Abstract

Since its foundation in 2007, the ERC has been funding frontier research performed by excellent researchers and their teams within Europe. It is an investigator-driven type of funding aimed at introducing new concepts or creating a paradigm shift in existing research lines. Scientific excellence is key for the ERC. An ERC grant is a label of excellence and a springboard for starting and consolidator grantees’ careers.
Excellent research needs excellent research support. EU-LIFE - an alliance of 15 independent European research institutes in the life sciences - goes in this direction. It contributes to the improvement of research by influencing science policies, developing, implementing and disseminating best practices in the organization and management of research institutes. Best practice exchange is done through Working Groups (WG), among them the Grants & Funding Strategies WG, of which we are part of.
In our WG, we joined forces to train and support our ERC starting and consolidator applicants by organizing two editions of an ERC Masterclass (2021 & 2023). The Masterclass was designed as a two-day online workshop in which interaction is essential.
On the first day, WG ERC experts provide participants with detailed insights on the ERC funding schemes, the application and review process, the content of the different application parts and challenge them to think outside the box. This is alternated by a testimonial session in which EU-LIFE ERC grantees and former panel members share their experience and advice.
On the second day, the participants gain insight on how to build a strong CV and on the administrative part of the application. The afternoon is reserved for brainstorming sessions, during which each applicant pitches their research idea to a mock panel composed of EU-LIFE ERC grantees and former panel members. This brainstorming provides them with highly valuable feedback on their idea: is it ERC-worthy? Too broad? Too narrow? Groundbreaking?
The feedback from participants and mock panel members after both masterclasses was highly positive. All participants would recommend the class to their colleagues, and the most appreciated sessions were the testimonial and brainstorming ones, indicating that interaction with former panel members and grantees is key.
By pooling the knowledge and experience of EU-LIFE grant officers, panel members and grantees, the added value is multiple: i) applicants get access to a much larger pool of experts than at their institutes alone; ii) EU-LIFE grant officers can learn from each other’s training ‘style’ and get insight into the type of support provided to ERC candidates, furthering their training and expertise; iii) it fosters a culture of sharing best practices and collaboration between the EU-LIFE institutes among both researchers and grant officers; iv) difficulties related to ERC application requirements, shared by top-quality research institutes, can be collected and presented to funders.
Obtaining an ERC grant is extremely competitive, and we believe it is crucial to support researchers when applying. In addition, the Masterclass represents an ideal opportunity for Best Practice Exchange among Research Managers to leverage their knowledge and day-to-day performance.