The EU Mentoring Network at the University of Münster is a programme that offers structured guidance to outstanding early-career researchers (R2 and R3) to assist in the preparation of European Research Council (ERC) grants. Membership is competitive. As part of the University of Münster´s commitment to supporting early stage researchers, there is a specific focus on European Research Council (ERC) Starting and Consolidator Grants, and candidates are requested to apply to the programme as early as possible.
ERC grant applications are professionally supported by a mentoring team: Each team consists of two experienced researchers and consultants from Münster-based European Research Services GmbH (ERS), who have many years of expertise in mentoring ERC applicants.
The programme is organised into annual “classes”, and a rigorous schedule of workshops and advisory discussions are offered. In addition to personal mentors, participants in this programme benefit from regular interactions with the ERS GmbH consultants.
This exciting Network benefits from cooperation between the Vice-Rectory for Research and the Centre for Europe at the University of Münster.
The EU Mentoring Network was founded by the Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Dr Monika Stoll, and Prof. Dr Ryan Gilmour, who also chairs the programme. The coordinator of the programme is Nicola Willenberg.
For more information, please contact the programme coordinator nicola.willenberg@uni-muenster.de and include a copy of your CV.
-
ERC Grants
The European Research Council (ERC) funds fundamental, ground-breaking, cutting-edge research. Funding is not tied to a specific topic and is open to all subject areas and disciplines. The decisive criteria for the approval of funding are the excellence of the research programme and the applicant´s track record. ERC Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grants are personalised, portable grants.
Applications can only be submitted during an open call. Calls are usually opened annually.
Starting Grants
Starting Grants can only be awarded to individuals between two and seven years after obtaining their doctoral degree. An extension of this period may be granted in individual cases due to parental leave, long-term illness, or other circumstances.
The funding amount is up to 1.5 million euros for the duration of the project (up to five years).
Consolidator Grants
Consolidator Grants can only be awarded to individuals between seven and twelve years after the award of the doctoral degree. An extension of this period may be granted in individual cases due to parental leave, long-term illness, or other circumstances.
The funding amount is up to 2.5 million euros for a project duration of up to five years.
-
Mentees
The EU Mentoring Network has been designed to support outstanding early-career researchers with a doctoral degree. The programme is specifically aimed at researchers in career stages R2 and R3. According to the European framework for scientific career paths, this is defined as follows: ‘R2 - Recognised Researcher/PhD holders or equivalent who are not yet fully independent’ and ‘R3 - Established Researcher/researchers who have developed a level of independence’.
ERC Starting Grants can be applied for by promising researchers within a period of between two and seven years after their doctorate. An extension of the deadline can be granted due to e.g. parental leave or under other circumstances. Successful applicants must have already proven themselves as experts in their field of research through independent publications.
ERC Consolidator Grants can be applied for by recognized experts in their field of research from seven to twelve years after the award of the doctoral degree. An extension of the deadline may be granted due to e.g. parental leave or under other circumstances.
The mentees are supported by ERS GmbH advisors and their personal mentors throughout the entire application process. A rigorous training programme provides participants with a thorough introduction to all parts of the application process, provides comprehensive information about the expert panels and prepares them for the selection interviews.
The support programme for mentees includes academic and strategic advice throughout the application process. In addition, the programme helps to make researchers and the status group of early-career researchers more visible within and outside the University of Münster and connect them more closely.
-
Mentors
As experienced researchers with considerable experience in EU projects, mentors support and advise the early-career researchers throughout the entire application phase. As part of a tandem mentoring approach consisting of a mentor from a related discipline and a mentor from another discipline, participants work closely with the ERS GmbH advisors, who provide professional support throughout the application process.
The mentors identify and nominate candidates for the network. They maintain personal contact with mentees throughout the application process, provide strategic advice and offer insights into their experiences with applications and selection interviews.
Prof Dr Ryan Gilmour (chairman)
Institute for Organic Chemistry
Prof Dr Björn Braunschweig
Institute of Physical Chemistry
Prof Dr Michael Brach
Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Prof Dr Olga Garcia Mancheño
Institute for Organic Chemistry
Prof Dr Hans-Peter Grosshans
Faculty of Protestant Theology
Prof Dr Marcello Parreira do Amaral
Institute of Education
Prof Dr Thorsten Quandt
Department of Communication
Prof Dr Mario Schelhaas
Institute of Cellular Virology
Prof Dr Lydia Sorokin
Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry
Prof Dr Christian Weinheimer
Institute of Nuclear Physics
Prof Dr Wolfgang Zeier
Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry -
European Research Services GmbH Consultants
European Research Services (ERS) GmbH has proven expertise in advising on ERC application formats. Professional application advisors support and optimise the mentees' entire application process by providing needs-oriented and relevant training and advice. ERS consultants work in a close network together with the mentors.
The advisors at ERS GmbH offer the mentees a differentiated insight into the assessment process. The mentees gain an insight into the criteria used by reviewers to categorise and evaluate previous academic achievements and project applications.
The ERS GmbH training programme provides information and knowledge about the application process, the panels in the selection procedure and the components of the application. The working sessions provide a sound introduction to all parts of the application. In addition, extensive information materials are provided and assistance is given with all parts of the application, such as budgeting.
The ERS GmbH consultants are available as contact persons at all times, comment on parts of the application, provide support in complying with the necessary administrative processes and prepare for the selection interviews.
-
Classes
In April 2024, the first annual class of the EU Mentoring Network, the ‘Class of 2024’, began its training programme, which will end in October 2024. The training programme comprises working sessions on all parts of the application.
In addition to the training programme, all mentees receive personal support from two mentors and the ERS GmbH advisors until the selection interviews.
The ‘Class of 2024’ has eleven members from nine different centres, institutes and subjects.
The ‘Class of 2025’ will start in November 2024 and there is an opportunity to apply. Please send an email with your CV to the coordinator Nicola Willenberg: nicola.willenberg@uni-muenster.de.
-
Coordination
Nicola Willenberg
Centre for Europe
Leonardo-Campus 3
48149 Münster
Phone: +49 251 83-38092
nicola.willenberg@uni-muenster.de