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GenAI: Writing a (postdoctoral) research proposal

You are writing a research proposal and would like to use AI tools in the process. Perhaps you want to have your proposal checked for language errors, rewritten, translated... or you want to generate graphics and/or images. You may also want to incorporate AI into your research in another way, such as as a research method. Is that allowed? And what should you definitely take into account?

Position of the research funding organisation

It is essential to follow the instructions of the research funding organisation. Not following these instructions or failing to meet these expectations may result in your research proposal being declared inadmissible or being rejected (and, therefore, not receiving the necessary funding). So be sure to check for specific instructions or guidelines regarding the use of AI associated with the research funding for which you want to apply. If necessary, pay extra attention to the ethical aspects of technologies that may affect human health, safety or rights and freedoms.

Position of your (co-)supervisor/co-investigator(s).

If, for your (postdoctoral) research proposal, you collaborate as a researcher with a (co-)supervisor or co-researcher(s), a good relationship is important for the smooth progress of your research. In doing so, it may help if you are (more or less) on the same page regarding the use of AI in your research (proposal), so that this cannot lead to disagreements later on. As a consequence, you should what the position of your (co-)supervisor or co-researcher(s) is with regard to the use of AI when writing a research proposal or conducting research. Does he/she support the use or incorporation of AI in the research proposal/research, whether linguistically, substantively, methodologically or focus-wise? If questions should ever be raised about your use of AI, it is helpful that your (co-)supervisor or co-investigator is (1) fully informed and (2) personally supportive of the use. (Co)promoters or co-researchers who do not belong to UGent should be informed at the start of your research about this university's position regarding the use of (Gen)AI in research.

Position of your research institution

If you wish to conduct your research at Ghent University, you should also follow the guidelines of this research institution. UGent is committed to the ethical and responsible use of AI in research (and education). As a research institution, UGent subscribes to the European code of conduct for scientific integrity (also known as the ALLEA code) and also follows the other Belgian and European directives and legislation. Be sure to keep in mind the potential ethical implications and challenges that may be associated with the usage of AI.

If you will be conducting the research together with other universities or research institutions, then you should also take into account the point of view of these institutions and come to an agreement concerning the use of (Gen)AI. In addition, it is also best to discuss the use of (Gen)AI with the other researchers who are (or will be) involved in the project.

Want more information about the responsible use of AI at UGent (in education and research)? Then consult the following pages (more information at the end of this Research Tip):

Intranet: Artificial Intelligence and Research
Research Tip: GenAI: responsible use in research
Research Tip: GDPR: What should I take into account when developing or using AI?
Research Tip: GenAI: Overview of National and European legislation and guidelines
Research Tip: GenAI: Writing a scientific article
Research Tip: GenAI: Writing a (postdoctoral) research proposal
Research Tip: GenAI: PhD research (proposal) and AI
Education Tip: Generative AI in Ghent University Education: Impact and Approach
Experimentation Guidelines: Experimentation Guidelines for Generative AI Tools (See: Section I)
Learning Path: Generative AI for teachers: Concepts, Creations and Classroom Practice (also relevant for researchers!)
Courses and info session: please consult the UTOP-platform
Info for Ghent University students: Generative AI in Education at Ghent University

National and European legislation and guidelines

In addition to the above factors, you should also consider national and international legislation and guidelines if you as a researcher want to use AI for or incorporate it into your research. Thus, depending on where you would conduct your research, you must comply and follow national (Belgian) and European legislation and guidelines.

A concrete overview of Belgian and European legislation and guidelines can be found in the Research Tip “GenAI: overview of national and European legislation and guidelines”.

Need more information about AI?

Quite a lot of information regarding the use of AI, from different perspectives and with different objectives, is already available at Ghent University.

More information regarding (Gen)AI and research?