Http:// Marie Curie Individual Actions UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap [email protected] [email protected]

http://www.ukro.ac.uk

Marie Curie Individual Actions

UK NCP for Marie CurieCecilie HansenNicholas [email protected]

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Economic and Social Research Council

Medical Research Council

Natural Environment Research Council

Arts and Humanities Research CouncilU

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Marie Curie NCP - helpdesk

• Web, email, telephone, visits• Advice on applying for MC actions:

• Eligibility• Application help• Results• Contractual issues

• Advice to those with MC contracts:• Social security and tax• Model agreements between host and fellow• Contractual issues

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Session overview

• Policy background and description of actions

• Financial issues

• Submission and evaluation of proposals

• Hints and tips for proposal writing

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Framework Programme 7

UK NCP for Marie CurieCecilie HansenNicholas Harrap

[email protected]

Policy Background

• FP7 is designed to achieve the Lisbon and Barcelona objectives and to complement activities in Member States.

• Support to the European Research Area • Budget of €50 521 million

• Complementarity with other EC programmes:

• Competitiveness and Innovation• Education and Training• Structural Funds

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EU-27Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria , Cyprus, Czech Republic,Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK

Associated Countries (FP7)Albania, Croatia, Iceland*, Israel*, Liechtenstein*, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia*, Norway*, Serbia,Switzerland, Turkey Bosnia Herzegovina (in the process of associating to FP7) *except Euratom

Main FP7 CountriesF

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ICPCsF

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FP7 Specific Programmes

Co-operation – Collaborative Research

European Research Council

Marie Curie Actions

Capacities – Research Capacity

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Objectives and Policy Context:

• Make Europe more attractive to researchers• Structuring effect on the European Research Area

through transnational and intersectoral mobility in order 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

• Trans-national and inter-sectoral mobility• €4.7 Billion

Marie Curie Actions F

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Principles

• Skills and competence development at all stages of researchers career

• Open to all research areas addressed under the Treaty plus possibility of targeted calls

• Strong participation from enterprises• Reinforce international dimension• Appropriate gender and work/life balance• Good working environment, transparent

recruitment and career development

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Overview of Marie Curie ActionsP

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Host Actions Individual Actions

Initial Training Networks

Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways

NEW - International Research Staff Exchange Scheme

Intra- European Fellowships

International Incoming Fellowships

International Outgoing Fellowships

European Reintegration Grants

International Reintegration Grants

Also funded: Researcher’s Night, CO-FUND

MCA - Deadlines

Industry-Academia Partnerships & Pathways (IAPP)

25 March 2008

NEW - International Research Staff Exchange Scheme

28 March 2008

European Reintegration Grants (ERG)

International Reintegration Grants (IRG)

3 April and 8 October

Intra- European Fellowships (IEF)

International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)

International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)

19 August 2008

Initial Training Networks (ITN) 2 September 2008

One stage proposal

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Central to all MC projects

The RESEARCHER, their training and mobility

In order to assess eligibility (for project or fellowship), it is essential that you consider the following:

• The minimum or maximum amount of research experience stipulated for the action

• The transnational mobility requirements for the action

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Individual Actions

• Researcher applies jointly with host• Length of stay depending on Action• Reintegration Phase

• Mandatory for International Outgoing Fellowships• Optional for International Incoming Fellows (if the fellow

is from an international co-operation partner country (ICPC))

• Fellow who withdraws cannot be replaced

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Definition of researchers

Early-Stage Researchers 0 - 4 years (FTE)

from obtaining degree that qualified them to embark on a doctorate

Experienced Researchers i) in possession of a PhD

or

i) at least 4 years experience (FTE)

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Transnational Mobility Requirements• Must not have been resident in host country for more

that 12 months in the last 3 years immediately before application deadline (for individual actions)

• Cannot be a national of host country unless

• European researcher working outside EU for 3 of the last 4 years

• Dual nationality and have not resided in a country of nationality for the last 5 years

• International organisation

• Return and reintegration grants

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Individual Fellowships

• Aimed at ‘Experienced Researchers’

• Skills diversification

• Three categories:• Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)• International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)• International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)

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Intra-European Fellowships

• EU Member or Associated State National or Third Country national if in EU for at least 4 of the last 5 years (assimilated national)

• 12 – 24 months in a different EU Member State or Associated Country

• Resuming a career in research• Individual applies with host• Attaining or strengthening professional

independence• Skills diversification

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International Outgoing FellowshipsF

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• EU Member or Associated State Nationals only• 24 – 36 months in total of which 12 -24 months

in third country followed by mandatory reintegration phase in European host institutions

• Individual applies with host• Acquiring new knowledge in the third country

– bringing it back to the EU/AS • Contract is between European host institution

and Commission for duration of fellowship • Mandatory return phase of 1 year

International Incoming Fellowships

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• Third Country nationals only• 12 – 24 months incoming phase in EU/AS• Possible 1 year reintegration for nationals

from ICPC• Individual applies with host• Contract between European host institution

and EC for incoming phase, and between third country host and EC for reintegration / return

• Knowledge-sharing • Mutually-beneficial research co-operation

European Re-integration GrantsF

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• (Re)-integration into research career following a period of transnational mobility

• Applicants must have already benefited from a Marie Curie fellowship under FP6 or FP7 - 18 months minimum FTE

• The European Re-integration Grant:• Supports a research project of 2- 3 years• Contributes to the research costs • Researcher applies with host institution • Start within 12 months of your fellowship end

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• Integration into research career in Europe following a period of transnational mobility outside Europe for at least 3 years

• Contribute to development of lasting co-operation with scientific community of the third country from which they have returned

• No requirement to have benefited from MCA previously

• The International Re-integration Grants• Support a research project of 2- 4 years

• Contributes to the research costs

• Researcher applies with host institution

• Host commits to researcher for at least 3 years

• Exceptionally those already employed in research in EU will be considered

International Re-integration Grants


Financial Issues


[email protected]

Community Contribution

• Benefits for the researchers • Living allowance• Mobility allowance• Travel allowance• Career exploratory allowance

• Benefits for the institution• Contribution to research costs• Contribution to management costs• Other eligible costs possible • Indirect costs (overheads)

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Researcher Salaries for ITNs

Experience Stipend(€/yr)

Employment contract (€/yr)

Early-Stage researchers 17,250 34,500

Experienced researchers

26,500 53,000

Experienced researchers (more than 10 years experience)

39,750 79,500

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Salaries are inclusive of all compulsory deductionsCorrection factor applied for cost of living (UK Coefficient 109.2%)

Individual fellow allowances

• Mobility allowance Without family: €500 per monthWith family: €800 per month Correction factor applied for cost of living

• Travel costs – depending on distance€ 250 - €2500

• Career Exploratory allowance€ 2000 for stays of more than one year

• Training / research costs of eligible researchers • Lab-based research: € 800 per month• Non-lab-based research: €500 per month

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Benefits for the institution

• Management Activities

maximum 3% of the total EC contribution

• Contribution to overheads 10% of direct costs except for subcontractors

• Other types of eligible expensesERG:

Fixed amount € 15000 per researcher per year

IRG:

Fixed amount € 25000 per researcher per year

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Contribution to the researcher – example

Activities carried out by the researcher:Researcher with family, going from Bucharest to Paris

for two years with an Intra-European Fellowships:• Living Allowance: 53 000 * 2yrs = € 106 000• Mobility Allowance: 800 * 24 months = € 19 200Correction factor = 104.4 % 125 200 * 104.4% = €

130 709 • Career exploratory allowance: € 2000• Travel costs: 1000 * 2 yrs = € 2000 Total contribution to the researcher = € 134 709• Research costs (Lab-based) 800 * 24 = € 19 200

Total community contribution € 153 709 (+ overheads + mgt)

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Submission and Evaluation


[email protected]

Proposal Submission

• All submission done onlineContact the EC if there are compelling reasons for why

you are unable to submit online

• Electronic Proposal Submission Service (EPSS) • Is available

• Meet the deadline!

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Outline of the Process

Call fichePublished

Proposal submitted

Evaluation Process Notification

Ofresults

Contract negotiation

Contract signature

ProjectStart

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Eligibility

Individual Evaluation

Consensus

Thresholds

Ranking by Commission

Negotiation

NegativeResult

Ethical Issues

CommissionFunding Decision

Proposal

Rejection

Rejection

Rejection

Evaluation ProcessM

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Your project is mainly defined in ….

…PART B of the proposal forms(Part A is administrative

info)

• PART B addresses the evaluation criteria• …which vary according to MCA• …and have different weightings and thresholds

• General structure of Part B for individual fellowships is:• Cover Page, Table of Contents• S & T Quality • Training/Transfer of Knowledge • Researcher• Implementation • ImpactF

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Evaluation of proposals

• Evaluation by competent experts in the field

• Need to address all of the issues to maximise scores

• Total score is 100%

• Overall threshold (70%)

• Some criteria have a threshold

• Each area is weighted

• Science counts for 25%

• You must focus on the objectives of the activity to be successful

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European Charter and Code

• European Charter for Researchers addresses:• Roles and responsibilities• Entitlements • of researchers and their employers or funding

organisations.

• Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers aims to:• improve recruitment and make selection procedures

fairer and more transparent• proposes different means of judging merit

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Maximising Your Chances of Success - Individual Fellowships


[email protected]

What does the Commission want?

A project that matches “their”

objectives

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Individual Fellowships – Part B

Other issues

Training & knowledge transfer 15%

S & T Quality 25%

Researcher 25%

Implementation

15% Impact 20%

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3/5

3/5 No thresholds for IIF

No threshold

No threshold

4/5

Overall threshold 70%

MCA – S&T Quality

Sub-criteria

3/5 25%

• Scientific/technological quality, incl any interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary aspects of the proposal • Research methodology • Originality & innovative nature of project, and relationship to ‘state of the art’ • Timeliness and relevance of project • Host scientific expertise in the field• Quality of the group / supervisors

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MCA – Training – IEF/IOF

Sub-criteria

3/5 15%

• Clarity and quality of the research training objectives for the researcher • Relevance & quality of the additional scientific training & complementary skills offered • Host expertise in training experienced researchers in the field & capacity to provide mentoring / tutoring

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MCA – Transfer of Knowledge - IIF

Sub-criteria

3/5 15%

No threshold for IIFs

• Potential of transferring knowledge to European host and/or bringing knowledge to Europe•Clarity and quality of the transfer of knowledge objectives

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IEF/IIF/IOF Tips– Training (1)

Positive feedback:• Clear assignment of scientists responsible for

the training• Contemplates training courses specifically

designed for postdoctoral fellows• Research training objectives are clearly

identified and described• Both participants will benefit from their mutual

collaboration, not only through direct joint work, but also through the interaction with the whole research group

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IEF/IIF/IOF Tips – Training (2)

Negative Feedback • A research project with no training element• The host asserts skills without presenting

convincing evidence of competence • The range of techniques described would

clearly be valuable to the researcher, but the lack of detailed description does not inspire confidence in the quality of training available.

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MCA – Researcher

Sub-criteria

4/5 25%

• Research experience• Results including patents/publications/teaching• Independent thinking & leadership qualities • Match between the fellow’s profile and research • Potential to acquire new knowledge• IEFs: Potential for reaching a position of professional maturity

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IEF/IIF/IOF Tips - Researcher

• Work experience (in research)• Industrial experience and expertise• Transferable skills• Prizes, Awards, Lectures etc• Research potential• Independent thinking and leadership qualities• Match between fellow’s profile and project • Cross and multi-disciplinary experience

Give evidence of statements • Referee assessment

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Positive Feedback:• Clear evidence of research experience and potential• Clear evidence of leadership qualities• Potential to acquire new knowledge is high • Good references• Clear list of Prizes, Awards, Lectures, etc

Negative Feedback: • CV lacks data on record• Limited experience as has only been at one University• Limited experience or technical skills related to

project• References were similar and from one institution

IEF/IIF/IOF Tips - Researcher

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MCA – Implementation

Sub-criteria

No threshold 15%

• Quality of infrastructure / facilities & international collaborations of host• Practical arrangements for implementation & management of scientific projects • Feasibility & credibility of project, including work plan• Practical & administrative arrangements & support for hosting fellow

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IEF/IIF/IOF Tips - Implementation

• Does the host institution have the infrastructure required for the project – and will the researcher have access to it?

• Have you thought about how the project will be implemented in practice?

• What support is the host providing for the fellow? (e.g. resources for helping the fellow settle in; access to language courses)

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MCA – Impact

Sub-criteria

No threshold 20%

• Potential of acquiring competences during fellowships to improve prospects of reaching and / or reinforcing a position of professional maturity, diversity & independence, in particular through exposure to complementary skills training • Contribution to the career development, or re-establishment where relevant •Contribution to European excellence and European Competitiveness

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IEF/IIF/IOF – Impact

• For international fellowships : potential for creating long term collaborations and mutually beneficial co-operation between Europe and the third country

• For incoming fellowships : contribution to the socio-economic development of the Developing Countries or emerging and transition economies by transfer of knowledge and human capacity building (where appropriate)

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Marie Curie ActionsIndividual Fellowships – IEF/IOF/IIF

• Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) – Aug 2007• 1699 proposals received• Success rate: 25%

• International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) – Aug 2007• 341 proposals received• Success rate: 29.3%

• International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) – Aug 2007• 573 proposals received• Success rate: 23%

• Overall Success Rate • The budget was distributed among the evaluation panel in direct

proportion to the number of eligible proposals. • However, the exact number of proposals funded will depend on

the outcome of negotiations, the available budget and the completion of formal procedures.

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Reintegration Grants – Part B

Other issuesS & T Quality 30%

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3/5

3/5 No thresholds for ERG

No threshold

Researcher 30%

Implementation 20%

Impact 20%

No threshold

Overall threshold 70%


Hints & Tips


[email protected]

Approaching your project proposal writing

• Work with your supervisor

• Keep the Guide for Applicants in front of you

• Treat the criteria as examination questions

• Think about the way your write• Brainstorm each section• Then focus on a section at a time

• Plan your proposal writing

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Approaching your project proposal writing

• It will feel repetitive – addressing issues from different angles

• Stick to the page limit• Think about your evaluators

• Clearly address the main objectives• Use clear and concise language• Explain country specific jargon• Provide them with the evidence they need

• Find colleagues to read it through

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General points on a good proposal – FP6 experience

• Meet the deadline• Characteristics of success / failure

• 90%+ well detailed, excellent and clear training programme and great science of clear EU wide benefit and potential in a new area

• 80-90% good project, lacking some detail on training, evaluating output and perhaps clashes with existing programmes

• 70-80% Some obvious omissions, consortium design needs adjusting, some science issues not addressed, concerns over transfer of knowledge

• 60 - 70% Serious omissions, lack of detail, poor management plans, no milestones

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Any questions?

Overview of Marie Curie Actions F

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Further Information

UKRO NCP website:

http://www.ukro.ac.uk/mariecurie/index.htm

Queries on the schemes:[email protected]

Tel: +32 2 230 0318; Fax +32 2 230 4803

Other useful websites:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/home_en.html

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Documents

Http:// Marie Curie Individual Actions UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap [email protected] [email protected]