Louise BolgerResearch Support Unit20th of April 2016

Information sessionIRC Enterprise Partnership Schemes 2016: Postgraduate and Postdoctoral

Presentation overview

Overview of current calls

Application process

Evaluation criteria

Important points to note

Supports and contacts

Irish Research Council• funds excellent early-stage researchers across all disciplines

– encourages interdisciplinary research, and – engagement with enterprise

• facilitates the career development of researchers– those at early stage of their research career & established research teams

• aims to support an expertise-driven research system in order to enhance Ireland’s innovation capacity and skills base

• further committed to facilitating the integration of Irish researchers in all disciplines within the European Research Area

Overview of the Enterprise Partnership Scheme

Enterprise Partnership Scheme (EPS)

• IRC links with an Enterprise Partner (EP)

• Awards co-funded postgraduate scholarships / postdoctoral fellowships to highly promising researchers

• By working closing with EP, researchers benefit from:– an enhanced research experience– opportunity to learn key transferrable skills relevant to career

formation

An eligible EP…• Can be based anywhere in the world

• Includes– well-founded business and company research facilities (including SMEs and

MNCs)– social, cultural, not-for-profit, governmental or non-governmental

organisations

• Can commit to co-funding one third of the scholarship/fellowship value

• Can support more than one Scholar/Fellow under 2016 call

Previous EP’s• SmartBay Ireland

• DCU Ryan Academy Limited

• Irish Sports Council

• Intel Ireland Ltd.

• United Technologies Research Centre Ireland Ltd

• Viadynamics Ireland Limited

• Pieta House

• The Irish Equine Centre

• Henkel

• Merck Sharp & Dohme

• GlaxoSmithKline (Cork)

• Hewlett-Packard (Manufacturing) Limited

• Microsoft Research

Lots more on IRC website!

EP’s duties• Must nominate an Enterprise Mentor to work with the Scholar/Fellow and

her/his Academic Supervisor/Mentor – contact should be maintained throughout scholarship/fellowship period

• Encouraged to provide placement period at their facilities – must be agreed with IRC and Academic Supervisor/Mentor

• Expected to cover cost of all expenses incurred by Scholar/Fellow during placement(s)

• Assist with Career Development plan

• EPs can register their interest on the IRC website

Knowledge transfer• A research agreement (incl. reference to Intellectual Property rights and

confidentiality) must be in place between the HEI & the EP before the Scholarship/Fellowship can commence

• HEI must establish rules & procedures for protecting & managing any IP arising during the Scholarship/Fellowship

• Council requires that background IP is captured clearly by the HEI & the EP prior to initiation of the project

• Copy of the research agreement must be made available to the IRC before the Scholarship/Fellowship commences

Some conditions to note…• Additional duties• First duty is the successful completion of the Scholarship /

Fellowship

• 1st year must be devoted exclusively to the development of the project and the Training & Development Plan (Postgraduate Scheme)

• Can take on additional duties (e.g. teaching, supervision) in 2nd and subsequent years (no more than 50 hours / term) – with written statement of support from Academic Supervisor / Mentor & Enterprise Mentor, & IRC approval

EPS 2016 – Postgrad call

Degree type & duration of funding

• Duration of funding dependent on type of degree being pursued and the date of first registration– New entrants entitled to funding for full duration

• Scholarships must start on 1st February 2017

• Scholars already registered for degree above are not eligible for funding, except those who completed part of the degree:– Self-funded– In receipt of SUSI grant– In receipt of HEI-funded bursary or scholarship – In receipt of Central Remedial Clinic Ciaran Barry Graduate Scholarship

NB: Talk to the RSU!

Degree type Duration of full degree

Date of first registration Indicative duration of funding to be given

Research Masters

12 months Jan/Feb 2017 ONE Year

Registrations prior to Feb 2017 are ineligible

Structured Research Masters

24 months Jan/Feb 2017 TWO Years

Jan/Feb 2016 ONE Year

Registrations prior to Feb 2016 are ineligible

Traditional Doctorate

36 months Jan/Feb 2017 THREE YEARS

Jan/Feb 2016 TWO YEARS

Jan/Feb 2015 ONE YEAR

Registrations prior to Feb 2015 are ineligible

Structured Doctorate

48 months Jan/Feb 2017 FOUR YEARS

Jan/Feb 2016 THREE YEARS

Jan/Feb 2015 TWO YEARS

Jan/Feb 2014 ONE YEAR

Registrations prior to Feb 2014 are ineligible

Scholars• Scholars must

– Be full-time students in an eligible HEI– Must not be a permanent member of staff in a HEI– Have 1H or 2H1 primary degree or equivalent– Be new entrants to the degree or else fulfil criteria mentioned

on 2nd last slide– Not have applied more than once to the Scheme– Not hold, or previously held, an IRC Postgraduate Scholarship

(exception is Masters Scholarship if intending to pursue PhD)

• Scholars from any country may hold an IRC EPS Scholarship/Fellowship

Scholarship value

Total max. value €24,000 pa

• Tax-free stipend: €16,000 pa

• Fees: Up to €5,750 pa (€4,500 K @ WIT 2016/7)

• Eligible direct research expenses: Up to €2,250 pa

EP must contribute 1/3 of the total value of the scholarship: max €8K pa

EPS 2016 - Postdoc call

Current call

• 24-month fellowship

• Fellowships must start on 1st February 2017

Eligibility criteria

Must• have been awarded doctoral degree (date of graduation)

OR fulfilled all the requirements for the award (including viva defence if not yet graduated)…within five year period before 31 July 2016

• have authored or co-authored at least one published peer-reviewed research publication OR equivalent IP output OR provide samples of written work with application (thesis: TOC, chapter – plus one other sample)

Eligibility criteria

Must not• hold/have previously held an IRC EPS Postdoctoral Fellowship

– can have held an IRC GOI Postdoctoral Fellowship – have been a postdoc for >5yrs at 31 July 2016

• be a permanent member of staff at an Irish or international HEI/RPO

Fellows from any country are eligible to apply (must maintain principle residence in Ireland).

What’s covered?

Total max. value €45,895/annum

• Salary: €31,275• PRSI: €3,365 (10.75% of salary)• Pension: €6,255 (20% of salary)• Eligible direct research expenses: max €5,000pa

EP must contribute 1/3 of the total value of the fellowship: max €30,597 over 24-month duration

Research mobility• IRC strongly advocates a variety of experience within the

postdoctoral phase of career development

• Fellows with no postdoctoral experience will normally be supported only at a different HEI/RPO and with a different Academic Mentor, and research team, than those with which they completed their PhD

• Fellows with postdoctoral research experience will normally be supported only at a different HEI/RPO and with a different Academic Mentor than those where they are currently employed

Need strong justification for staying at same HEI/RPO

Application process:Both calls

In all cases it’s the

student/postdoc that

applies!

Application process: Applicant• Individual applicant registers online

• Sent login details

• Select Academic Supervisor/Mentor and EP from drop-down menu

• Provide contact details for other parties (referees)

• Fill in application form (English or Irish languages only)

IRC provides full guidance on using the online system

Application process: Academic Supervisor/Mentor and Referees

• Academic Supervisors/Mentors need to pre-register on

system if not already registered (via Research Office) -

referees don’t need to register

• All parties are sent login email invitation

• Complete form online

• Academic Supervisor/Mentor cannot be a referee also

• NB: Co-supervisors cannot be refereesChoose wisely!

Academic Supervisor/Mentor Form

1. Applicant details

2. Supervisor/mentor details

3. Supervisor/mentor experience: Top research outputs over the last 5 years and impact of your work on research area (500 words)

4. Comments on applicant: Characteristics and achievements, suitability for a career in research (500 words)

5. Academic host environment: Training & career development, resources, integration (500 words)

6. Enterprise partner details: Details of discussions about the proposed research, previous collaborations, how proposed research will benefit the researcher and advance your research (500 words)

Enterprise Mentor Form1. Applicant details

2. Enterprise Partner details

3. Enterprise Mentor details: Relevant mentoring experience to date (500 words)

4. EP host environment• Relevant co./organisation work in the proposed research area (300 words)• How collaboration will benefit the co./org (300 words)• How researcher will make specific contribution to the org’s work (300 words)• How researcher will benefit from working with org on the proposed research (300 words)

5. HEI details: Details of discussions about the proposed research, previous collaborations (300 words)

Referee form1. Applicant details

2. Referee details

3. Relationship to the applicant

4. Recommendation: Observations on the characteristics and achievements of the applicant; suitability for a career in research (500 words)

Important dates (Both Schemes)Details Deadline

Call open March 2016

FAQ Deadline 4pm 9th May 2016

Applicant Deadline 4pm (Irish Time) 10th June

Academic Mentor, Enterprise Mentor and Referee Deadline 4pm (Irish Time) 17th June

Research Office Endorsement Deadline 4pm (Irish Time) 24th June

Outcome of Scheme September 2016

Scholarship Start Date 1st January 2017

Preparing an application• ASAP - Talk to:

– Academic Supervisor / Mentor– Enterprise Partner – Two Referees

• Talk to us about FAQ (DL 4pm 9th of May)– IRC will not enter into individual correspondence with applicants

• Ethical approval?

• Data management, Protection & Security

• Biological Sex/Gender Dimension Statement? http://www.yellowwindow.be/genderinresearch/index_downloads.html

Read the T&C and Guide for Applicants

Gender dimension to research

Evaluation criteriaPostgrad call

Check ‘Guide for Applicants’ Available on IRC website

Evaluation criteria – Postgrad callCriterion Marks

Project• Quality of the research project (40)• Training & career development aspects of the proposal (10)

50

ApplicantCapability of the applicant

30

EnvironmentSuitability of the host organisation(s)

20

Total 100

Quality of the research project• Clarity and coherence of the proposed research project

• Quality and appropriateness of approach, including– research methodology– consideration of ethical and sex/gender issues and the limitations of the

approach to be adopted

• Feasibility and credibility of the proposed research plan in the proposed time period

• Originality and innovative nature

• Dissemination plans

40%

Training & career development • Clarity and quality of Training and Career Development Plan

– To acquire new knowledge and skills – To achieve research and professional development aims

• Evidence of real thought as to why research is to be undertaken

• Impact of the proposed award on the applicant’s career path

10%

Capability of the applicant

• Track record and research potential of the applicant

• Personal statement

• Referees’ reports

• Match between applicant profile and research project

30%

Personal statement• Really important!

• WHY…– You? – A Masters/PhD?– Host institution?– Academic supervisor?– EP? Enterprise Mentor?– This project?

Environment

• Suitability and ability of Academic Supervisor and Enterprise Mentor to provide adequate supervision

• Quality of infrastructure and facilities provided by Host Organisation(s) HEI (10%),Enterprise Partner (10%)

• Match between Applicant, Academic Supervisor, Enterprise Mentor and Host Organisation(s).

20%

Evaluation criteriaPostdoc call

Check ‘Guide for Applicants’ once online system opens

Evaluation criteria – Postdoc callCriterion Marks

Track record/research potential of the applicant 30

Training and Career Development Aspects and Impact of the Fellowship

25

Quality of the Research Project 25

Quality of the Host Organisation(s)/Implementation of the Fellowship

20

Total 100

Applicant track record/potential

• Research experience (based on their academic CV)

• Research results in relation to the level of research experience

• Evidence of independent thinking and leadership qualities

• Match between the researcher’s profile and the proposed project

30%

Training & career development

• Clarity and quality of objectives in the career development and training plan

• Potential acquisition of new research related and transferable skills

• Potential to acquire new knowledge

• Impact of the proposed fellowship on the applicant’s career path

25%

Quality of the research project

• Research quality

• Potential to advance fundamental understanding of the topic and/or potential for research impact

• Originality and innovativeness

• Suitability of the proposed methodology and approach

• Feasibility

25%

Quality of the host organisation

• Suitability and quality of the Host Organisation(s)

• Host expertise in developing experienced researchers in the field

• Ability of Host Organisation(s) to allow full implementation of all aspects of the fellowship

• Ability of Host Organisation(s) to assist the fellow in integrating in their new research environment

20%

Evaluation

Four-stage evaluation process1. Eligibility check by IRC

2. Remote evaluation by Outer International Assessor Board, scoring & ranking (at least 2 members). Qual and quant feedback. – Those unsuccessful at this stage will be notified

3. Remote evaluation by International Assessment Board

4. Assessment Board meeting in Dublin, final scoring & ranking

Assessment procedure• Separate pots of funding for:

– AHSS applications– STEM applications

• Focus on funding excellence, originality and potential

• No subject quotas, no favoured topics nor disciplines

• No bias towards Masters (1 or 2 years) or PhDs (3 or 4 years) in Postgrad call

• No bias for ‘new applications’ versus ‘already started’

Important points to note

Points to note• Be focused

• Keep language simple, declarative and precise in all sections– Use jargon free language

• The IRC Budget is extremely limited + they get lots of applications:– How can you make yours stand out?– Think about potential outputs/dissemination– Consider the impact of your proposal

• International reputational risk particularly for HEI and supervisor if application is poor

• Should not apply just for the sake of it!

General assessor comments• Lack of awareness of ethical considerations

• Process – significant & feasible

• Need for clear methodological approaches

• Importance of certain skills: e.g. languages

• Choice of Mentors & HEI: very important and generally not treated as such

• Referees should be more to the point (frank)

• Apparent lack of input from Mentor/Department/Research Advice

Other common rejection reasons• Referee/Supervisor/Mentor(s) forms not received

• Authorisation of Research Body not obtained

• Inconsistent information

• Incomplete information

• Past the deadline - Ensure to follow up with your Supervisor/Mentors/Referees

Got a project & EP but no student / postdoc to apply?

• You can advertise for a student via the IRC and the RSU–View IRC website for previous examples

• Please contact Louise in the RSU to request advertising assistance

Accessing information and support

Support – RSU will…• Assist in:

– Identifying potential academic supervisors / students– Preparing applications, references– Preparing research agreements with companies - TTO

• Provide support packs for applicants, supervisors/mentors, & referees

• Liaise with IRC: FAQs, online system

• Review applications and references

For support contact

Ms Louise Bolger Research Officer, National Research ProgrammesRSU, Room IT 1.07, Walton IT Building, Cork Road Campus

lbolger@wit.ie +353 51 834026

@WIT_Research