The UNIRI Pre-award Research Support Centre (CPP) has held an intensive three-day workshop for prospective MSCA PF fellows and their mentors. This workshop programme followed up on the MSCA Info-day for UNIRI researchers held in May by the CPP. With a great number of interested potential PF fellows, CPP has provided a unique and versatile workshop programme. The programme also included individual consultations with potential MSCA PF Fellows, making this preparation program an exclusive activity aimed at attracting global research talent to UNIRI and at increasing the participation of UNIRI researcher in the MSCA programme.
A focused, hands-on workshop was given by Sandra Vidović, MSCA NCP from the Croatian Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes on the first workshop day. As an experienced MSCA NCP Sandra gave invaluable insight, precise guidelines including tips and tricks in writing the proposal. MSCA PF candidates from other European universities and their potential mentors from UNIRI, but also PF candidates from UNIRI, participated in an active discussion aimed at maximizing their chances for a successful MSCA PF application.
The second workshop day was devoted to sharing knowledge and presentations from researchers who have experience with the MSCA programme at the UNIRI. This part of the programme included a presentation from Richard Rudolf Rak, PhD. His presentation provided a helpful perspective from a postdoctoral researcher who has successfully gone through all the phases of the project proposal preparation in this specific Call. With a very encouraging note for potential MSCA Fellows at UNIRI, Dr. Rak has delivered an insightful presentation on his application process including an overview of the evaluation feedback for his project proposal.
The second day also included presentations from Tena Prelec, PhD, Assistant Professor from the UNIRI Centre for Advanced Studies, who will be employing an ERA Fellow (alternative funding for MSCA PF Programme) starting from September 2025, after receiving the grant on ERA Fellowships call. She was followed by Kristijan Lenac, PhD, Full Professor from the Faculty of Engineering, who participated in previous MSCA Calls as an evaluator. Both provided very focused instructions for prospective MSCA Fellows and answered many questions from the active audience.
All in all, the MSCA PF workshop offered expert guidance, examples of successful MSCA applications, and an evaluator’s perspective. The workshops were followed by individual consultations provided by CPP with candidates based on their application drafts.
Presentations can be downloaded below:
Pre-Award Research Support Centre (CPP) / Ana Butković, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellowships – how to write project proposal / Sandra Vidović
MSCA fellow’s success story – project DGIP-CEDS / Richard Rudolf Rak, PhD
Successful story – project ILLINVESTMENTS (A Mentor’s Perspective) / Tena Prelec, PhD