Writing for a collaborative project
Below you can find an overview of all useful general resources for each step of writing a collaborative proposal.
Overview resources in External Research Funding pages
- Step 1: Go to the funding calendar to see the specific requirements for the grant you want to apply for. Bookmark this page, it will guide you through all relevant information. Read the call related documents.
- Step 2: Read prepare for a collaborative grant to decide if you want to apply, what you need to do before you are ready to start writing and to organise the writing. Talk with your local grant adviser and faculty about your plans.
- Step 3: For Horizon Europe collaborative proposals read how to score with your H2020 collaborative proposal and ask your grant advisor for the Leiden University Guide for H2020 Coordinators (a Horizon Europe guide is in preparation). For all kinds of collaborative proposals, grant advisors can prepare a skeleton proposal with pointers and tips on what to write based on discussions you have with them.
- Step 4: Start writing using the annotated guideline in the funding calendar, the Leiden University Guide for H2020 Coordinators and use information on non-scientific chapters as a starting page for writing these sections. Note that this page often refers you to sections under Grant Awarded! What’s next? If you win the Horizon Europe bid, execution of the your plan as outlined in the proposal will be closely monitored.
Training and information meetings
The Grant Development team offers training and information meetings to get more in-depth knowledge about collaborative grants. Funders also regularly organise information and matchmaking events for facilitating collaborative research. Check the funding calendar page for an overview of upcoming internal and external activities. Subscribe to our external funding newsletter to keep up to date.
Hands-on support for a collaborative proposal
These pages are designed to make all the necessary information accessible to you. However, please contact your local grant advisor as soon as you start thinking about writing a proposal. The advisor can do more if you involve them on time. They will be happy to discuss your outline at an early stage, guide you quickly through the writing process, prepare a skeleton for your proposal and are available as a sounding board and for critical review. Make sure you make use of the available expertise.
You can also decide to make use of professional writers and editors. Please ask your local grant advisor about the options for the professional editing services provided by the university. The costs need to be covered by your institute. Note that the costs for writing a collaborative proposal cannot be recovered from the grant, whatever the consultant tells you. Some consultants offer a package for proposal writing and project management. Your local advisor or the Grant Development Office can advise you on negotiating a fair deal.