1. START NOW! 12 weeks left till deadline (16 August 2012)
Contact with lead scientist and host institution – working relationship
Marie Curie application is LONG – up to 25 pages
Guides, rules and regulations handbook also long
Developing ideas, communicating impact, clarity, brevity

2. Start writing/sketching out your project proposal as soon as possible
Scientific and Technological Quality
Training
Researcher
Implementation
Impact

3. Criterion 1: Scientific & Technological Quality (S&T)
Strengths
Research project well structured , clearly stated research objectives. Provides new information to research community.
Provides relevant and clear description of the state of the art; justifies project - unanswered research questions.
Itemises material needed in order to meet the main project objective. Detail - archaeological sites, lab techniques.
Interdisciplinarity – organic geochemistry and more traditional archaeological techniques.
Host lab and supervisors are recognised world leaders in the field.
Project well-embedded in ongoing European projects, strengthens European collaboration.
Weaknesses
Step-by-step details of some of the techniques are missing.
Questions of sample contamination receive minimal attention.

4. Criterion 2: Training Strengths Weaknesses
Training objectives clearly stated.
Training in new technique for the applicant, can only be learned in a few places.
Relevance and quality of additional scientific training and complementary skills are high.
Personal career plan developed by the researcher and the leading scientist.
Complementary skills - project management, presentation skills - will be developed.
Host expertise in training, mentoring & tutoring (number of scholars/students already hosted).
Weaknesses
No training in advanced use of digital resources/IT for extended analysis of results.

5. Criterion 3: Researcher
Strengths
Publications include books , articles in peer-reviewed international, interdisciplinary & subject-specific
journals.
Displays evidence of independent thinking and leadership.
Proposed research well-matched with applicant's scientific background.
New knowledge acquired and techniques learned will contribute greatly to professional maturity.
Weaknesses
CV not always clear on the nature of funding received and work undertaken.
Coverage in CV of the period is vague.

6. Criterion 4: Implementation
Strengths
Facilities available at the Host are state of the art.
Host engaged in international collaborations, experienced in welcoming and training foreign researchers.
Reputation of the supervisor ensures feasibility of the project.
Detailed work plan and schedule for monitoring progress is presented.
Results of a pilot study have demonstrated feasibility and credibility .
Weaknesses
Sufficient time for the dissemination of the results is not planned.
No detail of how practical arrangements for monitoring progress of fellow’s research will be
controlled and evaluated by Host.

7. Everybody likes a Gantt chart...3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Securing Licences to Export/Alter
Liaison with museums, universities and archaeological companies
Processing of sherds from N.I. Neolithic sites
Processing sherds from southern Irish sites
Scrutiny and interpretation of mass spectral and isotopic data
Dissemination of initial results
Selection and prep of sherds for radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating of residues
Analysis and dissemination of final results
Continuing activity
Major activity

8. Criterion 5: Impact Strengths Weaknesses
Project will help place Irish material within wider European context.
Results of analysis a subject of interest to both specialists and the general public throughout the ERA.
Project strengthens European leadership in the field of analysis.
Project increases European excellence and competitiveness in archaeological research.
Research collaboration between Ireland, the UK and countries of the ERA will be strengthened.
Skills the fellow will take back to Ireland after fellowship - significant contribution to applicant’s career
Weaknesses
Relevance of research to local, regional, national and international cultural heritage issues?