Thread by @Economicbotany

Congrats to all the successful @MSCActions Marie Curie fellowships just awarded! Last autumn was my first as an evaluator ('expert'), spent a month deeply immersed in applications; this is my personal advice to future applicants #MSCA 1/11

Simple point: assessment is 100% based on your application. Make sure EVERY point in the manual for evaluators (latest version) is covered. Scoring is by strengths/weaknesses; failure to answer a point = a weakness. 2/11

I saw a fair process; excellent proposals got top marks. Crucial stage is when the 3 evaluators arrive at consensus through *very* close reading of proposals. Give us the consistent detail we need to make your case. Methodology, permits, everyone's role - don't be vague! 3/11

Everyone had a great research question; many didn't explain how their work would answer it. Be explicit about hypotheses, possible patterns of data, methodology: how does the research translate into answers? A pilot study can help convince this will work. 4/11

Be realistic about what can be done in two years: *build on your existing skills* rather than planning to learn a new discipline that takes min. 5 years. If the new skill is difficult, show there is sufficient support (e.g. technician, colleagues) to get the work done. 5/11

You don't need big name host, just credible, international in outlook, active in writing the proposal (no boilerplate text please). Be explicit and creative about integration and *two-way* exchange of skills. Secondments in further country/ies are good (but explain purpose). 6/11

Academic dissemination is easy – journals & conferences (be sure to explain how these chosen) – but pay attention to “exploitation”, often neglected. How will you ensure your amazing results and methodology actually influence other academics/industry/policy? 7/11

Be creative and explicit on public engagement plans & piggy-back on the host's existing initiatives. Have outreach at all the host sites and fieldwork countries. Involve the host institutes in the plan. Say how you'll explain your research to different audiences. 8/11

Less exciting but... make sure Gantt chart and risk register (with backup plans) are complete, that management of all parts of project is clear with named people, necessary permissions obtained... 9/11

I saw no advantage to rushing proposal. Excellent proposals are funded 1st time round. So take time, get several PhD publications (incl. 1st author) out, do pilot study, really polish the document, get a colleague/MSCA Fellow to score it against the manual - and good luck! 10/11

And last, colleagues, *do sign up* to be an @MSCActions evaluator. It's tiring and frenetic (first time anyhow) but makes a real difference to the applicants (so much more than a referee's report) & you learn what makes an excellent application ec.europa.eu/info/funding-t… 11/11

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