June 3, 2024: How to get MSCA Postoctoral fellowships?
4:00-5.30 pm | Conference room in Speicher B, Wissenschaftshafen, Otto-Hahn-Straße 2 and online via ZOOM
Talks and panel discussion
- Niko Isermann, Research Funding Support, OVGU and
- Prof. Dr. Fabien Evrard, Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA
Recap
Under the motto “Use the possibilities of the EU to get your own research funded during the postdoc phase”, we invited you to the “Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoc Fellowship” change of perspective. First, Niko Isermann from the OVGU Research Funding Advisory Service presented the basic principles and objectives of the MSCA program in general. He vividly compared the two types of scholarships - European or global - which both contain a mobility rule. Last but not least, Mr. Isermann highlighted the increased funding amount in 2024 compared to 2023 or 2025 as a possible additional incentive. Host institutions can be found at OVGU partner institutions within the framework of EU GREEN, but also at EURAXESS or in the Funding & Tender Portal.
Prof. Dr. Fabien Evrard, Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA and successful applicant of an OVGU global postdoctoral fellowship then shared his personal experiences from an applicant's perspective. He made it clear that several factors contributed to his successful application, e.g. that he had already found his host institution the year before his application, that his topic was transformative, that he had a career plan in addition to his research plan and that he was able to rely on administrative support from OVGU.
Other practical tips given by the speakers were:
- Be mbitious and realistic, but also take risks
- Find a collaboration partner who complements your skills
- Send the proposal to as many people as possible (colleagues and friends)
- Use the proofreading service provided by the national contact point for MSC