Research Project Development from Idea to Funding (DUH220)


Course description for study year 2023-2024. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

DUH220

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

3

Semester tution start

Spring, Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring, Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by

Content

The main goal of this course is to introduce the participants to humanities and social science research design and project development from idea to funding. Research is one of the main pillars of the university sector. As more and more funding gets channeled through competitive grant schemes, researchers need to have the skills to acquire such funds.

The funding landscape is complex. Participants will get an overview of national and international funding sources. The course will prepare participants to identify appropriate sources of funding for their project idea and to tailor their concept to specific funding calls.

Research proposals must address scientific excellence, impact, and implementation of the project. There is a demand for research project that reach beyond the individual researcher to team-based projects. These may be small co-located teams at UiS or large collaborative teams with partners at other universities and other sectors, nationally and internationally. Projects can be based in disciplinary frames or based on interdisciplinary collaboration.

During the course, participants will develop their own project idea through individual and group work, with the aim of submitting a proposal for funding.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, participants will know about:

• sources of research funding relevant for the Norwegian academic sector.

• different categories of research projects used by the Research Council of Norway, the EU, and other international funders

• different sections of a research proposal

• research proposal evaluation processes

Skills

After completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• develop and articulate a project concept

• scale their project concept to meet the demands of a particular funding source

• identify partners and competencies for project teams

• find and interpret research funding calls

• write a research proposal that meets the requirements for excellence, impact, and implementation

• write a CV that best positions the researcher for the grant

General competence

After completion of the course, the participants will:

• understand the importance of national and international networks in developing projects

• understand the importance of applying for external funding

• be able to critically evaluate project descriptions and give constructive feedback

• be able to mobilize resources at UiS and elsewhere to assist in the project development process

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Draft and Evaluation of a fellow participant

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Draft (Research proposal) 1/2 Passed / Not Passed
Evaluation of a fellow participants research proposal 1/2 Passed / Not Passed

Home exam part 1: A solid draft of a research proposal, targeted at a specific funding source.Home exam part 2: An evaluation of a fellow participant’s research proposal, based on an appropriate review template.

Coursework requirements

Active participation in minimum 5 of 6 seminars
Active participation in minimum 5 of 6 seminars is required. Participation involves providing draft text, commenting within the seminar, and contributing to group work.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Dolly Jørgensen

Course teacher:

Finn Arne Jørgensen

Method of work

The course includes lectures, group work, individual exercises, and mentoring. Through six 3-hour seminars that emphasize discussion and interaction, course participants will develop their own project idea, identify appropriate sources of funding, and draft a proposal text. Participants will also review and comment on each other’s proposals.

Open for

The course is open for: 1) PhD students registered at UiS, in the final year of their PhD fellowship; and 2) researchers and faculty members at UiS aiming to submit a proposal for NFR, DIKU, or EU within the next year. Early career researchers, including postdocs, are particularly encouraged to apply

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course coordinator, the student representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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