Seminar Overview
The first session will focus on the evaluation of MSCA and COST proposals - providing insight into how project applications are assessed from the evaluator’s perspective, how evaluation criteria are applied in practice, and what distinguishes a good proposal from an outstanding one.
The second session will address COST Actions - their role in international networking, the development of research ideas, and partnership building, as well as practical steps for joining existing Actions. Special emphasis will be placed on how COST can serve as a platform for developing future Horizon projects and strengthening the international position of research teams.
The seminar is intended for researchers and doctoral candidates who are currently preparing or planning to prepare project proposals, who wish to understand how the evaluation process works “on the other side of the table,” and for those interested in becoming actively involved in COST Actions and international research networks.
For researchers working on project proposals, there are few opportunities to directly learn:
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how evaluators read and assess a proposal,
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what “Excellence,” “Impact,” and “Implementation” truly mean in practice,
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what the most common weaknesses of proposals are,
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what makes the difference between a good and an excellent proposal,
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how final scores are formed and how panel discussions unfold.
Understanding the evaluator’s perspective enables strategic proposal writing - clear, focused, and aligned with what is genuinely valued in the evaluation process.
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Mirjana Pešić
Full Professor, Institute of Food Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade
Prof. Pešić has extensive experience in national and international projects and knowledge transfer to industry. She is the author or co-author of more than 340 scientific publications, one patent, and several technical solutions (h-index 30, Scopus; over 2400 citations excluding self-citations).
She has served as an evaluator for project proposals under the Horizon MSCA programme (Chemistry panel).
At the seminar, she will discuss the evaluation of MSCA Staff Exchange projects and how evaluators approach proposal assessment.
Dr. Milena Čavić
Principal Research Fellow, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia; President of the Managing Board of SDIR
Dr. Čavić conducts research in experimental oncology, focusing on mechanisms of response and resistance to anticancer therapy and the improvement of screening programmes. She is the (co)author of more than 60 scientific publications and has substantial experience in Horizon projects.
She has served as an evaluator for MSCA Individual Fellowships (Life Sciences panel) and COST Actions. She is the coordinator of the Horizon Europe Twinning project STEPUPIORS (101079217) at the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia.
She will speak about the evaluation of MSCA IF and COST projects, score alignment processes, and key elements that distinguish highly ranked proposals.
Dr. Nataša Božić
Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade
Dr. Božić works in industrial biotechnology, focusing on enzyme system development and biomass valorisation. She is the author of more than 40 papers in international journals and coordinator of several international projects.
She previously participated in COST Action CM1303 and currently coordinates activities within COST Action COZYME. She also leads activities on behalf of her institution within the Horizon MSCA Staff Exchange project NET4FLOW.
At the seminar, she will present practical guidance on joining existing COST Actions, taking a more active role in their activities, and using COST networks as a springboard for future Horizon projects.
Agenda
12:00 - Welcome address by the project coordinator, Prof. Vladimir Beškoski
12:10-12:30 - Evaluation of MSCA Staff Exchange projects - Prof. Mirjana Pešić
12:30-12:50 - Discussion
12:50-13:20 - Evaluation of MSCA IF and COST projects - Dr. Milena Čavić
13:20-13:40 - Discussion
13:40-14:10 - COST Actions: relevance, management, and joining existing Actions - Dr. Nataša Božić
14:10-14:30 - Discussion
14:30-15:00 - Coffee and informal networking
This seminar represents the final capacity-building activity of the PFAStwin project, aimed at strengthening project-writing skills among researchers and doctoral candidates and fostering a sustainable project culture at the Faculty.