Introduction to grant writing
This course introduces PhD students to the fundamentals of grant writing and the European research funding landscape, with a focus on Horizon Europe. It offers practical strategies for identifying funding opportunities and developing competitive project proposals. Preceding the core sessions, an introductory lecture will critically examine key issues in contemporary science, including hyper-competition, publication pressure, and ethical challenges. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to draft effective proposals, addressing key components such as objectives, methodology, impact, dissemination, and project management.
- ECTS: 1
- Total hours: 8
- Language: Eng
- Mode of participation: In person (preferred) with the option to attend remotely.
- Course code: INV.TRSVL.27
- Category: RESEARCH MANAGEMENT, KNOWLEDGE OF RESEARCH SYSTEM AND FUNDING SYSTEM
How To Apply
Contact for registration: dottorati@unimib.it
- 13/04/2026 10:30 am 12:30 pm CET TBD
- 14/04/2026 14:00 pm 16:00 pm CET TBD
- 16/04/2026 14:00 pm 16:00 pm CET TBD
- 17/04/2026 14:00 pm 16:00 pm CET TBD
Assessment of a practical exercise during the last lesson (either in presence or in remote attendance)
NOTE: an overall attendance (either remotely or in presence) of 70% of the course is required to have the credit approved, therefore students must attend a minimum of 3 of the 4 planned lessons (2 hours per lesson for a total of 8 hours of the course). The last lesson, that will include a practical exercise on the contents of the course, is compulsory to obtain the credit. The teachers will register the attendees at the beginning of each lesson.
4 - Quality Education
Objectives of the course are:
• Teach the basic skills of Grant Writing
• Provide an overview of the European projects landscape (Horizon Europe in particular)
• Introduce basic strategies and tools to search for forthcoming calls (e.g. EU Funding&Tender portal)
The course is preceded by a lesson in which some aspects of contemporary science will be illustrated and discussed, from excessive competition for re-search funds and academic positions, to the constant growth of publications, from the uncritical use of bibliometric indexes to ethically questionable behavior.
After the course, the candidates will be able to approach a project proposal according to the standard sections required by most of the proposal templates, in particular:
• Objectives
• Methodology including transversal aspects
• Workplan including Work Packages, Tasks, Deliverables, Milestones
• Impact
• Communication, Dissemination, Exploitation
• Project Management
• Fair Data Management elements
• Open Science Practices outline
Name of the faculty:
Prof. Gianfranco Pacchioni – Department of Materials Science
Dr. Fiorenza de Micheli – Research and Third Mission
Dr. Mizar Luca Federici – Research and Third Mission
Contact for registration: dottorati@unimib.it