Research modules

As a researcher, driving your research forward as effectively as possible is your key priority.

How can you finance your research? Is your idea specific enough to quality for third-party funding? Has an idea for research been on your mind for a while, but you haven’t found the time to take it any further?

Then this is the course for you! Our outstanding coaches for modules R1 and R2 help you take up the reins of your research idea and steer effectively towards your goal.

FAUnext modules in the area of research

With the right methods you learn the expertise you need to make your idea competitive and make it accessible to the world of research in the right context. You also have the unique opportunity to share experiences directly with successful FAU professors and receive constructive feedback.

You can choose between the two self-contained modules R1 “Presenting competitive third-party projects and using research funding strategically” and R2 “Developing successful networks”.

The coaches will get in touch with you directly before the module starts to pass on details about what will be covered in the modules and to let you know if there are any documents which you should submit beforehand.

Registration
  • Date:
    • Group 1:
    • First online meeting, part 1: December 17, 2025, 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
    • Individual online coaching sessions: January 22, 2026, arranged individually
    • Online review simulation February 24, 2026, arranged individually
  • Places: up to 6
  • Registration period: until October 20, 2025 

The module is aimed at teaching participants of the FAUnext program how to submit competitive proposals for third-party funding. You should have already developed an idea for the project and bring it to the session with you.

Module R1 consists of three consecutive components:

Part 1: Presenting competitive third-party projects

In this first part of the workshop, participants learn about the most important aspects of writing an application and try it out on the basis of their own research idea. A particular focus is laid on presenting the research idea using the storytelling method. The requirements for the various funding providers are taken into consideration. Before the workshop, participants are asked about any requests or suggestions they may have on the topic to allow these to be integrated into the program.

Coach

With their many years’ experience in business, academia and administration, the team from Weisblum motivates organizations to take a fresh approach in order to be able to react more flexibly to changing requirements now and in the future. Berit Edlich has many years’ experience as a coach covering every aspect of research funding. In particular, her work focuses on supporting researchers who work in collaboration with others in interdisciplinary contexts. She has a wealth of knowledge in the areas of funding advice, creativity techniques and team development, gathered at various universities and research institutions.

Part 2: Individual online consultations

The individual consultations have the aim of checking how well suited the proposals are for the considered funding providers/programs, based on an analysis of the researchers’ CVs and an outline of the proposal. A further goal is to assess the significance of the prospective funding for the continued development of the researcher’s individual research career and possibly to develop a funding strategy based on that.

In order to be able to prepare effectively, participants are required to submit their Cvs and an outline of at least one page in length. All documents will be treated confidentially pursuant to the valid data protection provisions.

The individual consultations last approximately 60 minutes.

Part 3: Online review simulation

In the online review simulation, participants receive feedback on their outlines from a subject-related perspective from established researchers at FAU and from an interdisciplinary review perspective from the coach, Dr. Beate Scholz. Each simulation lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Coach

Dr. Beate Scholz is the managing director of Scholz CTC GmbH (www.scholz-ctc.com). She works internationally as a strategy advisor, trainer, coach, expert and reviewer in universities, research institutions and academic organizations. She also works as a researcher. She works for international institutions such as the EU Commission or the OECD as well as for numerous universities, research institutions and ministries, internationally (including in Europe, the USA, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia) and in Germany.

Beate Scholz is regularly invited to participate as an expert in committees and as a reviewer in selection committees.

In this module, you also benefit from the expertise and experience of successful FAU professors.

Registration
  • Date: tba, 9 am to 5 pm
  • Location: in person
  • Places: 10
  • Registration period: tba

Networks are based on relationships and trust. During this two-day seminar you learn how to establish and nurture networks, how networks can be kept alive in the long term, and what that has to do with your own personal abilities. The seminar will look at both traditional networks of personal contacts and today’s social networks on social media and the different approaches required for each. Participants will also benefit from best practice examples presented by experienced scientists.

Module contents

  • Acquiring and polishing skills for increasing the visibility of yourself as a person, your skills and your projects.
  • Raising awareness of effective self-marketing and communication.
  • Learning how to generate long-lasting interest by coming across as an authentic personality.
  • Understanding the relevance of the person you are talking to for your next project.
  • Do’s and dont’s for establishing (research) networks.
  • Drawing up your own individual network analysis.
  • Defining your personal network strategy.
Coach

A dedicated networker and sales expert Listening, asking questions. Connecting people, ideas and companies. Learning new skills. With more than 20 years’ expertise, Anja Merl helps her customers and course participants establish and develop their own networks. She is involved in the Bavarian association for SMEs known as the BVWM and is a managing director of die.netzwerk.akademie, where her skills in people management are a valuable asset.

In this module, you also benefit from the expertise and experience of successful FAU professors.