01 WELCOME!

GRANT & ACADEMIC WRITING & PROOFREADING

FUNDING CONSULTANCY

I'm Nick Walters, a freelance grant writer and funding consultant based in Helsinki.

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I'm available to support and train you and your team in preparing grant engaging proposals which respond to the expectations of the funding body you are applying, maximising their chance of success.

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What I do:

• Freelance grant writer & funding consultant: I can support you with any funding instrument or topic;

• Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke): full-time principal specialist in grant writing, highly focussed on Horizon Europe and Academy of Finland proposals;

• Alien Technology Transfer: freelance grant writing for start-ups and SMEs applying to the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator;

• Pitch Perfect: training on grant writing and presentations.

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What I used to do:

• Tampere University: postdoctoral researcher on using biomaterials to study and harness stem cell–extracellular matrix interactions;

• University College London: PhD candidate on dental biomaterials;

• Imperial College London: laboratory manager in the fields of stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.

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Topics I am experienced in writing about:

• Socially, economically and environmental sustainability and circular bioeconomy, including sectors such as agriculture, food systems, forestry, fisheries, predator and game management, nature tourism, waste disposal, and art and other methods for engaging the public and stakeholders;

• Any field of biology, with particular expertise on biomaterials, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.

I provide the following freelance services:

 • Grant writing, advising & coaching, except where there is conflict of interest with my employer

 • Academic reviewing, editing & advising on biological, biomedical, biochemical & biomaterials manuscripts

 • Proofreading of any English language text, except on highly specialised topics outside my expertise

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I have experience in the following funding schemes:

 • Horizon Europe (and its predecessor Horizon 2020)

    ○ Clusters

    ○ MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions)

    ○ ERC (European Research Council)

    ○ EIC (European Innovation Council)

• Other funding from the European Union

    ○ COST Actions (European Cooperation in Science & Technology)

    ○ LIFE (Environment & climate action)

 • Academy of Finland

    ○ Strategic Research Council

    ○ Postdoctoral Researcher, Academy Research Fellow or Academy Professor

    ○ Academy Project

    ○ Academy Programme

    ○ Centre of Excellence

 • Funding from other instruments

    ○ Finnish foundations

    ○ Wellcome Trust

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Contact me for a quote!

02 EXPERIENCE

BIOLOGY, BIOMEDICINE, BIOCHEMISTRY & BIOMATERIALS

SUSTAINABLE BIOECONOMY & DEVELOPMENT

2020

2019

PRINCIPAL SPECIALIST,

GRANT WRITER

Natural Resources Institute Finland | Finland

08/2018–present

2017

2018

INTEGRATION TRAINING

Onnenkieli Oy & TAKK | Finland

Finnish language education up to level B1

10/2017–07/2018

OUTREACH OFFICER &

HOST OF 2019 CONFERENCE

Scandinavian Society for Biomaterials Board

06/2016–06/2019

2016

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

University of Tampere | Finland

Adult Stem Cell Group

PI: Assoc. Prof. Susanna Miettinen

07/2015–08/2017

CO-FOUNDER & CO-CHAIR

TERMIS-EU Business Plan Competition

TERMIS Pre-Accelerator Programme

11/2015–06/2018

2015

2014

2013

2012

PROJECT RESEARCHER

Tampere University of Technology | Finland

Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering Group

PI: Prof. Minna Kellomäki

10/2014–06/2015

PhD

BIOMATERIALS

University College London | UK

Dental Biomaterials Group

PI: Prof. Anne Young

09/2011–04/2016

POSTGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

UCL Eastman Dental Institute

Athena SWAN Gender Equality Committee

2012–2014

2011

2010

MSc

CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Uppsala University | Sweden

08/2009–08/2011

2009

2008

BIOMATERIALS TECHNICIAN & LABORATORY ADMINSTRATOR

Imperial College London | UK

Biomedical Materials & Regenerative Medicine Group

PI: Prof. Molly Stevens

11/2007–07/2009

2007

2006

Citation Metrics

Peer-reviewed journal publications: 5

Peer-reviewed conference proceedings: 19

Total journal citations: 168

h-index: 5 | i10-index: 4

2005

2004

BSc

BIOCHEMISTRY

The University of Reading | UK

Uppsala University | Sweden

09/2003–07/2006

For a complete CV, including publications:

2003