DWIH Workshop on “Grant Writing & Management” University of Hyderabad

Event Information

November 29 to December 1, 2018

Hyderabad
Organizer(s): DWIH - German Centre for Research and Innovation New Delhi; Max Planck Society; University of Cologne

India Offices of Max Planck Gesellschaft (MPG) and University of Cologne (UoC) in association with the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New Delhi organised a series of workshops on “Grant Writing & Management”. The workshops were held from 26th to 28th November 2018 in New Delhi and 29th November to 1st December in Hyderabad.

The idea was to illustrate the methods and technical know-how required to prepare successful international research proposals irrespective of a certain disciplinary field. The workshops covered topics ranging from content development of a research proposal to budget planning. This model of specialized workshops was well received by the participants and was a great success, as evident from requests to conduct similar workshops in the future as well.

The workshops were attended by the young researchers and Ph.D. holders from various institutes of research & higher education in both the cities.

An overwhelming number of applications was received, out of which the most suitable were selected. In Delhi and Hyderabad, we collectively had 120 participants (65 in Delhi & 55 in Hyderabad). During the workshop, the experts formed groups based on the academic levels and research interests of the workshop participants. The interaction within the group, followed by group presentations, were the highlights of the workshops.

In addition, the participants also benefitted from the presence of representatives of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), German Research Foundation (DFG), Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation and EURAXESS. As scientific writing skills can have a dramatic impact on the research career of a junior scientists, the participants were familiarised with this skill set.

On the final day, mock interviews were conducted, wherein the participants presented their individual research and were prepared to face the selection committee.

As “Grant Writing & Management” is a vast topic, only the major aspects could be covered in the limited time frame of the workshops. Similar feedback was given by the workshop participants as well.

Keeping in view the success of these workshops, India Offices of Max Planck Gesellschaft (MPG) and University of Cologne (UoC) are eager to organize similar workshops in the coming years.

Experts:

  1. Mr. Salvatore Angilletta, EU Liaison Office, Max Planck Institutes Cologne
  2. Dr. Friederike Heuck, Dezernat 9 – Internationales, University of Cologne

Organizers:

Ms Poonam Sehgal Suri – Max Planck Gesellschaft (India Office)
Dr Amisha Jain – University of Cologne (India Office)

Programme

Day 1- 29th November 2018

Time (hrs) Programme
15:00 h – 16:00 h Registration
16:00 h – 18:00 h Introduction of participants
Short introduction of MPI and UoC
Glance through the schedule of next two days & informal interaction
Group work: to assess present career situation and perspective

Day 2 – 30th November 2018

Time (hrs) Programme
09:30 h – 10:30 h Introducing active career development and profile building through European Union and German funding programmes – Salvatore Angilletta, MPG
How to systematically integrate grants into career pathways, overview of funding landscape; technical challenges (self-assessment, reference letters, relationship with the host institution, research ethics, collaborative research)
10:30 h – 11:30 h Group work: Reflection
A closer look into individual project and career opportunities in Europe
11:30 h – 13:00 h Presentations by DFG, DAAD, AvH and EURAXESS
13:00 h – 14:00 h Lunch
14:00 h – 15:30 h Grant writing for international research – Dr. Friederike Heuck, UoC – Introduction to scientific writing
15:30 h – 16:00 h Presentation Alumni MPI and UoC
16:00 h – 16:30 h Tea Break
16:30 h – 17:30 h Grant writing for international research, Part II (UoC)
Preparing the title and abstract

Day 3 – 1st December 2018

Time (hrs) Programme
09:00 h – 11:30 h Group work, evaluation and discussion, feedback, understanding the perspective of peer-review (MPG & UoC)
11:30 h – 13:00 h Presentations of the groupwork
13:00 h onwards Closing of workshop & Lunch