Understanding climate
for the benefit of society

Proposal Writing Class

Training and coaching for early career scientists at the Bjerknes Centre to develop and formulate own research ideas into successful project proposals

When: Once a year, starting in October, 5 months before the Thematic Priority researcher projects call deadline of Research Council of Norway (NFR). Bi-weekly online lectures of 1-1,5 hours. On-site writing and Q&A sessions on participants’ own proposals in between the online lectures. Regular feedback on individual proposals. (NOTE! There will be no class in Autumn 2024. From 2025 onward, the class will be held in Spring).
Participants: Target group are scientists who have concrete plans to submit a project proposal but have little or no experience yet in proposal writing. Early career scientists (PhD, Post Doc, Researcher) will be given priority.

Lecturers: The class is arranged by the research advisers of the Bjerknes member institutes UiB-GFI, UiB-GEO, NORCE Klima&Miljø and NERSC.
 
Over a period of 5 months, participants consecutively develop their scientific idea into a complete proposal ready to submit. Specific aspects of project proposals – such as objectives, impact, CV, work plan – are explained during dedicated lectures. Participants get tools and concrete instructions for writing sessions on these aspects. Until the next lecture, participants send their drafts to their research adviser who provides individual feedback. Participants should also interact with a scientific mentor for scientific feedback.
 

 

Caption: Course concept. For 2023-24, the progress line is in-line with the NFR thematic call deadlines of March 2024. However, individual feedback and mock evaluations by their adviser can also be provided to applicants prior to other relevant deadlines, such as those for MSCA PF and ERC StG.
Caption: Course concept. For 2023-24, the progress line is in-line with the NFR thematic call deadlines of March 2024. However, individual feedback and mock evaluations by their adviser can also be provided to applicants prior to other relevant deadlines, such as those for MSCA PF and ERC StG.

The class is suited to applicants for NFR funding schemes within FRIPRO and thematic Priority calls for Researcher Project for Early Career Scientists, Three-year Researcher Project with International Mobility, Researcher Project for Experienced Researchers, in addition to EU MSCA PF and ERC StG. Lectures will be adapted to the participants’ needs.

The focus of this class is on an assisted full proposal development towards a concrete deadline. Early career scientists who are interested in general proposal writing training but are not yet ready to develop a full proposal are encouraged to join the annual 2-day CHESS proposal writing workshop which will be arranged in Spring 2024 (and then in Autumn from 2025 onward).