SAIL Programme

"The input from, the contact with and the presence of so many representatives of the university's central units in the area of funding programmes and international affairs opened a 'mental door' for participants - to the wide range of funding opportunities, the university's broad range of advice and support services, as well as the strategic approach and consideration when selecting a funding programme and writing an application."

Research is becoming increasingly international. International contacts, networks and visibility are relevant criteria in the academic world. Numerous funding organisations not only specifically fund international research, but also increasingly expect international academic profiles from their funding recipients. Over three half days, the SAIL programme teaches early career researchers (ECRs) how they can strategically build and expand this profile.

Short impulses will give you an overview of various options and in the workshops you have the chance to develop strategies for internationalising your academic profile. Moreover, the SAIL Programme offers the opportunity to network across disciplines and talk to internationally experienced researchers and experts from different areas of the university. Best practices and concrete career paths offer realistic insights into experiences with third-party funding in (international) research.

The programme will be complemented by an overview of the wide range of services and advice available in the field of internationalisation at the University of Münster.

Cooperation partners of the programme designed and coordinated by SAFIR in the last run were the Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers, the International Office, the Centre for Europe and the Center of Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research.

Overview

Target group: Doctoral candidates in the final phase of their doctorate and postdocs up to three years after their doctorate

Location: on-site, the room will be communicated after registration

Time: three dates, each 9 a.m. s.t. to 2:15 p.m., presumably winter semester 2025/2026

Event language: German or English possible

Registration: via Indico

Dates and registration

We recommend attending all three dates, as they build on each other. However, it is still possible to participate on individual days.

The number of participants is limited due to the workshop nature of the series. Please also use the waiting list.

Previous programme

• 9 October 2024: First steps – Opportunities to Work Internationally in Research

  Workshop: Orientation and profile‑strengthening in the postdoc phase
  Speaker: Rebecca Meier, Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes)

  In this workshop, you will take the first steps towards sustainable planning for your professional future: you will review various career paths, analyse your academic portfolio, and identify areas for development during your postdoc phase.

  
  Impulse: Project “Internationalisation” – Where on earth do I start?
  Speaker: Sonja Zeggel, International Office and Claudia Ehlert, SAFIR Research Funding Support

  Internationalisation can take on various forms. SAFIR and the International Office – Dept. Researchers & Staff will show you a few first, simple options for developing your international profile and paving the way for future plans. Learn about a valuable range of education, advice and grants available at the University of Münster as well as a selection of external funding agencies. Your journey can begin today!

  
  Workshop: Strategic Networking? Authentic communication!
  Speaker: Dr. Anneka Esch-van Kan, Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes)

  Strong professional and personal networks at home and abroad can be crucial to success in academia and other sectors. In this workshop, you will reflect on your personal environment and develop ideas on how you can strategically and sustainably build international networks that will advance your career.

  
  Exchange with Testimonial
  Host: Claudia Ehlert, SAFIR Research Funding Support

• 30 October 2024: Developing your Academic Career with Third-party Funding for International Projects

  Impulse: Funding opportunities, networking and development prospects in the European context
  Speaker: Nicola Willenberg, Centre for Europe

  The Centre for Europe gives an insight into European funding formats that offer early career researchers interesting opportunities to work internationally. Special support for early career researchers is provided by the EU Mentoring Network: It offers structured guidance to outstanding R2 and R3 researchers to assist in the preparation of European Research Council (ERC) grants.

  
  Impulse: Funding opportunities for the early postdoc phase – networking, cooperating, being mobile with third-party funding
  Speaker: Eva Jirka, SAFIR Research Funding Support

  Whether a longer research stay abroad, a cooperation project with research partners worldwide or the individual expansion of international contacts: Get to know the research funding system and financial funding opportunities to expand your research and your research profile internationally.

  
  Workshop: Strategic acquisition of third-party funding for postdocs
  Speaker: Dr. Christine Schmidt, SAFIR Research Funding Support

  Use the targeted acquisition of third-party funding for international projects to plan and develop your academic career. In this workshop you will develop your own third-party funding strategy.

  
  Exchange with Testimonial
  Host: Claudia Ehlert, SAFIR Research Funding Support

• 27 November 2024: Applying for International Collaborative Projects – Opportunities and Tips

  Impulse: ERASMUS+ programme & Ulysseus European University Network
  Speaker: Sandra Wiegand & Dennis Binder, International Office & Dr. Tobias Gumbert, Center of Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research

  The Erasmus+ programme offers early career researchers interesting opportunities to work internationally. The International Offices provides an overview of suitable funding formats.
  With inclusive governance and a strong shared vision, Ulysseus designs activities and programmes in research, education and innovation that involve the public from the outset. The development goals include the internationalisation of university structures, the strengthening of European values and regional development, and the promotion of seamless mobility.

  
  Workshop: Insights into the planning and implementation of cooperation projects as well as basic knowledge for a successful application
  Speaker: Dr. Christine Schmidt, SAFIR Research Funding Support

  You will receive specific tips and strategies for acquiring international collaborative projects. In addition to the different types of cooperation projects, the workshop also provides basic application knowledge.

  
  Exchange with Testimonial
  Host: Claudia Ehlert, SAFIR Research Funding Support

Learnings of all three days

After attending the SAIL programme ...

• you will have developed an awareness of why internationalisation and corresponding support are important for your academic career,
• you have determined your current position,
• you will have met academics from different disciplines who can serve as role models for your future career planning,
• you will have gained an overview of internationalisation and corresponding mobility opportunities for early career researchers,
• you can make an informed decision which measures and corresponding funding programmes suit you individually,
• you will have developed a reflective individual internationalisation strategy for the next three years of your career (with or without mobility),
• you can plan the next steps for your own career in an informed way,
• you know at least five contact persons at the University of Münster who can help you with questions relating to your research career and further education,
• you have exchanged ideas and networked across disciplines with other researchers who are at a similar point in their academic career.

Recommendations from participants

"I would recommend it to all doctoral students and early career postdocs who are interested in a long-term academic career.

"I would recommend it to all doctoral candidates who want to stay in research - it gives you a good overview and you can learn about opportunities for your own journey towards internationalisation."

"The long application deadlines make it necessary to deal with the topic of acquiring third-party funding as early as possible, and the SAIL programme supports participants with questions such as: 'Where do I want to develop?" and "Once I know that, where can I get the support I need to achieve this goal?"

"All doctoral candidates and postdocs who are thinking about their future academic career, including internationality."

[Excerpt from the anonymous evaluation of the 1st round, translated by the organisers]

More Internationalisation

You want to further shape your international research profile? The SAIL Mobility Fund enables Early Career Researchers to undertake research stays or actively participate in conferences and summer schools abroad with the help of travel grants.