Marie Curie applications: tips & tricks
Marie Curie applications: tips & tricks
2 June 2025, 9h00-17h00
General context
Most scientists secure their own funding by applying for grants—a challenging task with low success rates and high time investment. To be competitive in the life sciences, you need to formulate a bold research question, write a clear and structured proposal, develop a strong research plan, and meet tight deadlines. This is where this interactive training comes in.
Targeted at final-year PhD students and postdocs planning to submit a funding application within the next 12 months, this course introduces the key principles of successful grant writing through hands-on practice, real-life examples, and expert feedback.
The training focuses on two core elements: crafting a strong abstract and compiling an impactful CV. Participants will receive individual feedback on both, based on documents submitted during registration. The course also covers other essential parts of a grant proposal—such as objectives, state-of-the-art, work packages, methodology, and evaluation criteria.
To sharpen your reviewer mindset, you’ll take part in a unique exercise using real VIB grant applications to identify strengths and weaknesses.
In the morning session, we focus on general principles of competitive (inter)national grant writing: how to write a convincing abstract, build a compelling CV, use effective language, and address the key elements of a proposal.
In the afternoon, we take a deep dive into Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowships, based on real VIB examples and reviewer summaries.
This training also marks the first step in the dedicated support provided by the VIB Grants team for MSCA applicants. The success rate of the applicants supported by the VIB Grants team is typically double compared to a general success rate of 12% with the last 2 years even reaching 40%.
➤ Participants aiming to apply for an MSCA IF are strongly encouraged to attend the full day, while those targeting national funding may join only the morning session.
Final year PhD students and postdocs planning to submit a research proposal in the near future.
I am happy that I took the course and I am sure the course will help me to prepare a better grant application. For me the course was on point and the best part was the instructors. They were nice, patient to answer the queries and provided detailed feedback during exercises.
Participant edition spring 2024
Trainers
Lieve Ongena
Senior Science Policy and Grants Manager
Lieve Ongena is an experienced science policy manager with deep knowledge in R&D strategy for the Biotech and Life Sciences sectors. She specializes in guiding researchers through European and international funding landscapes, with a strong track record in EU programs such as MSCA and ERC. Her approach combines strategic advisory with practical training, leveraging real-world examples to enhance research competitiveness and increased success.
Holding a PhD in Molecular Biology (Ghent University, 1989), Lieve advanced her research through European postdoctoral fellowships at Kyoto and Chiba Universities in Japan. She later served as policy advisor and business development manager at Innogenetics (now Fujirebio), one of Flanders’ pioneering biotech spin-offs, before joining VIB as a science policy advisor in 2000. Her career bridges scientific research, policy development, and cross-cultural partnerships, with a unique specialization in Japan–Europe research relations.
Elien Vandermarliere
International Grants Office Manager
Elien Vandermarliere is International Grants Office Manager at VIB, where she leads strategic support for international funding applications under Horizon Europe. She guides scientists at all career stages through highly competitive funding schemes such as ERC and MSCA, combining practical insights with strategic advice to help applicants strengthen the clarity, impact, and competitiveness of their proposals.
Elien holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from KU Leuven (2008), where she specialized in structural biology and protein crystallography. She broadened her expertise during postdoctoral research in bioinformatics and proteomics at Ghent University and VIB, contributing to research projects and mentoring students. Beyond her institutional role, Elien actively contributes to the European research community as a member of the EU-LIFE grants working group and as a reviewer for EU projects. Her unique combination of scientific expertise and funding strategy experience makes her a trusted trainer for researchers aiming to succeed in highly competitive funding landscapes.
Practical info
02 June 2025
Ghent - Clemenspoort
Overwale 3
9000 Ghent
Belgium
02 June 2025
Ghent - Clemenspoort
The Clemenspoort, the Clemenshuis, and the Clemenshof are integrated into a network of other buildings on the grounds of the former Redemptorist monastery, now the Overwale street.
Located just 250 meters from Ghent St. Pieters Station.
02 June 2025
Ghent - Clemenspoort
40 bike parking lots available.
02 June 2025
Ghent - Clemenspoort
Parking facilities available (€ 1.80 per hour). GPS address: Sint-Denijslaan 251. Take the driveway of the HoGent Sports Hall (not the HoGent Campus) and drive all the way to the end - past the HoGent parking areas. If you are registered in the 411 app, activate your license plate under the option 'Garage parking via license plate'. The barrier will open automatically, and payment will be processed via 4411.
02 June 2025
Ghent - Clemenspoort
+32 476 46 10 40
Room Seelos