
 Perspectives on Science
 Perspectives on Science Early Careers Workshop #7: Grant Writing Master Class
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 Sep 22, 2025  Simone Turchetti, a professor at the University of Manchester and an expert grant-writer, shares valuable insights on securing funding for research. He emphasizes the importance of framing ambitious questions and aligning proposals with funder priorities. Simone discusses the nuances of various grants, including ERC and Marie Curie fellowships, and the critical role of narrative structure in proposals. He also highlights common pitfalls applicants face and the significance of presenting a compelling CV, as well as project planning to ensure success. 
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Balance Small Grants And Big Projects
- Mix small pump-priming grants with big awards to balance freedom and structure in your career.
- Small grants let you test ideas you couldn't pursue in large, heavily managed projects.
Use Marie Curie For Mobility And Training
- Use Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships for training and mobility; they require moving to a host in a different country.
- Plan your career development and secondments explicitly to score on training and impact criteria.
ERC Funds PI-Led Freedom
- ERC grants are individual awards given to a PI but paid to a host organization, granting substantial freedom over research direction.
- This structure supports high-risk, high-reward frontier research driven by the investigator.
