Gemma Irvine & Fiona Davis UL 26 th Feb 2013

1. Investing in People and Ideas Gemma Irvine & Fiona Davis UL 26th Feb 2013

2. Two Councils become one The mission of the Irish Research Council is to enable and sustain a vibrant and creative research community in Ireland

3. Council Members • Prof Orla Feely (Chair) UCD • Prof John Brewer, University of Aberdeen • Professor Thomas M Cooney, DIT • Dr Ivan Coulter, Sigmoid Pharma Ltd • Prof Caroline Fennell, UCC • Prof James Gleeson, UL • Prof Sheila Greene, TCD • Prof Anita R Maguire, UCC • Prof Rowena Pecchenino, NUI Maynooth • Prof Sean Ryder, NUI, Galway • Prof Alan F Smeaton, DCU • Dr Eucharia Meehan (Director, IRC)

4. Executive Staff • Dr Eucharia Meehan, Director • Dr Gemma Irvine, Assistant Director • Fiona Davis, Programme Manager • Sorcha Carthy, European Projects Officer • Dr Ruth-Blandina Quinn, European Projects Officer • Liz McFeely, Research Support • Margaret Egan, Research Support

5. IRC SCHEMES 2013

6. Postgraduate Scholarships

7. Conflict Resolution UnitDept of Foreign Affairs and TradeAndrew Grene Scholarship in Conflict Resolution 2013 • Women, peace and security; • Mediation; • Conflict prevention; • Supporting statement that demonstrates the appropriateness of project to the DFA themes

8. Postgraduate Scholarships • All Disciplines & types of research • Value of Award (Stipend €16k; Fees <€5,750 if not met by other source) • Eligible direct research expenses <€2,250pa • Full-time scholarships held at a recognised Irish HEI (does not include Northern Ireland) • Structured Degrees

9. Postgrad Eligibility • Anyone (EU & non-EU*) • EU applicants are defined as ordinarily resident within a Member State of the EU/Ireland. • With 1st or upper 2nd class honours primary degree (or equivalent); • Has not previously held or holding IRC award • Is not a permanent member of staff* • Two attempts only

10. Duration of Scholarship

11. Research Masters = 12 months

12. Duration of Scholarship

13. Structured Research Masters = 24 months

14. Duration of Scholarship

15. Traditional Doctoral Degree = 36 months

16. Duration of Scholarship

17. Structured Doctoral Degree* = 48 months

18. New Start OR already registered & part-completed?

19. October 2013 = New Start

20. New Start OR already registered & part-completed?

21. Prior to October 2013 = Already registered & completed part of Degree

22. How much funding can I get?

23. How much funding can I get?

24. Preparing an Application Read the T&C and Guide for Applicants • Talk to Supervisor/Enterprise Partner/Referees ASAP!! • Talk to Research Office • Ethical approval? • Gender Dimension Statement? • Data management, Protection & Security

25. Things to think about…. • Make a proper plan of action. • Think about your proposed study! • Description of project; methodology; research plan) is key – it’s worth 50 marks. • Answer all questions (or write n/a where not applicable). Word counts are maximums not targets! • Remember first impressions do count!! • Grammar, sqellcheak, proof read.

26. Things to think about…. • Be focused!! • Keep prose simple, declarative and precise in all sections – do not write in ‘essay mode’. • Use jargon free language. • The IRC Budget is extremely limited & we get thousands of applications: • How can you make your application stand out? • Think about potential outputs/dissemination • International reputational risk particularly for HEI and supervisor if application is poor • Should not apply just for the sake of it!

27. FAQs • The FAQs are available on the website. • Queries that are not addressed on the FAQs list may be sent to info@research.ie The question and answer will then be posted on the website. • The IRC willnot enter into individual correspondence to ensure transparency and equity of access to information.

28. Application ProcessThe IRC provides full guidance on using the online system APPLICANT: • Individual applicant registers online • Sent login details • Fill in application form (English or Irish languages only) • Provide contact details for other parties • Review your application & submit by 12th March 5pm (GMT)

29. Application ProcessThe IRC provides full guidance on using the online system SUPERVISOR/ENTERPRISE PARTNER/REFEREES: • Supervisor & Enterprise Partner need to pre-register on system (Referees don’t) • All parties sent login email invitation • Fill in specific form • Review & submit by 26th March 5pm (GMT)

30. Application ProcessThe IRC provides full guidance on using the online system HOST HEI ENDORSEMENT: • Sent notice that application is ready to review • Check all relevant parts • Endorse & submit by 9thth April 5pm (GMT) No alterations can be made once application is submitted Applicant sent confirmation email of endorsement

31. Evaluation Process Four-phase approach: • Eligibility Check and Adherence to Terms & Conditions; • Remote evaluation by International Assessors, scoring & ranking; • Remote evaluation by International Assessment Board; • Assessment Board meeting, scoring & ranking; [Project 50%; Applicant 30%; Environment 20%]

32. Focus on funding excellence, originality and potential Separate funding streams for AHSS Panel & STEM Panel & EPS Panel No subject quotas, no favoured topics nor disciplines No bias towards final year PhDs Both new and repeat applications are funded Evaluation Process

33. Lack of awareness of ethical considerations; Process – significant and feasible; Need for clear methodological approaches Importance of certain skills – pre and post PhD e.g. languages; Choice of supervisor & HEI – very important and generally not treated as such; Referees should be more to the point (frank) General Assessor Comments….(why applicants don’t get funded)

34. Apparent lack of input from Graduate Studies Office/Supervisor/Mentor/Department/ Research Advice Read Terms and Conditions carefully Read and re-read Evaluation Criteria whilst completing the application form Read your completed application before submitting – proof read at least and ask a second person to read it for you Listen to any advice given! General Assessor Comments….(why applicants don’t get funded)

35. Important • Funding is wholly subject to receipt of funding by IRC from the Department of Education and Skills , and the Enterprise Partner if applicable or the Department of Foreign Affairs, if applicable. • In the event of such funding being reduced or discontinued, neither the Department of Education and Skills, the Enterprise Partner, the Department of Foreign Affairs nor the IRC will be under any liability to provide funding or to compensate a Scholar for any reduction or cessation of such funding.

36. www.research.ie info@research.ie @irishresearch facebook.com/irishresearch

37. Investing in People and Ideas Gemma Irvine & Fiona Davis UL 26th Feb 2013

38. Two Councils become one The mission of the Irish Research Council is to enable and sustain a vibrant and creative research community in Ireland

39. Council Members • Prof Orla Feely (Chair) UCD • Prof John Brewer, University of Aberdeen • Professor Thomas M Cooney, DIT • Dr Ivan Coulter, Sigmoid Pharma Ltd • Prof Caroline Fennell, UCC • Prof James Gleeson, UL • Prof Sheila Greene, TCD • Prof Anita R Maguire, UCC • Prof Rowena Pecchenino, NUI Maynooth • Prof Sean Ryder, NUI, Galway • Prof Alan F Smeaton, DCU • Dr Eucharia Meehan (Director, IRC)

40. Executive Staff • Dr Eucharia Meehan, Director • Dr Gemma Irvine, Assistant Director • Fiona Davis, Programme Manager • Sorcha Carthy, European Projects Officer • Dr Ruth-Blandina Quinn, European Projects Officer • Liz McFeely, Research Support • Margaret Egan, Research Support

41. Postdoctoral Fellowships

42. GOI & EPS Postdoc Fellowships • All Disciplines & types of research • Value of Award (Salary €31,275k; PRSI & 20% pension if applicable) • Eligible direct research expenses <€5,000pa • Full-time Fellowships held at a recognised Irish HEI (does not include Northern Ireland)

43. Eligibility for GOI & EPS Fellowships • have doctoral degree completed within five year period before call deadline • have authored or co-authored at least one published peer-reviewed research publication or equivalent IP output or samples of written work Must not • hold/have held a GOI or EPS Postdoctoral Fellowship before • have been a Postdoc for <5yrs • be a permanent member of staff at a Higher Education Institution at home or abroad

44. Elevate Eligibility • Be an Experienced Researcher (ER) of any nationality (e.g. hold a PhD or have 4 years full-time equivalent research experience) • Be a resident of an EU or Associated Country - who is currently living in Ireland but does not have to be an Irish citizen. • Have been an ER for no more than 5 years • Have spent no more than 40% of his/her time during their ER career period carrying out research outside Ireland

45. Elevate FINANCE • If international host is HEI:If international host is non- HEI: • 40% EU Commission funding 40% EU Commission funding • 60% IRC funding 30% IRC funding • 30% Host Partner funding • 3 year Postdoctoral Fellowship • Total award, circa €87,000 per annum (x 3 = c€260k) • Includes all costs of researcher (e.g. salary €65k (incl PRSI, pension), mobility/travel €11k, research costs €10k, health insurance) • Cost to non-HEI, circa €26,000 per annum(x3 = c€78k) • Quarterly or annual invoices paid to the Irish Research Council in advance • Postdoctoral Researcher is an employee of the Irish HEI for the duration of the award

46. Preparing an Application Read the T&C and Guide for Applicants • Talk to Mentor/Enterprise Partner/Referees ASAP!! • Talk to Research Office • Ethical approval? • Gender Dimension Statement? • Data management, Protection & Security

47. Things to think about…. • Make a proper plan of action. • Think about your proposed study! • Description of project; methodology; research plan) is key – it’s worth 50 marks. • Answer all questions (or write n/a where not applicable). Word counts are maximums not targets! • Remember first impressions do count!! • Grammar, sqellcheak, proof read.

48. Things to think about…. • Be focused!! • Keep prose simple, declarative and precise in all sections – do not write in ‘essay mode’. • Use jargon free language. • The IRC Budget is extremely limited & we get thousands of applications: • How can you make your application stand out? • Think about potential outputs/dissemination • International reputational risk particularly for HEI and mentor if application is poor • Should not apply just for the sake of it!

49. FAQs • The FAQs are available on the website. • Queries that are not addressed on the FAQs list may be sent to info@research.ie The question and answer will then be posted on the website. • The IRC willnot enter into individual correspondence to ensure transparency and equity of access to information.

50. Application ProcessThe IRC provides full guidance on using the online system APPLICANT: • Individual applicant registers online • Sent login details • Fill in application form (English or Irish languages only) • Provide contact details for other parties • Review your application & submit by 20th March 5pm (GMT)