The document outlines a guide for researchers in the game science field on how to prepare successful proposals, including defining roles and responsibilities, refining concepts, and allocating resources. It emphasizes the importance of networking, understanding the relation to the call, and iteratively developing project work packages. Additional tips provided include committing to the project, leveraging existing relationships, and preparing drafts early in the proposal process.

1. Sylvester Arnab
Professor in Game Science
Disruptive Media Learning Lab,
Coventry University
s.arnab@coventry.ac.uk
@sarnab75 @disrupt_learn
Live,breatheand
BID!

6. Existing
work/
inspirations
Timeliness/
Relevance
Relationships
DRIVERS
Research
Practice
Applied
Innovation
Developm
ent

7. Leading/Coordinating
Take control and be flexible within
reasons

8. Concept
Understand call
Understand SoTA
Existing reports,
strategy
Flesh out ideas
Consult core
partner(s)
Run through idea &
Refine
Build abstract - clear
Draft work packages
(WPs) and tasks
structure
Build consortium, ECAS and Costing
Identify required
skills/missing expertise
Refine concept and WPs
Allocate leadership and
roles
Partner to review
(google
doc/spreadsheet)
Partners description –
Section 4
Open ECAS portal
Build Excellence, Implementation, Impact
section
Take control of the
scope
Be concise and clear
Tangibility
Partners to fill in the
gaps
WP leads to build WPs
Iterative
refinement/incremental
Delegate Dissemination
and exploitation to WP
lead
Map responses to
expected impact
Complete ECAS
Part A
Part B
Submit draft early

9. Partnering
Relevance and relationship

10. Review invitation and Concept
Concept vs call
Relevance
Capacity
Personal discussion with
coordinator
Review
consortium
Review partners
How do I fit?
Contribute to specific sections, review WP and tasks, organisation
info
Contribute
Indicate leadership/roles
Review man months
Propose man months
Costing with RO
Organisation info
Review proposal, man months and costing
Contribute
Finalise man months ,
costing
Work with your RO
officer
Review ECAS
Complete part A
Review costing
YES / NO ?

11. Existing work/
inspirations
Timeliness/
Relevance
Relationships
Official
Development
Assistance
(ODA)

12. Tips
• Question
 Can I see myself committing to this project?
 Is it in line with my development and research progression?
• Man-months and costing
 Existing researchers, RA to recruit? PhD? (fulltime?)
 RO to help – average rate calculation
• Invest time
 Do not procrastinate
 Get a rough draft/skeleton ready quickly
 Know your partners
 Know your field
 Know your role in the project
 Refer to other successful proposals

13. Tips
• Network
 Info Days
 Social media – Linked In, etc.
 6-degree of separation
• Not successful – past the threshold? Then it’s “not right
now”… maybe
 Reusable for other calls in the future
 Improve based on the reviewers’ feedback

14. dmll.org.uk
ThankYou!
@disrupt_learn @sarnab75
s.arnab@coventry.ac.uk
Blog: https://sylvesterarnab.com/