How to write a successful H2020 MSCA-ITN proposal?
This content is out of date. H2020 MSCA-ITN became Horizon Europe MSCA doctoral fellowship in 2021. Check out our updated page: How to write a successful HE MSCA doctoral network proposal?
Your Horizon Europe MSCA-ITN Network Proposal – Our tips and tricks in a glance
- Reviewers have no time! Go straight to your point to convince them.
- Surprisingly, training is more important than science: What makes an MSCA-ITN proposal become a must-be-funded project
- Intersectoral, interdisciplinary, international: Gather the right players and win the game!
How to convince the reviewers that your MSCA-ITN proposal should be funded?
The reviewers will have to read lots of proposals in a very short time. Make their lives easier!
→ Tip #1 – Pitch your MSCA-ITN project in a one-page format.
Answer all the essential questions on the first page: explain the societal challenge the project will address, the solution proposed, and the significant steps to succeed.
→ Tip #2 – Summarize your ideas at the beginning of each paragraph, and give short and sharp conclusions at the end of each section.
Keep only the essential; be straightforward and structured.
→ Tip #3 – The MSCA-ITN guide for applicants is your best friend!
Be sure to answer 100% of the points mentioned in the MSCA-ITN guide.
How to stand out from the crowd with your MSCA-ITN proposal?
Keep in mind the primary goal of an ITN project: to train highly qualified ESRs.
→ Tip #4 – Invest time in building your training program.
The project’s excellence is crucial, but the training program is at least as necessary. Be specific and stay credible. Show how your MSCA-ITN will benefit the PhD students’ careers.
→ Tip #5 – The EU only funds outstanding consortia addressing significant societal or technical challenges.
To get your Horizon Europe MSCA project, solve societal issues.
What is an outstanding MSCA-ITN consortium for EU?
→ Tip #6 – Respect the 3 “I”s rule: INTERDISCIPLINARY, INTERNATIONAL, INTERSECTORAL
Interdisciplinary
Expertise must complement each other, and all the partners must be indispensable.
International
International collaboration is needed to gather the best researchers in each field!
Intersectoral
The public and private sectors have to complement each other to train the ESR and meet the objectives of the ITN project.
→ Tip #7 – Complementarity of the ESR’s project, but no dependency.
→ Tip #8 – ESRs must be trained by the best!
Each ESR should have an academic and non-academic supervisor.
Feel a bit lost? Check out our page What is a MSCA-ITN!
Our microfluidic expertise and MSCA-ITN projects
We will be glad to participate in your project. Visit our dedicated webpage to learn more about our expertise as H2020 and Horizon Europe partner!
Curious about the calls currently open?
We are particularly interested in the following calls but remain open to any collaboration!
- EIC WORK PROGRAMME that supports all stages from R&D to industry for game-changing innovations
- HORIZON EUROPE RIA CALLS, specifically focusing on health and food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and environment
Have a look at our funded MSCA-ITN proposals:
Protometabolic pathways: exploring the chemical roots of systems biology
