Translated by UiO:GPT
"We were a group of 30 on a study trip from FANE-SV, including the Dean of Research and project economists," says Marit Eldholm, Head of Research and Communication at the faculty.
Met "Partners" in the EU
"The ERC Executive Agency had tailored a program for us, which was both useful and inspiring. Many had the opportunity to meet those working on their EU projects at the European Commission and greatly appreciated it. Such meetings make following up on projects easier," she continues.
The research administrative network (FANE) consists of research advisors at institutes and centers, as well as research advisors and project economists at the SV faculty.
After visiting the ERCEA, the administrative agency that manages ERC projects, they visited the Norwegian House.
"I especially want to highlight a presentation where the European Commission explained how AI tools are used in application evaluation in Horizon Europe. Here, we learned more about their requirements and expectations for applicants, both regarding the use of large language models in application drafting and how AI is utilized in the research itself.".
The head of the section acknowledges that the use of artificial intelligence in both research and application processes is a complex field in rapid change, where the research support team strives to understand the opportunities and limitations and needs to share experiences and develop good routines.
Strategic Trip
The aim of the study trip to Brussels, according to Eldholm, was to provide a collective skills boost for the research support team at the institutes, centers, the faculty's research administration, and the project economists.
"EU's research programs have been important for us for a long time," she points out, mentioning that many of the faculty's researchers, together with the research support team, have worked purposefully towards the EU for years.
"We have experienced growth in externally funded revenues, and our faculty is strong in ERC. This might give us a slight advantage now that the funding for the entire sector is under pressure. With changing framework conditions, external revenues become even more crucial," she emphasizes.
An updated and solid research support team results in better applications and project management, which will strengthen the faculty overall.
Colleagues from UiO's Division of Research and Innovation Administration, the Center for Development and the Environment, and UiO: Energy and Environment were also invited on the study trip.
Eldholm reports having received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the trip, both academically and socially. She extends a big thank you to the travel group that organized both the program and logistics: Maria Vinje Dodson (PSI), Ingrid Helene Johnsen (TIK), Christian Lehne (ISV), Magnus Garder Evensen and Stina Petersen from the research section, and Ole Magnus ?rsnes and Thor Leif H?rseth from the economics section of the faculty.
