Lessons from a successful EU funding recipient

Working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Distinguished Professor Mark G. Stewart at the UTS School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yuan’s research interests lie in cutting edge engineering risk assessment. He applies probabilistic methods to a wide range of infrastructure and engineering systems. 

“Yuan’s world-leading research on risk, vulnerability and resilience assessment of built infrastructure and communities to climate extremes is highly topical not only in Australia, but worldwide as recognised by this highly competitive Fellowship,” said Mark, adding that his success provides further evidence of the global impact of UTS research.

Yuan will use this prestigious Fellowship to collaborate with researchers at Cardiff University in the UK. Their project aims to develop a leading generative design technology to optimise large-scale infrastructure capacity, such as transmission towers, solar farms and wind turbines, against extreme weather and natural hazards.

Yuan’s world-leading research on risk, vulnerability and resilience assessment of built infrastructure and communities to climate extremes is highly topical not only in Australia, but worldwide as recognised by this highly competitive Fellowship.

“By adopting rigorous numerical simulations, laboratory experiments and machine learning-based virtual modelling, our technology is set to be a game changer in how we can prepare for increasingly unstable weather and natural hazards,” said Yuan.

“This Fellowship will help us resolve a critical bottleneck in realising advanced intelligent infrastructures. We’ll also be able to promote the use of advanced climate resilient design applications across a wide range of industry sectors to ensure structural safety and robustness.”

Advancing research knowledge

Yuan said that on a personal level, being awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship will enable him him to make significant contributions to the disciplines of intelligent infrastructure modelling and resilience-based design.

“Through the Fellowship, I’ll be able to not only develop cutting-edge science, but also have the opportunity to build my own research team,” he explained

“I’ll also be able to consolidate collaborations with world-class scientists in the field and directly interact with Australian and UK communities.”

Through the Fellowship, I’ll be able to not only develop cutting-edge science, but also have the opportunity to build my own research team.

Yuan said the Fellowship will provide excellent training opportunities for early career researchers and research students at both UTS and Cardiff University.

“Through working on this international collaboration, they will develop high-level skills and in-depth knowledge in a priority discipline, and this will no doubt lead to more international collaborations between UTS and Europe in future,” Yuan said.

About the Marie Curie Fellowship

The generous Marie Curie Fellowship will provide Yuan financial support for research, training and networking activities. It also includes a living and mobility allowance and funding towards management and indirect costs, such as family, long-term leave and special needs.

Yuan said that applying for EU funding, especially the Marie Curie Fellowship, is a highly competitive but rewarding process. 

“The most significant step is to find an appropriate supervisor and host institution that best aligns with your research aims,” he advised. With highly structured evaluation criteria, EU funding opportunities all follow strict guidelines. 

“Any proposal needs to balance scientific excellence, impact and implementation. It must clearly address how your research outcomes will benefit European economic, social and policy and bring international collaboration to Europe,” Yuan said.

Many successful applicants resubmit with improvements, so do not be disheartened if you are unsuccessful in your first application for EU funding.

With low success rates, Yuan said that rejection for EU funding is common. However, he said that receiving reviewer feedback is invaluable and can help pave the way for future success.

“Many successful applicants resubmit with improvements, so do not be disheartened if you are unsuccessful in your first application for EU funding.”

What’s next?

Connect with the International Grants Team for information about European funding opportunities.