External funding is of major importance to the Department of Biology, and in general we are very successful in attracting this vital support for our work. Nevertheless, the competition is rising and it is urgent that our applications continue to be of an excellent standard.

The internal review process at the Department aims to support and strengthen researchers' proposals to the highest possible level.

Calls included in the process

We organize review-processes of applications to:

• DFF Research Project 1 + Research Project 2
• Villum Experiment
• Carlsberg Semper Ardens program (Accomplish, Accelerate, Advance)
• Career grants at Assistant Prof. level (ERC Starting grant, Villum Young Investigator, Sapere Aude)

This is done by:

1. Pitch sessions

By starting out with a pitch session very early in the process we want to kick-start the structuring of ideas and the exchange of initial feedback. All applicants and a panel of 2-3 experienced VIP participate in the pitch. During pitch sessions, it is the responsibility of both applicants and panelists to contribute with qualified feedback.

The department invites for three pitch sessions every year, combining pitches for different calls in one session.

2. Internal review

At the Department of Biology we urge every researcher to exchange ideas and drafts on a continuous basis outside the formalized review proces.

However, when applying for the abovementioned calls, every applicant is matched with an experienced researcher by the Research and Business Committee.

On a set date before the deadline, the applicant sends a draft for internal review.

Within a week the reviewer gives appropriate feedback on the proposal.