usual. For the application itself,
The applicant selects the assessment ERC Executive Agency, the panel chairman take the time to allow the project to I am often surprised by the quality of
panel that he/she believes is most allocates each application to 5 members because there is insufficient budget, not ‘mature’; clearly identify the originality the way the committee members read
appropriate. If the person thinks of the panel. The panel members are the all of the projects that score “A” can be of the research compared with the state the applications and the level of debate
that his/her subject is particularly only ones to read these applications at the funded. However, all of the candidates Director, Chemistry of new of the art and structure the work plan conducted during the two selection
receive a detailed report stating the
phases. Of course, there’s always a
interdisciplinary, he/she can select a
clearly before embarking on the writing
- FNRS.NEWS 121 - FEBRUARY 2021 to submit their proposals in one “go”, the all will have an in-depth knowledge of the funding to identify the points to be materials, UMONS. Member of idea, not a collection of tasks; don’t be funding), but we really keep that to a - FNRS.NEWS 121 - FEBRUARY 2021
first stage and each one receives between
opinion of the panel and the comments
random aspect in the process (especially
secondary panel that will also examine
component; don’t be ‘shy’, but don’t
20 and 45. So the applicants need to take
David Beljonne, FNRS Research
from each of the experts. This is to enable
for applications ranked at the edge of
the application. Although applicants have
go overboard; focus on ONE central
into account that of these 5 members, not
those candidates who do not receive
minimum. Each application is discussed
assessment itself is carried out in two
distracted by the ERC motto of ‘high
research topic being envisaged.
the ERC consolidator Grant panel
improved so that they can try their luck
in detail and the debates only end when
stages. (The submission procedure for
risk, high gain’. The research certainly
“Physical and Analytical Chemical
again for a subsequent call for projects.
a consensus has been reached. And
The panel then meets to select the
Synergy Grants is in three stages, while
needs to be innovative and present a
Sciences (PE4)” in 2014, 2016, 2018
just so you know, ALL of the reports
applicants it wishes to interview in
Proofs of Concept are totally different).
potential high impact, but for all that,
and 2020.
are read in full during the final day
the second stage. Panels can invite a
don’t forget the aspect of feasibility; also
of phase 2. This is to ensure that the
maximum of 3 times the number of
remember that the short version (B1) of
arguments presented properly reflect the
candidates than the budget reserved for
the project will be read by ‘generalists’,
be sent out to external assessors who
projects in 2021 and 2022. Source: ERC,
Panel structure for ERC calls 2021 and
6 their panel would be able to fund. 1. List of the 27 ERC panels for calls for whereas the long version ((B2) will also discussions of the panel.” 7
2022 (revised), 28th May 2020.