Introducing Trans-Domain
Proposals pilot procedure
Lieve VAN DAELE
BELSPO - Brussels, 14 March 2014
by courtesy of COST Office
TDP Science Officers
COST is supported
by the EU Framework Programme
ESF provides the COST Office
through a European Commission contract
Motivations for a Pilot TDP
Evaluation Procedure
 Need to better respond to the needs of growing transdisciplinary research communities
 Lighter and faster evaluation procedure so as to give quick
answer to proposers
 Opportunity to allow COST to adapt and contribute to ERA
goals
 Preparing integrated procedures for proposal evaluation, Action
monitoring and impact assessment
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TDP Pilot Key Features
1.
Revised evaluation criteria and proposal template, enabling
clearer description, evaluation and implementation of Action
objectives, added value of networking, and COST activities
through which such objectives will be pursued
2.
Shortened evaluation process (time gain: ~1,5 months)
replacing the current two-proposal scheme with a one-proposal
scheme (10-15 pages)
3.
Efficient expert selection and allocation through newly
developed Expertise Grid and Expert Database
4.
Clearer description of the process through detailed Guidelines
for Proposers and Evaluators
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TDP Pilot Proposal Template
 More concise proposal without loss of meaningful
information, easier for both proposers and evaluators
TDP Pilot Proposal Template
A. Scientific and Technological Challenge
B. Added Value of Networking
C. Milestones and Deliverables – Contents and Timeframes
D. Action Structure and Participation
(Optional) References
Total length: ~ 10 – 15 pages
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New Challenges: Expert Identification
Proposal Registration (Deadline 7 March 2014)
Mandatory step not part of the evaluation itself, used for a
timely selection of experts
 The Proposal is registered via e-COST to improve
interaction and user-friendliness
 What is registered:
 Proposal Title, Acronym
 Initial idea: short abstract (up to 250 words)
 Areas of Expertise Needed for Evaluation: from a predefined multi-layered list of expertise areas
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New Challenges: Expert Identification
 COST Experts Database – Newly Developed
 Used for a timely identification of relevant experts
 Algorithm matching areas of expertise required by the proposal and
experts with relevant expertise
 Used in all steps of the evaluation procedure
 As of 15/02/2013:
 ~ 6000 registered experts (89% from COST Countries)
 All COST Countries represented
 Gender balance: 63% male, 37% female experts
 Early Stage Researchers (PhD+ 8 years): 25%
 Additional effort needed in covering all Research Areas
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Proposal Evaluation

1st step “Challenge Selection”:
 External experts evaluate remotely the scientific and technological
soundness and timeliness for which networking provides a clear added
benefit to address the challenge

2nd step “Implementation Plan”:
 DC Members and DC Experts evaluate remotely the coherence and
feasibility of the implementation plan supporting COST mission and criteria
 TDP Panel prepares consensus reports at a dedicated meeting

TDP Panel Hearings:
 TDP Panel and DC Chairs evaluate leadership potential, motivation and
drive, organisational and communication skills of the invited proposers
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Proposal Evaluation Criteria
Type
Section A
Criterion 1
Criterion 2
Criterion 3
Section A
Criterion 4
Criterion 5
Criterion 6
Section B
Criterion 7
Criterion 8
Section C
Criterion 9
Criterion 10
Criterion 11
Criterion 12
Section D
Criterion 13
Criterion 14
ID
A.1
A.1.1
A.1.2
A.1.3
A.2
A.2.1
A.2.2
A.2.3
B
B.1
B.2
C
C.1
C.2
C.3
C.4
D
D.1
D.2
Title
Features of the Challenge
State of the Art
Relevance and Timeliness
Challenge Feasibility
Type of Impact
Risk Level
Scientific versus Societal Impact
Timeframe
Added Value of Networking
In Relation to the Challenge
In Relation to Existing Efforts
Suitability for COST
Anonymity
Scope for COST Actions
Action Structure Suitability
Feasibility of Activities
Foreseen Participation
Network of Proposers
Plans to Involve Relevant Participants
COST enables break-through
scientific developments leading to
new concepts and products and
thereby contributes to strengthen
Europe’s research and innovation
capacities.
COST is a unique means for
European researchers to jointly
develop their own ideas and new
initiatives across all scientific
disciplines through trans-European
networking of nationally funded
research activities.
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TDP Pilot - timeline
Submissions to Trans-Domain Proposals
March 7th
closing of
registrations
MONTH
1
April 11th
Collection
MONTH 2
MONTH 3
JAF
MONTH
4
MONTH
Preparation of
Proposal
5
MONTH
6
MONTH
Approval CSO
7
MONTH
8
Preparation
of MoU
TDP Panel
Hearings (final list)
Step 1 - Challenge selection:
External experts evaluation
Step 2 - Implementation Plan:
TDP Panel
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New e-COST Tools: Proposal Registration
(Deadline 07/03)
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New e-COST Tools: Proposal Submission
(Collection Date: 11.04)
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New e-COST Tools: Network of Proposers

Invitation tool allows proposers to interact and COST to monitor the growth of
the network of proposers
Proposer 1
University of Berne
Dr. Proposer 1 (University of Berne)
 At least 5 Proposers (1 Main Proposer, 4 Secondary Proposers)
affiliated with legal entities based in at least 5 different COST Member
Countries or Cooperating State
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New e-COST Tools: Evaluation
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Practicalities
• Proposal Registration


Deadline: March 7th at 5pm
Mandatory – registration
• Proposal Submission

Deadline: April 11th at 5pm
• COST Experts database

Always Open: Disseminate the opportunity to researchers in
your country
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For Further Information
 TDP page
http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/TDP
 Open Call Guidelines for TDP Pilot
http://www.cost.eu/download/TDPguidelines
 e-COST (creation of user profile, proposal registration and submission)
https://e-services.cost.eu
 COST Experts page
http://www.cost.eu/participate/experts
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For Further Information
 TDP Science Officers
Are available to support researchers in your country with any
question regarding the TDP Pilot:
• Dr Giuseppe Lugano
Tel. +32 (0) 2 533 3822
giuseppe.lugano@cost.eu
• Dr Mafalda Quintas
Tel. +32 (0) 2 533 3834
mafalda.quintas@cost.eu
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