IAC scientists publish in Nature Astronomy a practical guide to improve proposals and applications

IAC scientists publish in Nature Astronomy a practical guide to improve proposals and applications
IAC scientists publish in Nature Astronomy a practical guide to improve proposals and applications
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A newly published Perspective article in Nature Astronomy, titled “How to prepare competitive proposals and job applications”, offers concrete and experience-based guidance to help scientists improve one of the most crucial skills in academia: writing successful proposals and job applications.

This is the third article in a series focused on training writing skills for professional astronomers, led by Prof. Johan H. Knapen, researcher at Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and Principal Investigator of the EU-funded EDUCADO and ExGal-Twin projects, together with co-authors Henri M. J. Boffin, Nushkia Chamba, and Natashya Chamba from Germany, the USA and Sri Lanka.

This contribution functions as a practical guide. It explores how not only the strength of a scientific idea but also how a proposal is framed, structured, and communicated can significantly impact the outcome of competitive processes. The authors offer advice on identifying the right calls for proposals and job postings, writing compelling cover letters, crafting effective CVs, choosing references, and learning from feedback.

The article also reflects on the cautious and critical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT or DeepL, which may assist in structuring or editing documents — while warning of over-reliance, loss of personal tone, and inappropriate use in confidential processes.

This guide is especially valuable for junior researchers, but its insights will resonate with experienced applicants, reviewers, and funding agencies alike.

Reference:
How to prepare competitive proposals and job applications

Johan H. Knapen, Henri M. J. Boffin, Nushkia Chamba & Natashya Chamba Nature Astronomy, 2025

https://rdcu.be/evDCt

Related Projects:

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ExGal-Twin logo
ExGal-Twin: Excellence in Galaxies - Twinning the IAC
This Twinning action aims to strengthen the research and networking capacity, profile and impact of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) in the area of galaxies through the development of strategic alliances of this regionally leading institute in an Outermost Region of the EU (OR), with three excellent European partners. An initial SWOT
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Attendees at the 2025 ExGal-Twin Regional Workshop on European Project Management held at the IACTEC headquarters in Tenerife
Press release
The IAC promotes European Project Management with the ExGal-Twin 2025 workshop
The Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) is promoting knowledge about European project management with a dedicated forum taking place on April 23 and 24 at the IACTEC headquarters in Tenerife. The 2025 ExGal-Twin Regional Workshop on European Project Management is an event organized by the ExGal-Twin project and the Office of Transfer and Institutional Actions (OTAI) of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), under the title "Innovation in European Project Management: Challenges and Opportunities" . The main objective of this workshop is to bring together R&D&I entities
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News type
Press release
Scope
Outreach
Astrophysics
General public
Communications media
Scientists
Formation & Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG)
EDUCADO
Funded by European Union

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