WORKSHOP
“Research Funding Schemes, Strategies, and Success Criteria”
We bring together leading academic scientists and researchers!
November 16th, 2026 1pm - 5pm
Scope of the event
This workshop focuses on research funding as a central structuring force of the research ecosystem, shaping priorities, behaviours, collaboration patterns, and career trajectories. Funding schemes differ widely in objectives, scope, funding rates, risk tolerance, and expectations regarding impact, yet researchers and institutions often struggle to navigate this landscape strategically.
The workshop examines how different funding instruments support basic versus applied research, individual versus collaborative projects, and academic versus industry-led initiatives. It explores how funding rates, cost models, and administrative requirements influence research design and participation, and how strategic alignment between research goals and funding schemes can significantly improve success rates and outcomes.
Academic speakers will analyse how funding structures shape research agendas and scientific risk-taking, while policy and funding agency representatives will explain the rationale behind different instruments and evaluation criteria. Industry perspectives will address co-funded research, public–private partnerships, and expectations for deliverables and timelines. The workshop also provides guidance on selecting appropriate funding schemes at different career stages and for different types of research ambition.
The objective of the workshop is to equip participants with a strategic understanding of funding landscapes and to clarify success criteria for competitive, responsible, and impactful research funding.
Extended Key Takeaways & Outputs
- Understanding of major research funding schemes and their objectives.
- Ability to match research goals with appropriate funding instruments.
- Understanding funders’ expectations increases proposal success rates.
- Academia–industry partnerships require aligned objectives and expectations.
- A diversified funding portfolio strengthens long-term research sustainability.
Agenda & Speakers
13:00–13:05 — Introduction & Objectives
Organizer
• Why funding design matters for research systems
• Workshop objectives and expected outcomes
13:05–13:35 — Typologies of Research Funding Schemes
Academia: Prof. Paul David (Stanford University)
• Individual vs. collaborative funding models
• Bottom-up vs. mission-oriented programmes
• Risk profiles and support for basic research
13:35–14:05 — Funding Rates, Cost Models, and Institutional Incentives
Academia: Prof. Christine Musselin (Sciences Po)
• Full-cost vs. partial-cost funding
• Effects on institutional strategy and participation
• Administrative burden and efficiency
14:05–14:35 — Choosing the Right Funding Scheme: A Strategic Perspective
Academia: Dr. Benedetto Lepori (USI Lugano)
• Matching research ambition to funding instruments
• Career-stage considerations
• Portfolio approaches to funding
14:35–14:45 — Break
14:45–15:15 — Funding Agency Perspectives on Evaluation and Success Criteria
Policy: Senior Representative, National or International Funding Agency
• Evaluation logic and scoring systems
• Excellence, feasibility, and impact criteria
• Common reasons for proposal failure
15:15–15:45 — Academia–Industry Co-Funding and Public–Private Partnerships
Industry: Head of Research Partnerships, Industrial R&D Organisation
• Expectations in co-funded projects
• IP, timelines, and deliverables
• Aligning academic and industrial incentives
15:45–16:15 — Applied Research, Demonstration Projects, and Scale-Up Funding
Innovation / Policy: Representative, Applied Research or Innovation Agency
• Transition from research to deployment
• Funding instruments for pilots and demonstrators
• Managing technical and financial risk
16:15–16:55 — Panel Discussion & Wrap-Up
All Speakers + Moderator
• Strategic funding choices across the research lifecycle
• Balancing excellence, risk, and impact
• Recommendations for funders and applicants
Concluding remarks
Registration
Deadlines:
Early-Bird: until July 15th, 2026
Registration : until September 5th, 2026
The registration takes place online by filling out the form.
The registration and access to the virtual room for workshop is effective only if the fees payment has been confirmed.
Please note that INVIRTA MEMBERS can purchase all our workshops and services with 10% discount . If you desire to get more information on our membership please press here .
Prices* :
Industry: 150 € (early bird**: 125 €)
Academy: 125 € (early bird**: 100 €)
Students***: 90 € (early bird**: 75 €)
* Note that prices are subject to VAT (for European countries, except Germany, provide the VAT number of your organisation to be within the VAT reverse framework payment).
** Until November 15th, 2020
*** Copy of the registration certificate (Ph.D, undergraduates)
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