Academic Launchpad ALP

Does any of this sound like you?

You know you should get some funding but you can never find the time while researching, writing papers, and supporting others... the right moment never seems to come.
You never had the need to get your own funding. You know it's important, but everything seems important!
You may have applied for some grants, but you never felt you had an innovative idea or enough experience, so you never tried the big calls.
You're tired of spending countless hours writing grant proposals that never seem to get approved. You know you're missing something but just don't know what!

If reading any of this made you think "how does she know?!", keep reading. You're not alone, and I have something for you!

You're a postdoc or have your own group...

Writing keeps being the most important task of your job. Only now the type of writing has changed. You know that at this stage of your career, writing grant proposals and review papers is a must.

But you cannot find the time to write among all the other responsibilities. You feel constantly juggling. The experiments. Teaching. Supervision... The messy middle.

You don't want to write in the weekend and evenings. Especially, when there is no guarantee that will be funded...

To write a project like an ERC you need someone next to you who knows how to tell the story in a convincing way. Being an excellent scientist is not enough. I had the idea, but Ana’s help was invaluable in showcasing that idea. And at a personal level, the weekly coaching makes all the difference...from the moments of “I cannot continue”, to the moments of “Ana, I just had this crazy idea in my sleep”. If you still have doubts, ask her to show you any paragraph of my before and after 😂

Dr. Ainhoa Martinez-Medina

Group leader at IRNASA-CSIC (Spain)

Project: ERC consolidator

I participated in the first edition of the Academic Launchpad to write a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship. I found the course content very useful and the co-working sessions great. But for me, the best part was counting on Ana’s support (and Judy’s), always so positive and kind, always with encouraging words. As a result of her feedback, I was able to improve and polish my CV and proposal, as well as (perhaps more importantly) quiet my imposter syndrome.

Dr. Iria Sala

Postdoc Researcher at CSIC, Gijon.

Project: Marie Curie

My main struggle was that even though I had good ideas, I did not really know how to get started. I was especially concerned about the rigor required for the ERC advanced grant. In this program I’ve learned how to break up this large project into smaller parts that suddenly became manageable. It seems obvious, but I think I needed someone to show me the way all through the creative process. My main hesitations were that the team has a background in biology, whereas my field is astrophysics. I am also more senior than most academics they are assisting, and I was worried that their advice would be too trivial. But it was all very valuable, and the difference in field did not matter too much. In the end everything came together very nicely, and despite some personal hardship, I have submitted a grant application that I am proud of, and that actually landed me an interview spot!

Dr. Ciska Kemper
ICREA Research Professor
Project: ERC Advanced Grant

Before starting the Academic Launchpad I struggled to make time for grant writing. I didn't plan it well enough and didn't prioritize it over teaching or other writing. Now my writing process is more structured, and has gained a lot of depth and clarity. I'm aiming to apply for other grants next year, and I know where to start now! I needed someone or something to kick me into action and really go for it with grant writing, instead of just thinking about it. It offered the freedom and flexibility of a video bank where I could dip into as and when required, combined with group meetings to keep me on track. I first hesitated about the difference between natural sciences and Humanities, which was there, but not as much of an issue as I feared. I would definitely recommend to give this a go!

Dr. Anouk Vermeulen

Teaching Fellow Ancient History & Archaeology, Utrecht University

Project: Marie Curie

I designed The Academic Launchpad to help academics set a foundation of success. We´ll help you write one grant. But this program's magic is beyond a single proposal. This is about giving you the skills, strategies, techniques and support to reorder the current trajectory of your academic career.
Because if things stay like they´re now, you probably struggle to reach your vision and those beautiful, longer-term goals you have. And I don’t want that for you. Especially when I know there is another way.

Month 1- This is a month to define your winning idea. It's a month to read and write the latest literature. To sketch an initial idea for your ERC. To meet with colleagues you respect and share those ideas, and gather feedback. I'd like you to start writing your B1 before the month finishes. NOTE: for the 2026 January call, this is spread along June, July & August...because here we're fans of everyone taking summer holidays 🏖️

Month 2- This is a month to write. You'll finish a first version of the B1. And if you have feedback included on your package, our editor will revise some text for you. We encourage you to send this B1 to a few trusted colleagues. This month, you'll start writing your B2. The struggle at this point is usually real! But we hold you accountable to keep moving forward.

Month 3- This is a month to finish the B1 and B2 and send them all for feedback. You'll be so proud at this moment! And at the same time, it will be scary sharing all your hard work to be criticised 🥰 We're here for that!

Month 4- The last month, and the moment to incorporate all the feedback and last details. Finish up with some nice figures. Be sure that the B1 and B2 are telling the same story (because things change during the process). And a month to squeeze rest whenever you can, because the stress will be high! (no sugar coating this). NOTE: for the 2026 January call, this month is spread along November-December ...because here we're fans of everyone taking Christmas holidays 🎄

And after?
Usually, the submission happens a few weeks after we finish, and we just keep in touch, cheering for you!

Some clients decide to continue working with us in one of our other programs, either to write their next proposal or the papers that were paused because of this ERC ;)

Then, after a few months, you'll hear if you pass to the interview phase. If you'd like our support to prepare and practice, we sometimes have space for that too!

You'll have LIFETIME ACCESS access to our online platform where you can watch at your own pace the video lessons. These lessons are structured around 4 topics with several short video lessons of 10-20 min for easy watching. Each lesson includes points for you to take action: writing parts of your proposal, arranging work with collaborators, planning your time, or reflecting on the workbook. You'll also have access to extra resources, like examples of submitted proposals and evaluators' comments.

Here are some of the lessons inside each topic:

This is a UNIQUE curriculum that comes from merging:

⚡️ 15-year experience in research. Reviewing proposals, getting money from competitive calls (including a Marie Curie grant), and also writing and not getting it

⚡️ coaching experience of helping hundreds of scientists to focus and write. Mostly experimental papers, but also project proposals. From national funding such as the Dutch Vici program or UKRI funding to Marie Curie and ERC grants.

⚡️ 4-year business experience having to master skills in copywriting, storytelling, marketing and sales that I use daily in “I focus and write”. This will radically change how you write that proposal, where knowing how to sell yourself and your ideas is crucial

Plus, currently (not sure for how long!) once you join the Academic Launchpad, you get lifetime access to all of the program materials – which means you can revise the materials to write your next project.

During the 4 months of the program, we'll have a 1-hour group call via Zoom from 14.30-15.30 (Amsterdam time) where we'll do a specific workshop to help you implement key aspects of the program, answer any questions you have, and meet the other participants. These are the topics we'll cover:

1) Project management, where I'll give feedback about the struggles each participant has, and plan together the tasks, deadlines and people involved in writing this project.

2) Personal branding and social media plan, to develop your marketing plan so you can let the world know about your ideas and maximise the opportunities.

3) Common mistakes and design elements of your proposal, where we'll be doing live editing of some of the participants' material.

4) Goal-setting workshop and moving forward, so you will finish the program by having clear goals and the steps to get there.

The main component is 2-hour sessions where we meet via Zoom in a group setting, and in silence, we work. There is a daily session (below you have a schedule), facilitated by me or one of our editors. And two non-facilitated.

We offer several sessions to offer several opportunities for you to join, but the most common is to join 2 per week (like the gym, don't think about all the classes you cannot attend, look at the ones you can go to!).

I'll facilitate one co-working session each week. At the end of the session, we have a group Q&A session for ca. 20 min.

We'll also have 1 mentoring group call each month where we discuss the topics you raise. If you cannot attend this call, you can send me your questions in advance and you can watch later the replay video.

Last but not least, we'll also have a private Slack channel with all the students where you can share thoughts, ideas, or ask any question!

The courses of "I focus and write" keep bringing together a really nice community of scientists. From PhD candidates to Assistant Professors. And you'll be part of that community where you will not feel alone anymore in your struggles!

One of the characteristics of our programs is the PRIVATE SUPPORT you can get if you need it. We ONLY HAVE A FEW SPOTS available if you want the MEDIUM or VIP packages. This support happens in different ways:

1) 1-on1 private coaching with Ana.

These calls are to help you clarify your idea, define your strategy and discuss your progress on the proposal.

2) Feedback on your writing

If you'd like a full revision of your proposal, we have two packages (MEDIUM and VIP, see details below) depending on the level of feedback you want. Our editors, Dr. Judith Pell and Dr. Alison Haughton, have more than 15 years of experience as researchers and similar experience as editors!

3) 4 months of asynchronous private support

No matter what package you choose (also inside the GROUP PACKAGE), I'll be overseeing your progress, answering any questions and supporting you around your blocks via email and Slack either through text, voice or video. Our clients are particularly enjoying the voice messages, where, in a very efficient way, we can help you move past your blocks.

Hey, I’m Ana, and…

I'm the founder of "I focus and write", where we help scientists to focus and write with a mindful approach. One that got us published in Nature here and here. Since 2020 we've worked with hundreds of scientists at different stages in their careers. And since the beginning, they've asked me to create this program to write project proposals.

The Academic Launchpad mixes my experience of more than 15 years of research, mostly working in Wageningen (The Netherlands), with my own writing and getting funding from different sources (including Marie Curie), and with the experience of running this business!

But also born from the struggles. The feelings of not being good enough to get some grants. The rejections when they didn´t work. And not being able to make time while having a life, and two small kids.

Now, should we start?

The Academic Launchpad is our more advanced program to write a project proposal with confidence that they're on the right track. It's specially designed for:

PIs with their own group and postdocs who are serious about securing funding.
Scientists who want to apply to a medium-/big call. These are some examples of calls we have experience with, either for myself or as a coach for others: ERC starting grant, ERC consolidator grant, ERC advanced grant, Marie Curie, and national funding from The Netherlands (e.g. Veni-Vidi-Vici) and Spain (e.g. Plan Nacional, La Caixa.
Scientists who can take responsibility for learning the skills and writing their projects. We give you the map with our curriculum and structures. But you need to walk the path to find the treasure 🙌🏼 If you don't watch the lessons, skip the group sessions, and cancel the meetings, the results will not be what you expect.
Scientists with an affinity for the vision of "I focus and write". Mindful scientists who are ambitious, want to reach their research goals AND also want to have a private life where there is time and energy for rest, fun, and happiness!

Weekly feedback on your writing. We do our best to support you whenever you need help. But please note that this is a program with a medium level of support. If you'd like a coaching package with weekly revision of your writing and progress, let me know, I may have a few spots for that! Just message me.
A grant editor. This is a coaching program to give you the skills so YOU become a better grant writer. In some of our packages, we provide editorial feedback, but this is to complement the online lessons, where you'll get those skills.
A grant writer. This is a program where YOU'll learn to write your grants and projects. We will not write those for you. That's not a service we offer in "I focus and write".
A 100% guarantee that your project will be funded. Nobody can guarantee that, and I'd like to make it clear here too!

IS THIS COURSE SUITABLE FOR ANY RESEARCH FIELD?

The principles of the course apply to any research field, similar to what happens to most scientific writing books. The specific examples I show are mainly from my research field (Ecology, Entomology, Plant Sciences, Agriculture). But you could find those examples in proposals from your field. In addition to researchers from my topic, some of our students work on Astrophysics, Marine Biology, Cancer Research, Law, Anthropology, Human-Computer Interactions and Sociology.

Write a proposal you’re actually proud of, using a repeatable system that helps you make time to write and sell your ideas without the fear that they’re not good enough– no weekend writing required

Does any of this sound like you?

You're a postdoc or have your own group...

See what some of our past clients say...

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The academic launchpad

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Your success path

Writing an ERC consolidator grant

Your success path is supported with the following elements

1. THE CURRICULUM

2. SUPPORT & ACCOUNTABILITY

The workshops and Q&A

BONUS: Our co-working community

And... we have some very special new bonuses!

Bonus #1: "Mock" Peer Review Mondays"

Bonus #2: Focus day- a 1-day virtual writing retreat

Bonus #3: Your custom-built GPT

3. THE PRIVATE SUPPORT

Enrolment options

2000 €

2500 €

4000 €

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