How to write a good STREP project, Scientific and Technological objectives of the project and state-of-the-art 23/05/2005, Poznan, Poland Prof. Dr. ir. Bert LAUWERS Department of Mechanical Engineering, Division PMA K.U.Leuven, Leuven (Belgium) How to write a STREP project ? Last NMP call for proposal in the FP6

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 2/14 K.U.Leuven Located in Leuven (25 km from Brussels) ~ students Mission –Education –Research –Service to industry Faculty of Engineering –~ 3000 students

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 3/14 Mechanical Engineering Department

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 4/14 Some background Reseach & eduction –Manufacturing processes (EDM, multi-axis machining,.) –CAD/CAM EU-projects –Several EU-projects –Coordinator of OPTIMACH (FP4) EDM2005 (FP5) MONCERAT (FP6) –Involved in several evaluations Craft, FP5,…

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 5/14 Example FP6 STREP project - MONCERAT Title –Broadening the application field of ceramic components by joint and interactive research on EDM machining technology, novel ceramic materials based on nano-powders made by SHS and design methodology 11 partners (BE, DE, FR, NL, CH) Budget:  4 milj. Euro Setting up this STREP project –Similar to FP5 (size of project,..) –Different attitude: from a solving approach to a more research (gaining knowledge,…) approach ! –There are other programs for projects with a “problem solving approach” (e.g IP-SME, Collective Research for SME’s,…)

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 6/14 A STREP project (cordis) A STREP project aims at: –European competitiveness* or; –Meeting the needs of society or Community policies They can take the following forms: –An RTD project designed to gain knowledge* or improve existing products, processes or services. –A demonstration project designed to prove the viability of new technologies but which cannot be commercialized directly. *words used in the MONCERAT proposal

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 7/14 Some things you have to know ! STREP –Results can lead in a later phase to other kind of projects (IP  which is on a larger scale) –Gaining knowledge (not problem solving !) –But having partners that can exploit this knowledge is also important, otherwise, you fail ! The proposal should be well written !!! –One compiler who knows everything (not only rules, but also the scientific and technical content) –As a writer  do not act as an “automatic proposal writer” ! The proposal should be pre-competitive and should include a risk ! Try to understand the EU-guidelines !

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 8/14 Some things you have to know ! As an evaluator: –You have to evaluate a proposal in about 2 to 2.5 hours –Therefore: Make clear statements Put important statements in bold (not to much !) –They are experts, but do not know everything ! So  explain the things very well !! Explain a process which is not well known (e.g. EDM) –As an evaluator, you do not check the number of pages A proposal has to reach high scores on all topics !

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 9/14 S&T objectives & state-of-the-art Scientific and technological objectives of the project and state of the art (max 3 pages) –Describe in detail the proposed project’s S&T objectives in a quantified and measurable form. Describe the originality of the proposed work and justify the long-term innovation claimed. The progress of the project work will be measured against these goals in later reviews and assessments. Describe the state-of-the-art in the area concerned, technical limitations and how the proposed project will enhance the state-of-the-art in that area.

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 10/14 S&T objectives & state-of-the-art State-of-the-art –  1.5 page (brief, but clear) –Research state-of-the-art (  direct problem solving) –International –On all aspects of the proposal –Mention important references –

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 11/14 S&T objectives & state-of-the-art S&T objectives –S&T-objectives claimed should be quantifiable and measurable –Objectives should be realistic ! –Often people put statements like “the project will decrease the production time by at least 50%”  but you have to explain in your work plan how to that ! –Stress on gaining knowledge (at least that was for my project

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 12/14 S&T objectives & state-of-the-art Some extracts out of the MONCERAT proposal –“The MONCERAT project aims the research in the development of ceramic materials that can optimally be machined by EDM. The uniqueness of this project is to work on the development of the material as well as on the development of the EDM machining process” –……. –“How the microstructure of the ceramic material influences the EDM process (and vice versa) has to be studied in detail within the MONCERAT project”

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 13/14 S&T objectives & state-of-the-art Make a clear distinction between Scientific and Technological objectives Scientific –Knowledge important for long term innovation –Understanding.. –Extract: “To have a better understanding on the EDM removal mechanism active in the machining of ceramic material. It is aimed to find relation ships between the removal mechanism and the microstructure of the ceramic material. This knowledge is essential for the development of “ideal” ceramic materials and the development of a proper EDM technology”

How to write a STREP project Objectives & state-of-the-art 14/14 S&T objectives & state-of-the-art Technological –More direct results of the project (but realistic) E.g. The development of a new material A new or modified process –Extract “Development of novel ceramic materials that meet the end- users requirements of strength, toughness,… and which can be machined by EDM” Seemly important statements like “reduction of time by 50%” were never used in the MONCERAT project proposal