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Horizon 2020Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Innovative Training Networks 2020 Call Information Event
• Maximise UK engagement in EU-funded research, innovation and higher education activities
Mission
• Based in Brussels• European office of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)• Delivers subscription-based advisory services for
around 150 research organisations in the UK and beyond
• Provides ERC and MSCA National Contact Point services on behalf of the UK Government
Our office
About UKRO
UKRO hosts the UK NCPs for:
UKRO National Contact Points
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
www.ukro.ac.uk/[email protected]
Phone: 0032 2 230 0318
European Research Council
www.ukro.ac.uk/[email protected]
Phone: 0032 2289 6121
Exit Negotiations UK participation in EU programmes including Horizon 2020
(To Be Added and shared after the event)
Funding Rules Eligibility of Funding and Third Country Participation
The 28 EU Member States:
• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
Who is eligible for funding?
• Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) linked to Member States;– Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands,
Curaçao, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, Greenland, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn Islands, Saba, Saint Barthélémy, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands, Wallis and Futuna
• 16 Associated Countries: – Norway, Iceland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Israel, Moldova, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Ukraine Tunisia, Armenia and Georgia.
• Third countries (their eligibility for EU funding depends on their GDP; only countries mentioned in Annex A to the WP are eligible to automatically receive H2020 funding)
Who is eligible for funding?
• Only countries mentioned in Annex A of the Horizon 2020 Work Programme are automatically eligible for EU funding
• Developed and developing economies, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico don’t automatically qualify for EU funding
Third countries – eligibility and funding
Exceptionally, funding provided in following cases:• Under the existence of an agreement for funding;• When participation is essential to success of project due to:
– Competence/expertise; – Access to research/infrastructure/geographical
environments/data.ITN Evaluators need to endorse each exceptional case
In the Guide for Applicants it is recommended that Third Country organisations participate in ITNs as Partner Organisations
Innovative Training Networks - Consortium Roles
Beneficiaries• Signatory to the Grant Agreement• Full partner of the network• Claim costs directly• Responsible for recruiting, supervising, hosting and training ESRs• Can also provide secondment opportunities• Participate in Supervisory Board
Partner organisations • Do not sign the Grant Agreement• Do not recruit ESRs• Do not claim costs directly (through the beneficiary)• Provide training and host ESRs during secondments• Participate in Supervisory Board• Need to provide a letter of commitment!
Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie ActionsPolicy Context
Horizon 2020 Structure
Excellent Science
European Research Council (ERC)
Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Research Infrastructures
Industrial Leadership
Leadership in Enabling and
Industrial Technologies (LEIT) - ICT, NMBP, Space
Access to Risk Finance
Innovation in SMEs
Societal Challenges
Health and Wellbeing
Food security
Transport
Energy
Climate action
Societies
Security
Widening Participation; Science with and for Society, Mainstreaming of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and ICT, Fast Track to Innovation
European Institute of Innovation and
Technology (EIT)EURATOM Joint Research Centre
(JRC)
“…contribute to excellent research, boosting jobs, growth and investment by equipping researchers with the new knowledge, skills and international and intersectoral exposure to fill the top positions of tomorrow and solve current and future societal challenges...based on the principle of mobility…open to researchers and innovation staff at all stages… ensuring good working conditions and work/life balance…”
2018-20 Work
Programme
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
• Have a structuring effect on the European Research Area through trans-nationaland inter-sectoral mobility to create a European labour market for researchers
• Strengthen human potential by:– Encouraging people to become researchers– Encouraging researchers to carry out their research in Europe
MSCA Policy PrioritiesEncouraging people to
become researchers and to carry out research in
Europe
Equip researchers with the necessary skills and international experience for a successful career either in the public or
the private sector
Ensure the optimum development and dynamic use of
Europe’s intellectual capital
Generate new skills, knowledge and
innovationDevelop attractive career
opportunities
Contribute to excellent research, boosting jobs
Foster innovation, research-business
cooperation, including a strong international
component
Operates in a ‘bottom-up’ basis
Any Research and Innovation ideas (basic research; market uptake)
Mobility (cross-border and cross-sector) is a key requirement
Enhance skills of people behind research and innovation
Strong participation across sectors
Dissemination and public engagement - public outreach
Gender balance – equal opportunities in the research content
MSCA Key Features
MSC Actions
MSCA calls – 2019/20 Call Timetable
Call identifier Publication date Deadline Call Budget€M
MSCA-ITN-2019
MSCA-ITN-2020
13 September 2018
12 September 2019
10 January 2019
14 January 2020
470
530
MSCA-RISE-2019
MSCA-RISE-2020
4 December 2018
5 December 2019
3 April 2019
28 April 2020
80
80
MSCA-IF-2019
MSCA-IF-2020
11 April 2019
8 April 2020
11 September 2019
9 September 2020
300
328
MSCA-COFUND-2019
MSCA-COFUND-2020
4 April 2019
8 April 2020
26 September 2019
29 September 2020
90
100
MSCA-NIGHT-2020 8 October 2019 9 January 2020 8
Researcher level:
• Increased skills; both research-related and transferable
• Improved employability and career prospects both in and outside academia
• Increase in higher impact R&I output;
• Greater contribution to the knowledge-based economy and society
Organisation level:
• Employment of talented, well-funded researchers in any research field
• Enhanced cooperation and stronger networks
• Better transfer of knowledge between sectors and disciplines
• Boosting of R&I capacity among participating organisations
At system level:
• Increase international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility of researchers in Europe
• Strengthen Europe's human capital base in R&I
• Better communication of R&I results to society
• Increase in Europe's attractiveness as a R&I destination.
• High quality R&I contributing to Europe's competitiveness and growth
Expected Impact
Policy context
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/useful-information/policy-library#document-collapsible-universities-universities
• A joint declaration on sustainable researcher careers • Published Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) and the European Council of Doctoral
Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc)• Offers concrete recommendations to empower researchers and secure a globally
competitive European Research Area and Higher Education sector• Published 27 May 2019
Declaration on Sustainable Researcher Careers
• Is a set of general principles and requirements which specifies the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers as well as of employers and/or funders of researchers
• It constitutes a framework for researchers, employers and funders
The European Charter for Researchers
• Set of general principles and requirements that should be followed by employers and/or funders when appointing or recruiting researchers.
The Code of Conduct for Recruitment
Promotion of attractive working and employment conditions
‘All applicants to the MSCA calls are encouraged to adopt an Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach into their proposals.’’
What does this mean? Engaging society
Integrating the gender and ethical dimensionsEnsuring the access to research outcomes
Encouraging formal and informal science education
Responsible Research and Innovation
Report from the Expert Group on Policy Indicators for Responsible Research and Innovation
Open Science
European Code od Conduct for Research Integrity
Innovative Training Networks (ITN)An Overview and Introduction to the different modes
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Overview
Main EU programme for structured doctoral training• Dedicated to early-stage researchers (ESR)• Broad partnerships to include both the academic and non-academic sectors
3 modes:
European Training Networks (ETN)
European Joint Doctorates (EJD)
European Industrial Doctorates (EID)
Objectives• Raise excellence and structure research and doctoral training• Train a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative early-stage
researchers• Facilitate triple 'i' dimension of mobility: international, interdisciplinary, intersectoral• Create knowledge triangle: research, education, innovation• Enhance employability of young researchers• Exchange of best practice amongst participating organisations
Key MSCA ITN DefinitionsEarly Stage Researcher (ESR)• At the time of recruitment (ITN) by the host organisation,
must be in the first 4 years (full-time research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree
Academic sector• Includes universities and higher education institutions
(public and private) awarding degrees, non-profit research institutions (public and private), and international European interest organisations
Non-academic sector• Includes any socio-economic actor not included in the
academic sector
Mobility Rule in ITN
No restrictions on nationality!
Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the
country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years
immediately before the recruitment date
• Physical location of researcher is important
• Recruitment date is the first day or employment of the researcher for the purpose of the action (as stated in their employment contract)
• Short stays (holidays, conferences) are not taken into account
European Joint Doctorates (EJD)
European Joint Doctorates
Innovative Training Networks
Common features: • Can only recruit Early Stage Researchers (no PhD/less than 4 years
experience)• Maximum project length = 48 months• Maximum individual ESR contract length = 36 months• Third country participation optional
European Training Networks (ETN)
Max: 540 Months of
Researcher Time
Early-Stage Researcher training through a multi-partner, multidisciplinary programme across academic and non-academic partners. Funds individual research projects, secondments and network events.
MS/AC
x3(min)
Doctoral Programme
Optional
Eligibility Requirements:
European Training Networks (ETN)
European Industrial Doctorates (EID)
Innovative Training Networks
Max: 540 Months of
Researcher Time
Early-Stage Researcher training through a multi-partner, multidisciplinary programme across academic and non-academic partners. Funds individual research projects, secondments and network events.
Joint governance and
joint degree award
Common features: • Can only recruit Early Stage Researchers (no PhD/less than 4 years
experience)• Maximum project length = 48 months• Maximum individual ESR contract length = 36 months• Third country participation optional
Eligibility Requirements:
MS/AC(min)
Doctoral Programme Mandatory
x3
European Joint Doctorates (EJD)
European Training Networks (ETN)
European Joint Doctorates
Innovative Training Networks
Max: 180 Months of
Researcher Time
Early-Stage Researcher training through a multi-partner, multidisciplinary programme across academic and non-academic partners. Funds individual research projects, secondments and network events.
Joint governance
and supervision
Eligibility Requirements:
Doctoral Programme Mandatory
MS/AC(min)x2
x1(min)
x1(min)
Academic
Non-Academic
European Industrial Doctorates (EID)
Common features: • Can only recruit Early Stage Researchers (no PhD/less than 4 years
experience)• Maximum project length = 48 months• Maximum individual ESR contract length = 36 months• Third country participation optional
Innovative Training Networks Overview
40% budget rule
• Maximum 40.0% of the EU funding allocated to beneficiaries in the same country.
• Exception for EID with two legal entities.
• This is the total budget allocated to a country - not number of person-months.
Implementation Mode Country of beneficiaries
ETN Minimum: 3 different countries: MS or AC
EID Minimum: 2 different countries: MS or AC
EJD Minimum: 3 different countries: MS or AC
Additional beneficiaries can be established in MS, AC or TC included in the list of countries eligible for funding provided in General Annex A to the Work Programme (see TC exceptional cases below).
Partner organisations can be established anywhere in the world.
European Training Networks (ETN)
• Average size: 6-10 beneficiaries (+as many partners as required)
• Expectation of beneficiaries from both academic and non-academicsectors
• Each beneficiary recruits and hosts at least one ESR
• ESR contract length: 3-36 months (project length up to 48 months)
• Enrolment on doctoral programme not mandatory, but if planned PhD awarding bodies must be at least Partner organisations
• Joint supervision encouraged
• Subject to the 40% budget rule
European Training Networks (ETN)
ETN – minimum set-up
Max. 540 researcher months(15 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
40% budget rule applicable
ETN – minimum set-up
Max. 540 researcher months(15 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
40% budget rule applicable
European Joint Doctorate (EJD)
• Coherent joint doctoral programmes that deliver joint, double or multiple degrees
• Recommended size: 4-8 beneficiaries
• Sustainable, lasting doctoral-level cooperation
• Mandatory doctoral enrolment
• Joint selection, supervision, monitoring and assessment of ESRs through a joint governance structure
• ESRs split stays between beneficiaries to meet requirements of degree
European Joint Doctorates (EJD)
• Single diploma issued by at least two HEIs offering an integrated programme and recognised officially in the countries where the degree-awarding institutions are located
Joint degree
• Two or more separate national diplomas issued by two or more HEIs and recognised officially in the countries where the degree awarding institutions are located
Double / multiple degrees
EJD - degree options
• The final degree must be awarded by institutions from at least twodifferent countries
• At least two-thirds of the supported ESRs must be enrolled in a joint, double or multiple degree within EU MS/AC
EJD – minimum set-up
Max. 540 researcher months (15 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
Minimum two-thirds must be enrolled in a joint, double or multiple degree within EU MS/AC
Ability to award Joint, Double or Multiple Doctoral Degrees.
Participation of Non-Academic sector is essential
EJD – minimum set-up
Max. 540 researcher months (15 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
Minimum two-thirds must be enrolled in a joint, double or multiple degree within EU MS/AC
Ability to award Joint, Double or Multiple Doctoral Degrees.
Participation of Non-Academic sector is essential
European Industrial Doctorate (EID)
• Mandatory non-academic beneficiary
• ESRs must be enrolled on a doctoral programme
• Mandatory joint selection, training and supervision by both sectors
• ESR contract length: 36 months expected, can be split between beneficiaries (check mobility rules and salary implications)
• ESRs to have minimum 50% time in the non-academic sector:
- at least 20% inter-sectoral mobility must be international
• EID specific table in Section 4 of Part B2 of the proposal to check compliance with EID requirements (New from 2018)
European Industrial Doctorates (EID)
EID – Minimum Set-up (2 Beneficiaries)
Max. 180 researcher months(5 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
40% budget rule not applicable
EID – Minimum Set-up (2 Beneficiaries)
Max. 180 researcher months(5 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
40% budget rule not applicable
EID – Minimum Set-up (3+ Beneficiaries)
Max. 540 researcher months(15 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
40% budget rule applicable
EID – Minimum Set-up (3+ Beneficiaries)
Max. 540 researcher months(15 ESRs on 36 month contracts)
40% budget rule applicable
Innovative Training Networks Overview
40% budget rule
• Maximum 40.0% of the EU funding allocated to beneficiaries in the same country.
• Exception for EID with two legal entities.
• This is the total budget allocated to a country - not number of person-months.
Added ValueThe Importance of the Training in an Innovative Training Network
• Multidisciplinary, international, intersectoral consortia
• Joint research and training programme
• Recruit researchers across the consortium – each researcher has an Individual Research Project
– All projects publish vacancies on EURAXESS.– Recruitment to employment contracts with full social security.– Recruited as an employee to institution – student status is secondary
(visa implications).– Cannot be expected to pay Tuition Fees from Salary
Typical Innovative Training Networks
• Transferable skills training;– Communication– Research management– Societal outreach – Entrepreneurship– IPR, Open Science– Gender
• Exposure to non-academic sector
• Networking events
• Dissemination activities– Social media– Conferences– Initiating/Closing Events – Public engagement
A typical Innovative Training Network
ESR Career Development
Research and Innovation
Project
Secondments
Dissemination and
Communication
Seminars and Workshops
Visiting Researchers
Summer Schools
• Highly recommended to complement training of ESRs
Secondments in ITN
ETN
Up to 30% of ESR recruitment period
can be on secondment
EJD
No limit on secondment period
EID
Up to 30% of ESR recruitment period
can be on secondment
ESR must spend at least 50% of their
time in non-academic sector
Anywhere in the world – Host must be Beneficiary or Partner in consortia.
Costs for 6 months or less covered by RTN Unit Cost.
Building a Consortium
• FTOP Partner search
• “Projects and Results” on CORDIS
• European Enterprise Network - brings together almost 600 business in over 50 countries
• Domain specific search platforms;– ICT (Ideal-Ist): http://www.ideal-ist.eu/– Nanotechnologies: https://www.nmp-partnersearch.eu/index.php– Pharmaceuticals: https://cloud.imi.europa.eu/web/eimi-pst– Environment: http://www.irc.ee/envncp/?page=search– Social Science & Humanities: http://net4society.eu/public/pss.php
• Events, info days, conferences – Existing Networks
How to find partners?
Net4Mobility+ - Expressions of Interesthttps://www.net4mobilityplus.eu/eoi/
Innovative Training Networks - Consortium Roles
Beneficiaries• Signatory to the Grant Agreement• Full partner of the network• Claim costs directly• Responsible for recruiting, supervising, hosting and training ESRs• Can also provide secondment opportunities• Participate in Supervisory Board
Partner organisations • Do not sign the Grant Agreement• Do not recruit ESRs• Do not claim costs directly (through the beneficiary)• Provide training and host ESRs during secondments• Participate in Supervisory Board• Need to provide a letter of commitment!
Mind differences with other MSCA schemes, such as RISE!
• Headed paper • Signed by a legal representative • Should be scanned and included in Part B2 (Section 7)• Evaluators disregard the contribution of partner organisations if no
letter provided
For all ITNs: letters from Partner Organisations only- Template now provided in Annex 6.a- Include specifics about role, participation and commitment to the project
For EJD only: letters from Beneficiaries• From the academic beneficiaries that will award the doctoral degrees• Signed by a legal representative – a person authorised to commit the
beneficiary to the joint degree programme
ITN Partners – Letter of Commitment Template provided (Annex 6)
• Mandatory for all ITNs! Concluded in principle before Grant Agreement signed – deliverable within 2 months of project start
• No official templates, normally prepared by coordinator
• Unofficial templates, based on DESCA 2020 Model Consortium Agreement:– LERU template for European Training Networks:– BAK template for European Training Networks:
• IPR Helpdesk – IP in MSCA Factsheet
ITN Consortium Agreements
REA is not party to this agreement and does not verify its
content.
Funding Rules
Researcher unit cost [person/month] Euros
Institutional unit cost[person/month] Euros
Living allowance*
Mobility allowance
Family allowance
Research, training and networking costs
Management and overheads
ITN 3270 600 500 1800 1200
ITN Funding
Funding based on unit costs Multiplied by requested ESR person months Country-specific correction co-efficient applied to living allowance (UK = 139.83%)
Researcher unit cost [person/month] Euros
Institutional unit cost[person/month] Euros
Living allowance*
Mobility allowance
Family allowance
Research, training and networking costs
Management and overheads
ITN 3270 600 500 1800 1200
ITN Funding
Funding based on unit costs Multiplied by requested ESR person months Country-specific correction co-efficient applied to living allowance (UK = 139.83%)
Researcher unit cost [person/month] Euros
Institutional unit cost[person/month] Euros
Living allowance*
Mobility allowance
Family allowance
Research, training and networking costs
Management and overheads
ITN 3270 600 500 1800 1200
ITN Funding
Automated calculation of budget when ESR months filled into application;
ITN Funding - EU contribution
Researcher Unit Costs (ESR allowances) • Cover employer + employee contributions;
• National Insurance, statutory pension and tax• Good practice to explain the final amount paid to the fellows• Explanation of Exchange Rate
• Required to demonstrate Researcher Unit costs are paid in full to the fellow for the period employed on the project.
Institutional Unit Costs • Moved between beneficiaries or redistributed to partners (as per
CA); • Coordinator usually retains proportion of management costs• Discuss Budget Early when preparing CA
• Managed by beneficiaries according to usual policies.• No detailed financial reporting
Institutional Unit Costs
Research Training and Networking
Costs
Cover the cost of research and
training activities on the project
Purchasing of consumables or laboratory costs
Conferences Workshops Networking
Coordination and review meetings
Secondments
Management and Indirect
costs
All general costs connected with the organisation
and implementation of the project
Administrative or financial
management
Logistics, ethics, HR, legal advice, documentation
Institutional Cost Categories
Institutional Unit Costs
Research Training and Networking
Costs
Cover the cost of research and
training activities on the project
Purchasing of consumables or laboratory costs
Conferences Workshops Networking
Coordination and review meetings
Secondments
Management and Indirect
costs
All general costs connected with the organisation
and implementation of the project
Administrative or financial
management
Logistics, ethics, HR, legal advice, documentation
PhD Tuition fees
ESRs cannot be expected to pay fee from salary
Eligible cost under institutional costs budget;
Practice varies (waived/reduced fees; claimed fees)
Institutional Cost Categories
• Support for participation of individuals with disabilities whose long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities inhibit participation in MSCA projects.
Aim
• Open to beneficiaries involved in ITN, RISE, IF or COFUNDEligibility
• A lump sum of maximum value €60,000 per researcher• Cannot cover costs covered by another source, (social
security/health insurance)Funding
• MSCA Beneficiaries sent a letter with link to the application• Application includes request details and estimated budget How to Apply
• The 2019 call two cut off periods (April and November)• Similar timetable and procedure expected for the 2020 call Call Deadline
• Evaluated by expertise in the area of disabilities• Excellence, Impact and Implementation Evaluation
MSCA Special Needs Lump Sum (SNLS)
Application ProcessSubmitting the Proposal
Indicative budget €530M (€45M EJD, €40 EID)
Publication date 12 September 2019
Call deadline 14 January 2020(17:00 Brussels time)
Evaluation of proposals Feb-April 2020
Evaluation Outcome June 2020
Signing of Grant Agreement September 2020
5 m
onth
s
1-stage submission
Feedback Report (ESR)
ITN 2020 Call Information
Evaluation Panels for ETN
• Chemistry (CHE)• Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC)• Economic Sciences (ECO)• Information Science and Engineering (ENG)• Environment and Geosciences (ENV)• Life Sciences (LIF)• Mathematics (MAT)• Physics (PHY)
Multidisciplinary Panels
• European Joint Doctorates (EJD)• European Industrial Doctorates (EID)
Application Process
• Abstract and Descriptors are important!
• No predefined budget allocation among the panels.
• Budget distributed based on number of eligible proposals in each panel
BUT multidisciplinarityencouraged!
Funding and Tenders Portal
All individuals involved will required an ‘EU Log-in’ (formally ECAS)
Search Funding Opportunities
Find the ITN call in 5 clicks!
1
2
4
3
5
All the information you need, including the guide for applicants.
Select your ITN Mode to begin your application
Proposal Submission
Coordinatorregisters the draft
proposal
• PIC code.• Acronym and
Summary• Choice of panel.
Coordinatoradds beneficiary
organisations onto the proposal
• PIC codes (at least draft PIC).• Contacts
Proposal completed
• Part A- Administrative forms• Part B1/B2 - Upload as pdf.)
Proposal submitted
• Submission system checks
Submit early and often!
Submission System
Adding Participants
• Only Beneficiaries
• Not Partner Organisations
• This was changed in 2018 but changed back for the 2019 call
Submission System
Download Part B template in Word format.
Upload Part B1 and B2 in .pdf format.
Edit and update information in Part A.
Proposal – Part A (Administrative forms)
Many fields will be pre-populated using information from both PIC and EU Log-ins.
All other fields to be completed and saved in the online form.
Only one call specific question – Open Data Pilot
• Funding based fully on unit costs, multiplied by requested person months
• Automated calculation of budget when secondment months filled into application
• Automatically assumes 50% of family allowance when calculating budget
ITN Budget
30 pages
No Gantt Chart!
Proposal – Part B (Research proposal)
B1
B2
• Two mandatory milestones added during Grant Agreement preparation:
• For EID and EJD projects other specific milestones may be added
Implementation Section - Milestones
Recruitment Process
Complete• Due Month 12
Mid Term Check
• Meeting with REA• Participation of all
Beneficiaries and Partners Required
• Month 13-15
Submit Final Version
- Submit Early- Submit Often
Register in FTOP
Give Proposal Access
Stick to Formatting
Rules
Present Case
Clearly
Discuss Budget
Proposal Tips
Questions so far…..?
Innovative Training Networks (ITN)
Evaluation Process and Award Criteria
A Few Statistics….
Submission Rates by Panel
Evaluated proposals Threshold Success
Rate
LIF 95.2 7.2%ENG 94.4 7.8%PHY 95.2 6.6%CHE 93.4 6.9%ENV 92.8 7.3%SOC 95.2 7.4%MAT 88.4 6.7%ECO 92.4 12.5%EID 92 9.6%EJD 92.6 9.2%
ITN Call Results
Threshold Success Rate
93.8 7.3%93 7.2%
93.6 6%94 6.3%
95.4 6.4%97.4 7.4%85.4 7.7%98 10%92 16.5%94 9.5%
Threshold Success Rate
94.8 7.8%91.4 5.5%94.4 8.1%95.6 7.1%95.2 8%94.2 5.9%96.2 7.4%97.4 7.5%91.4 10.6%92.8 12.7%
2015 2016 2017
Evaluated proposals Threshold Success
Rate
LIF 96.0 6.6%ENG 97.2 5.0%PHY 94.0 6.7%CHE 96.4 6.9%ENV 95.0 6.8%SOC 93.0 9.1%MAT 94.2 6.1%ECO 95.8 5.9%EID 90.8 13.1%EJD 94.2 11.3%
ITN Call Results
Threshold Success Rate
95.2 7.6%94.8 8.0%93.4 7.4%96.0 7.5%97.2 7.4%95.6 8.1%96.6 6.3%91.6 6.3%92.6 11.8%93.6 11.7%
2018 2019
MSCA Statistics – On-line Tool
http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/funded-projects/horizon-2020-statistics_en
Evaluation ProcessWhat happens after you submit?
Become an Evaluator!
At least 25% of
newcomers per call
Private –Public
balanceNationality BalanceGenderExpertise
The Research Executive Agency considers;
Pre-selection of bigger pool, final selection after call closure
Evaluator Guidance Video:https://ec.europa.eu/info/animated-briefing-independent-experts_en
Expert Selection
Research Domain
Multidisciplinary
PhD ProgrammeManagement
>40% Female 26% Non-academic
Receipt of proposals
Individualevaluation
Consensusgroup
Panel Review Finalisation
Evaluators
IndividualEvaluation
Reports
(done remotely)
ConsensusReport
(done remotely)
Panel ranked list
Eligibility check
Allocation of proposals to evaluators
Cleaned EvaluationSummary Reports
Chairs & Vice-Chairs
Evaluation Process
Individual Evaluation
Report
IndividualEvaluation
Report Individual Evaluation
Report
Consensus group
Consensus Report
Expert Expert Expert Minimum 3 experts
Individual evaluation
Consensus
Proposal Eligible proposal
Evaluation Process
• Annex 2 to the Guide for Applicants (page 34)
• Grants Manual: Section on submission and evaluation
• MSCA ITN evaluation form – do self-evaluation
Understand Evaluation Process
Part B of your proposalEvaluation grid
Evaluation and scoring
Marie Skłodowska-CurieExcellence Impact Implementation
Scored on a scale of 0-550% 30% 20%
Weighting1 2 3
Priority in case of ex aequoOverall threshold of 70% applies to total score
• Proposals funded in ranking order
• Highly competitive - need to score of 90-95+ depending on the scheme/panel
• Same scores: prioritisation decided by panel, based on scores for award criteria (weighting above). Further prioritisation based on criteria in line with the WP (e.g. intersectoral mobility, international co-operation, gender).
• No restrictions on re-application
0 Proposal fails to address the criterion or cannot be assessed due to missing or incomplete information.
1 Poor. The criterion is inadequately addressed, or there are serious inherentweaknesses.
2 Fair. Proposal broadly addresses the criterion, but there are significant weaknesses.
3 Good. Proposal addresses the criterion well, but a number of shortcomings arepresent.
4 Very Good. Proposal addresses the criterion very well, but a small number of shortcomings are present.
5 Excellent. Proposal successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the criterion. Any shortcomings are minor.
Score Descriptors
• Each evaluation is an independent exercise.
• Declare Resubmissions from 2018 or 2019 Call
• Should not make reference to the previous outcome in new proposal
• The evaluators receive a copy of the previous Evaluation Summary
Report at consensus phase
• In case the evaluation markedly differs from the previous evaluation(s),
the evaluators will be instructed to verify that their comments and scores
for the current proposal are duly justified.
• There will be no comparison between proposals.
ITN Resubmissions
ITN Resubmission DataITN Call 2014 2015 2016Total number of eligible ITN proposals 1161 1563 1565Total number of resubmissions among eligible proposals 316 694 817
Number of funded projects (Main list) 121 106 109
Number of resubmissions among funded projects (Main list) 54 60 66
Resubmissions among funded projects (Main list) - % 44.6% 55.6% 60.6%
Overall ITN success rate (Main list/eligible proposals) 10.4% 6.8% 7.0%
ITN resubmissions success rate (Resubmissions in Main List/Resubmissions) 17.1% 8.6% 8.1%
Total % of resubmissions among submitted proposals 27.2% 44.4% 52.2%
• Resubmission allowed, but no reference to the outcome of previous evaluations in new proposal• Evaluators' feedback received can be helpful. However, each evaluation is conducted independently
from the previous one • Look to update your proposals not only with regard to feedback received, but try to improve the quality
of the project as a whole
Award CriteriaExcellence, Impact and Implementation
ITN Evaluation Criteria Excellence• Quality, innovative aspects and credibility of the research programme• Quality and innovative aspects of the training programme• Quality of the supervision• Quality of the proposed interaction between the participating organisations
Impact• Enhancing the career perspectives and employability of researchers• Contribution to structuring doctoral / early-stage research training at the
European Level• Quality of the proposed measures to exploit and disseminate the project results• Quality of the proposed measures to communicate the project activities
Implementation• Coherence and effectiveness of the programme of work• Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures• Appropriateness of the infrastructure of the participating organisations• Competences, experience and complementarity of participating organisations
and their commitment to the programme
1.1 Quality, innovative aspects and credibility of the research programme (including inter/multidisciplinary and intersectoralaspects and, where appropriate, gender aspects)• Be Kind to the evaluator!
• Use diagrams, tables, figures as appropriate to clarify any point• Ensure the Research Programme and its objectives, metholodogy,
approach, originality and innovativeness are clear• Explain how individual projects integrate into the research programme• Think about the benefit to Europe of having an ITN in this area• Use Work Packages that reflect the research objectives
1.2 Quality and innovative aspects of the training programme (including transferable skills, inter/multidisciplinary and intersectoralaspects)• Detailed summary of the training objectives stressing the innovative
aspects.• Training opportunities unique and tailored to particular areas• Offered on a network-wide scale (or broader where appropairate)• Emphasise the role of any non-academic organisations in the training and
their impact• Including secondments is highly recommended to increase impact
ITN Evaluation Criteria - Excellence
1.3 Quality of the supervision (including mandatory joint supervision for EID and EJD)• Qualifications of supervisor(s)
• Numbers of previously supervised fellows• Numbers of post-docs mentored
• Reference European Charter for Researchers• Include details of joint supervision - mandatory for EID/EJD;• How will they complement each other• Who will be responsible for what aspects
1.4 Quality of the proposed interaction between the participating organisations• Contributions of participating organisations with justification, (expertise,
geographical location, existing links collaborations)• Synergies between partners:
• How they complement and enhance each others activities• Opporunity for researchers to be involved in of linked activities
• Exposure to different sectors or working outside ‘comfort zones’:• Learning new techniques• Developing transferable skills (of benefit to industry)
ITN Evaluation Criteria - Excellence
• Is an explicit evaluation criteria under Excellence • Equal Opportunities among staff and decision-makers/supervisors• Gender dimension in research• Gender dimension in training, project management and networking
activities• Guidance on Promoting Gender Equality
Cross Cutting Issue
• Understanding gender dimension for MSCA projects – video• H2020 Online Manual – Gender Equality • GENDER-NET - Promotion Video• Gender Innovations – Case studies• Toolkit and Training – How to make research gender sensitive • European Institute for Gender Equality - Gender Equality in Academia
and Research • Gender Action –webinars on inclusion of gender in H2020 proposals • H2020 Gender Advisory Group paper – better integration of gender in
work programme development
Resources
Gender
2.1 Enhancing the career perspectives and employability of researchers - contribution to their skills development• Explain the impact of the research and training on the Fellows’ careers
• Link research training, transferable skill development and exposure to different sectors
• Think about how the research programme fits into higher level EU policies:• European Charter for Researchers• Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers • European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
2.2 Contribution to structuring doctoral / early-stage research training at the European level and to strengthening European innovation capacity, including the potential for:A)Meaningful contribution of the non-academic sector to the doctoral/research training, as appropriate to the implementation mode and research field• What is their role in the programme and how does it enhance it to be world
leading?• What can the programme offer that other programmes don’t or can’t?• Make sure the innovative aspects that the non-academic partners bring are
emphasised
ITN Evaluation Criteria - Impact
2.1 Enhancing the career perspectives and employability of researchers - contribution to their skills development• Explain the impact of the research and training on the Fellows’ careers
• Link research training, transferable skill development and exposure to different sectors
• Think about how the research programme fits into higher level EU policies:• European Charter for Researchers• Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers • European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
2.2 Contribution to structuring doctoral / early-stage research training at the European level and to strengthening European innovation capacity, including the potential for:B) Developing sustainable joint doctoral degree structures (for EJD projects only)• How might the programme contribute to developing sustainable
collaborative degree structures delivering joint degrees
• Demonstrate further, cross-border integration of EU institutions through the programme
ITN Evaluation Criteria - Impact
2.3 Quality of the proposed measures to exploit and disseminate the project results• Horizon 2020 obligations to make publications and research data
open access• How will the results be disseminated, which repositories, etc.?• Data Management Plan• Plans for Exploitation of results and intellectual property
• Think how, what form of protection, when? • IPR Helpdesk for MSCA Fact Sheet
2.4 Quality of the proposed measures to communicate the activities to different target audiencesDetail the project’s plans for communication of research findingsDoes the project have communication and public engagement strategy? – hint, they probably should! Who are the appropriate audiences for these activities?What are the appropriate means for these activities?Communicating EU R&I Guidance for Project Participants
ITN Evaluation Criteria - Impact
Open Access Obligations in Horizon 2020Obligation to provide open access when publishing and to research data (pilot and opt-out available)
GRANT AGREEMENTART. 29
(pag. 242)
Open Access Obligations in Horizon 2020
Open Access Obligations in Horizon 2020
Step 1 – Deposit • In a machine reabable format• Published Version (content, not layout)• Upon Acceptance/On Publication- as soon as
possible• This is always requested – even if you
publish in an Open Access Journal
Step 2 – Provide Open Access• Gold is via publisher AND repository, green is
just via reopsitory• In case of Gold, Open access must be on
publication• In case of Green, within a 6 month embargo
(12 months for SSH). If publisher requires a longer embargo is not compliant.
Step 3 – Open Access to Metadata
• Must ensure open access to bibliographic metadata that identify the publication.
• Grant Number, action name and acronym, plus the terms European Union (EU) and Horizon 2020 or Euroatom.
• Also need a “persistent identifier” – a stable digital object which identifies the publication and links to an authoritative version (DOI)
Step 4 – Deposit the Research Data
• Deposit the research data necessary to validate the results of the publication
• Ideally in a data repository• Part of the Open Data Pilot – (Unless have
opted out)
Annotated Model Grant Agreement
6.2.D3(pag. 84)
Cost of Open Access
Art. 29.2(pag. 246)
Costs need to be incurred before the end of the project
Open Access Obligations in Horizon 2020
• Data Sharing by default• Opt Out at an stage if;
Also involves the generation of a Data Management Plan (DMP) – to be a deliverable in the first 6 months of the project.
Open Access Obligations in Horizon 2020 Access to Data and Data Management
AMGAART. 29.3pag. 248
“As Open as Possible, as Closed as Necessary”
Participation incompatible with
obligation to protect
Participation incompatible with
security obligations
Participation incompatible with
rules on protection of personal data
Participation would mean
projects main aims might not
be achieved
Project will not generate/collect
any data
There are other legitimate
reasons to not take part
Open Access Obligations in Horizon 2020Access to Data and Data Management
Eligible Costs;- Data Curation- Data Storage
- Data Management- Data Steward
ART.29.3pag. 249
Costs for Open Data
Data Stewardship – Who is managing this?
https://ds-wizard.org/
Data Management Plan
“The coolest things to do with your data will be thought of by someone else” R.Pollock
Organisation• Naming
• Versioning• Personal Data• Ensure Data
Integrity
Legal Aspects
Long Term Preservation
Metadata
Backup andStorage
Ensure FAIR DataFindable
AccessibleInteroperable
Reusable
Demonstrate Plans for Open Data
Resources and Responsibilitie
s
OpenUP Hub
Describes itself as an; “Open, dynamic and collaborative knowledge environment”
Intended to capture, organise, and categorise research outcomes, tools, best practice and guidelines, under the 3 topics above.
ITN Evaluation Criteria - Implementation 3.1 Overall coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources• Clear, Concise, Achievable Work Packages
• Research, Management, Training, Dissemination and Communication• List of major deliverables (including awarding of doctoral degrees
where applicable)• List major milestones – table 3.1c• Fellows individual projects – table 3.1d• (incl. awarding of the doctoral degrees for EID and EJD)
3.2 Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures, including quality management and risk management (with a mandatory joint governing structure for EID and EJD)• Explain who will be responsible for what and when will they do it:
• Network organisation and management structure/supervisory board• Joint governing structure (mandatory for EID and EJD projects)• Admission, selection, supervision, monitoring and assessment procedures
(Joint for EID/EJD)• Risk management at consortium level• IPR, Gender, Open Access, Data Management etc.
Remember –No Gantt Chart!
ITN Evaluation Criteria - Implementation 3.3 Appropriateness of the infrastructure of the participating organisations• Demonstrate tasks for each participating organisation and appropriateness• Involvement of HR or Finance support in institutions?• Narrative to complement factual info in B2 Section 5• What do the organisations have to offer:
• Laboratories/Office Space, Technical expertise, Workshops, Other facilities• Refer to the European Charter for Researchers and institutional endorsement • ‘HR Strategy for Research (HRS4R)’ award - demonstrates competance for
recruiting and hosting
3.4 Competences, experience and complementarity of participating organisations and their commitment to the programme• Demonstrate complementarity across the network in terms of compatability
and coherence between tasks• Explain the level of commitment of the organisations involved – particularly
non-academic sector• If ‘Third Countries’ not automatically eligible for funding are requesting
support, the reasons for this should be detailed here• Info on Partner Organisations should be consistent with letter of commitment
• Operational capacity of the organisations– Use tables in Section 5 of Part B2 to present factual information – don’t repeat this in B1– Profile of key staff, description of key infrastructure or technical equipment, – Partner organisations contributing towards the proposed work– Different information for Beneficiary and Partner
• Ethics Issues– Self-assessment in Part A and strategy in Section 6 of Part B– Outside the 10-page limit – provide detailed strategy – Crucial for all research domains need to identify any potential ethical issues and describe
they will be addressed– If no ethical issues identified explain how you came to this decision– All proposals considered for funding subject to Ethics Review– Read the Ethics Self-Assessment Guidelines
• Letters of Commitment– From Partner Organisations - On headed paper and signed with individual with appropriate
authority – template now available (Annex 6a)– EJD – Mandatory letters from beneficiaries detailing commitment to award appropriate degrees
signed by someone with appropriate authority – template available (Annex 6b)
Key Considerations for B2
Evaluator CommentsTo read in your own time….
Strengths• The state of the art, the overview of the action as well as the objectives are clearly formulated and well-
balanced between scientific and training and mobility.
• The research programme is clearly articulated, coherent and relevant regarding the field.
• The individual research projects are sufficiently analysed and in line with the research objectives.
• Qualifications and supervision experience of the supervisors are well evident.
• All participants have established strong synergies in the field.
• The partners interact in actively. The roles of the non-academic partners are well-integrated.
Evaluation Quotes - Excellence
Weaknesses• Innovative aspects of the training are not clearly justified.
• The interaction between academic and non-academic partners is not fully explored.
• Gender aspects of the research approach are not convincingly demonstrated. The information provided regarding gender issues does not refer to clear provisions translated into concrete measures.
• The allotted time for some of the activities, e.g. the conference, is not sufficiently considered.
• The opportunities to pursue research careers at high profile universities and in well-established private enterprises are not sufficiently elaborated.
Evaluation Quotes - Impact
Weaknesses• The impact of the programme on the fellows’ careers beyond the research field is not guaranteed.
• The relevance of complementary skills to enhance careers of the fellows is insufficiently discussed.
• The measures for dissemination of results have been described; however the dissemination plans are not quantified and no innovative activities are included. The focus on disseminating results within the small membrane scientific community is not clearly justified.
• Outreach activities towards general public described, but relevance is not clearly discussed.
Strengths• The potential for meaningful contribution of the non-academic sector is high and credible.
• The dissemination strategy is concrete and appropriate and offers a practical plan on how to share data resources and results of the project with different target groups like partners, specialists and a general audience.
• The communication and public engagement strategy are clearly described, using different platforms and taking advantage of special events like the European Researcher’s Night, which ensure a broad audience.
• The communication plans include a good number of actions towards the industrial sector.
• Relevant outcomes for the economy and society are adequately outlined.
• Long-lasting collaboration between sectors after the end of the project are foreseen.
Evaluation Quotes - Implementation
Weaknesses• The procedure for awarding doctoral degrees is not clearly presented.
• The complementarity of the partners is not sufficiently demonstrated.
• Key research facilities, infrastructure and equipment of both beneficiaries are insufficiently detailed
• The timing in the work plan is not convincing
• The management structure is not fully clear. It contains few bodies and relies to a large extent on individuals instead of boards/committees. The structure supporting this is not clearly explained.
• The scientific milestones and their means of verification are not sufficiently defined.
Strengths• The listed work packages are well defined with clear deliverables and milestones.
• The individual ESR projects are well structured with well argued and realistic objectives, expected results, secondments. The secondments are coherent with the objectives.
• The basic principles of the management of the project are clearly formulated: shared responsibility, joint ownership of data and good communication. The management structure is clear and well structured with a Supervisory Board that guarantee an adequate balance between scientific and technological training. The management plan offers a realistic problem-solving mechanism in the event of disputes between partners with the creation of an External Advisory Committee.
• The progress monitoring mechanisms and evaluation of individual projects are clearly presented.
Avoid the Pitfalls
Insight from the NCPCommon questions and issues
Top ITN Questions
Proposal Development
• Training the next generation of researchers • Institutions need to be clear on the what they have to offer• Make sure all partners are fully integrated and necessity is
clear• Clear expectations – level of involvement, financial
contributions• Partner letters should be requested early• Remember ALL beneficiaries have management/indirect costs• Be explicit and offer concrete examples• Sustainability of the collaboration• Think about management structure• Level of Ambition – needs to be ambitious, but realistic
ITN -Insights from an NCP
Implementation
• Ensure communications between EU offices, HR, finance, payroll etc.• Employment contracts must meet the requirements set in the GA• Institution/supervisor give continuous support during the fellowship• Make sure all beneficiaries understand the ESR eligibility criteria • Ensure all advertisements are sufficient to enable visa entry options• Be transparent regarding taxes, exchange rate, IP ownership etc.• Be clear on use of research, training and networking costs• Remember the Fellows are employees • Be clear on ownership of small equipment such as laptops• Have contingences incase of issues between ESR and supervisor• Clarity of PhD length (beyond 36 months) and funding for extra time• Ensure ESRs understand obligations to programme and to
individual institution
ITN -Insights from an NCP
• Excite the Reader!• Make the relevance clear • Explain process and novelty• Highlight impact
~ Why your project? Why now?• Used to Allocate Evaluators (with Key Words)
Overall presentation is key!• Use tables, colours, graphs and schematic representations of concepts &
information you want them to see and understand (this takes time…)• Check consistency across the whole proposal• Avoid repetition, highlight key information
Final Proposal Advice
Don’t Forget the Abstract!
Get Colleagues to review proposal
Research Past
Successful Projects
Final Thoughts
Read all Call documentation
Leave Enough
Time
Understand Goals and
Expectations of Beneficiaries
Consider relevant EU
policy documents
Fully appreciate
the evaluation
criteria
Be Kind to the
Evaluators
Meet your
Partners
Create a ‘perfect’ project, ready for implementation
ITN is not only a research project – training-through-research!
Put yourself in the shoes of the evaluators – make their life easy…
The Guide for Applicants –don’t let it out of your sight!
Key Messages
• EU MSCA website http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/index_en.htm• Funding and Tenders Portal - https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/msca-itn-2020• The Charter and the Code - http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/rights/index• Euraxess Mobility Portal - http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess• IPR Help Desk - www.iprhelpdesk.eu• HR Excellence in Research’ award -
http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/rights/strategy4ResearcherOrgs• Innovation Union - http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/index_en.cfm• Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers -
http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/rights/codeOfConduct• European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity -
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/other/hi/h2020-ethics_code-of-conduct_en.pdf
• Ethics in Horizon 2020 http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/cross-cutting-issues/ethics_en.htm
• Marie Curie Guidance for Outreach (For FP7, but still useful) http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/documents/documentation/publications/guidelines_en.pdf
Useful Links
Thank You!
Questions?