Marie Curie Individual Actions in FP7

1
Marie Curie
Individual Fellowships (IEF, IOF, IIF) and
Reintegration Grants (RG) Dr Dagmar Meyer Marie
Curie National Contact Point
Dublin City University, 22nd April 2009
www.iua.ie
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Outline of the presentation

• Marie Curie Actions
• Individual actions in FP7
• Other opportunities within the Marie Curie
  programme
• Hints for the proposal preparation
• Evaluation criteria
• Things to keep in mind

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Overview of the Marie Curie Actions
Initial training of researchers Marie Curie
Initial Training Networks (ITN)
Life-long training and career development Marie
Curie Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) European
Reintegration Grants (ERG) Co-funding of
regional/national/international programmes
(COFUND)
Industry-academia pathways and partnerships MC
Industry-Academia Pathways and Partnerships
Scheme (IAPP)
International dimension MC International Outgoing
and Incoming Fellowships (IOF / IIF) MC
International Reintegration Grants
(IRG) International Research Staff Exchange
Scheme (IRSES)
Specific actions Researchers Night (NIGHT),
other specific actions
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Individual Fellowships and Grants

• Life-long Training and Career Development
• Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development
  (IEF)
• European Reintegration Grants (ERG)
• International Dimension
• International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)
• International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)
• International Reintegration Grants (IRG)
• Next deadline / cut-off date
• Fellowships 18 August 2009
• Reintegration Grants 8 October 2009

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General principles

• Focus is on the researchers career development
  (exception IIF transfer of knowledge to European
  host institution)
• Open to all disciplines from Natural Sciences
  to Social Sciences and Humanities
• Bottom-up no pre-defined topics or priority
  areas
• Free choice of host institution from public or
  private sector
• No age limits what counts is level of
  experience
• Provisions for appropriate work/life balance
  (split stays, maternity/parental leave etc.)

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Basic definitions individual actions

• Intra-European/International Fellowships and
  Reintegration Grants are individual actions
• Individual researcher applies jointly with host
  institution
• Duration at least 1 year for fellowships, 2 years
  for reintegration grants
• Grant agreement between Commission and host
  institution, for fellowships then work contract
  (or stipend agreement) between host and fellow
• Fellowship/grant bound to individual (no
  replacement)

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Basic definitions level of experience

• Experienced Researcher (ER)
• either in possession of a doctoral degree
• or at least 4 years of research experience
  (full-time equivalent) since degree qualifying
  them to embark on a doctorate
• All Marie Curie Individual Actions are for
  Experienced Researchers only! Relevant date is
  deadline for submission of proposals.

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Basic definitions MS/AC/TC

• 27 Member States (MS)
• 12 Associated Countries (AC)
• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Israel,
  Switzerland, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Serbia,
  Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Third Countries (TC)
• More than 140 International Cooperation Partner
  Countries (ICPC)
• Other Third Countries (OTC)

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Basic definitions host institutions

• Organisations that are actively involved in
  research
• universities/Institutes of Technology
• private and public research institutes
• companies big and small
• international Organisations (CERN, UNESCO, )
• the European Commissions Joint Research Centre
• NGOs
• etc.

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Basic definitions mobility requirements
(fellowships)

• Fellow has not been resident in the host country
  for more than 12 months within the last 3 years
• There are no nationality restrictions anymore
  in particular, researchers who have been outside
  their country of nationality for a number of
  years (so they fulfil the mobility requirement)
  can apply for a fellowship in their native
  country.
• Benefit of the mobility to the European Research
  Area is now an evaluation criterion.

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Intra-European Fellowships

• For the career development and competence
  diversification of experienced researchers (with
  or without PhD, from post-doc to senior
  researcher)
• Open to researchers of any nationality who are
  based in a MS/AC.
• Any topic, any host institution in a MS/AC (could
  be a company!)
• Mobility from one MS/AC to another MS/AC is a
  must.
• Duration 1 2 years

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International Outgoing Fellowships

• To reinforce the international dimension of the
  career of experienced researchers who are
  nationals of a MS/AC based in a MS/AC
• Two phases (fellowship covers both phases)
• Outgoing phase (1 2 years) for training and
  career development in any Third Country
  institution
• Mandatory return phase (1 year) in a MS/AC for
  reintegration and knowledge transfer
• Grant agreement is with the return host
  (responsible for return of the fellow)
• Mobility from a MS/AC to a TC is a must.

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International Incoming Fellowships

• To reinforce scientific excellence of MS/AC by
  attracting top-class experienced researchers of
  any nationality based in a Third Country
• Enhance possibility for future collaborations
• One or two phases
• incoming phase (1 2 years) in any MS/AC
  (fellowship)
• optional return phase in country of origin (max 1
  year) if researcher returns to an ICPC country
  (15,000/year towards reintegration costs)
• Grant agreement with European and return host
• Mobility from a TC to a MS/AC is a must

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European Reintegration Grants

• Following a Marie Curie fellowship of at least 18
  months duration (could be a host fellowship, but
  IOF is excluded) application up to 6 months
  after end of initial fellowship
• For ERs of any nationality.
• Grants provide support to the longer-term
  (re-)integration in any MS/AC institution
• contribution to the research and/or salary costs
  during 2 3 years (15,000/year)
• host institution must provide adequate work
  contract for at least the duration of the project
• mobility not mandatory

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International Reintegration Grants

• For ERs from MS/AC who have spent at least three
  years outside MS/AC and not more than 12 months
  within last three years in MS/AC
• Grants provide support to the longer-term
  (re-)integration in any MS/AC institution
• Contribution to the research and/or salary costs
  during 2 4 years (25,000/year)
• Host institution must provide evidence that
  researcher gets effectively reintegrated
• Researcher should normally not yet have returned
  to research in MS/AC (exceptions in well
  justified cases)

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Work-life balance

• Split stays are possible
• should be integrated and justified in original
  work plan
• Temporary suspension (for personal, family or
  professional reasons) can be requested later if
  unforeseen at time of grant agreement
• always granted in case of maternity/parental
  leave (augmentation of Community contribution
  only if payments mandatory under national law)
• In principle, fellowships are on a full-time
  basis
• exceptionally, part-time work and corresponding
  extension can be granted in case of personal or
  family reasons (total Community contribution will
  not be augmented)

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Success rates in first Marie Curie calls in FP7

• Intra-European Fellowships 2007 25.3 2008
  26.6
• Internatl. Outgoing Fellowships 2007 30 2008
  24.9
• Internatl. Incoming Fellowships 2007 23.3
  2008 21.2
• European Reintegration Grants
• First cut-off 2007 93.5, second cut-off 2007
  93.6
• First cut-off 2008 88.9, second cut-off 2008
  88.9
• International Reintegration Grants
• First cut-off 2007 89.8, second cut-off 2007
  43.1
• First cut-off 2008 50.8, second cut-off 2008
  48.1
• IRG and ERG have a joint budget now success
  rates for both actions should become similar.

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Allowances to the researchers (fellowships)

• Living allowance (including all mandatory
  deductions) basic rate submitted to
  country-specific coefficient (IE113.3,
  UK109.2, FR104.4, DE101.5, ES 95.5, EL90.1,
  ,US103.1, CA92.7, MX 74.4)

• Mobility allowance (500/800 monthly, depending
  on family situation at deadline country
  coefficient applies)
• Travel allowance (250 - 2500 every 12 months,
  depending on distance)
• Career exploratory allowance (2,000 once, only
  for IEF)

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Contribution managed by the host institution
(fellowships)

• Participation expenses of researchers managed
  by host institution to cover research and
  training activities of fellows (conference
  attendance, training actions, research costs,
  membership in professional associations, etc.)
• 500 per fellow-month for non-laboratory based
  projects
• 800 per fellow-month for laboratory based
  projects
• does not apply to reintegration grants and return
  phase of IIF

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Contributions to the host institutions
(fellowships)

• Management activities and overheads
• no separate budget lines anymore but one combined
  fixed-amount contribution
• fixed-amount of EUR 700 per researcher-month to
  which the country correction factor is applied
  (total amount cannot exceed 20 of the total
  direct costs excluding sub-contracting)

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Indicative timetable for Individual Fellowships
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Indicative timetable for Reintegration Grants
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More information

• Official website of the FP7 People (Marie
  Curie) programme on CORDIS
• (information on calls, work programme, guide for
  applicants, etc.)
• http//cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/

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Opportunities from FP6
Many projects from FP6 are still running
Transfer of Knowledge,
Research Training Networks, Early Stage
Training, Excellence Teams, For vacancies
visit http//mc-opportunities.cordis.lu
or http//ec.europa.eu/euraxess
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COFUNDed programmes

• Funding organisations from across Europe have
  applied for cofunding of their schemes by Marie
  Curie COFUND action
• Three Irish fellowships programmes have been
  selected, one by IRCSET, one by HRB, and one by
  NBIPI.
• NBIPI currently has an open call deadline on 3
  June 2009. For details see http//research1.rcsi
  .ie/BIP/Career_Enhancement_Mobility_Programme_(CEM
  P)
• For other COFUNDed opportunities see
  http//cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/cofund_en.html

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Key contacts

• IUA Marie Curie Office National Contact Point
• Dr. Dagmar Meyer (dagmar.meyer_at_iua.ie)
• Dr. Conor OCarroll (conor.ocarroll_at_iua.ie)
• mariecurie_at_iua.ie
• 01 676 4948
• Enterprise Ireland National Contact Point
• Focus on Industry - Bill Kee
• bill.kee_at_enterprise-ireland.com
• 01 727 2277

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Proposal preparation

• Hints for the proposal preparation
• Evaluation process and criteria
• Things to keep in mind when writing your proposal

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Proposal preparation first steps

• Download all the necessary documentation
• Do your homework background reading! (Rules of
  the programme but also some policy background)
• Establish contacts with your chosen host
  institution / supervisor well ahead of time
  (financial support (travel grants) for
  preparatory meetings etc. available from
  Enterprise Ireland)
• Jointly develop a realistic research and training
  / transfer of knowledge project
• Arrange for up to three referees assessments

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Submission procedure

• Only electronic submission using EPSS (Electronic
  Proposal Submission Service)
• Proposal has two parts
• Part A administrative information about
  proposal, applicant and host institution
  (prepared forms)
• Part B free text covering a number of predefined
  aspects of the project, limited number of pages
  (prescribed font size and margins), limited size
  of pdf-file
• Deadline is STRICTLY enforced

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Evaluation criteria basic principles

• Evaluation according to criteria provided in the
  Guide for Applicants
• Different criteria carry different weights
• Thresholds for some evaluation criteria
• Overall threshold is 70
• All issues need to be addressed! Competition is
  fierce dont waste your chances.
• Always keep in mind the objectives of the
  activity!

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Evaluation process

• All proposals undergo initial eligibility check
• Evaluation by at least three experts from an
  international pool (not all experts are exactly
  from your field of speciality!!)
• Proposals that miss a threshold are rejected
  remaining proposals are ranked within each panel
• All applicants receive evaluation summary report
  (very useful for re-submission!!)
• Distribution of funding to different panels in
  proportion to proposals submitted (fellowships)
• Reserve lists in case of late withdrawal etc.

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Individual Fellowships Part B

• Evaluation criteria and thresholds
  (overall threshold 70)

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Individual fellowships ST Quality

• Scientific/technological quality, including any
  interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary aspects
  of the proposal
• Research methodology
• Originality and innovative nature of project, and
  relationship to the state of the art of
  research
• Timeliness and relevance of project
• Host scientific expertise in the field
• Quality of the group/supervisors
• Weight 25, Threshold 3/5

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Individual fellowships Training (IEF IOF)

• Clarity and quality of the research training
  objectives for the researcher
• Relevance and quality of additional scientific
  training as well as of complementary skills
  offered
• Host expertise in training experienced
  researchers in the field and capacity to provide
  mentoring / tutoring
• Weight 15, Threshold 3/5

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Individual fellowships Transfer of Knowledge
(IIF)

• Potential of transferring knowledge to European
  host and/or bring knowledge to Europe
• Clarity and quality of the transfer of knowledge
  objectives
• Weight 15, Threshold none

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Individual fellowships Researcher (IEF IOF)

• Research experience
• Results including patents/publications/teaching
  etc. taking into account the level of experience
• Independent thinking and leadership qualities
• Match between the fellows profile and project
• Potential for reaching a position of professional
  maturity
• Potential to acquire new knowledge
• Weight 25, Threshold 4/5

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Individual fellowships Researcher (IIF)

• Research experience
• Results including patents/publications/teaching
  etc.
• Independent thinking and leadership qualities,
  and capacity to transfer knowledge
• Match between the fellows profile and project
• Weight 25, Threshold 4/5

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Individual fellowships Implementation

• Quality of infrastructure/facilities and
  international collaborations of host
• Practical arrangements for the implementation and
  management of the scientific project
• Feasibility and credibility of the project,
  including work plan
• Practical and administrative arrangements, and
  support for the hosting of the fellow
• Weight 15, Threshold none

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Individual fellowships Impact (IEF IOF)

• Potential of acquiring competences during
  fellowship to improve the prospects of reaching
  and/or reinforcing a position of professional
  maturity, diversity and independence, in
  particular through exposure to complementary
  skills training
• Contribution to the career development, or
  re-establishment, where
  relevant
• Contribution to European excellence and
  competitiveness
• Benefit of the mobility to the European Research
  Area
• IOF Potential for creating long-term
  collaborations and mutually beneficial
  co-operation between Europe and the third country
• Weight 20, Threshold none

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Individual fellowships Impact (IIF)

• Potential for creating long-term collaborations
  and mutually beneficial co-operation between
  Europe and the third country
• Contribution to European excellence and
  competitiveness
• Contribution to the socio-economic development of
  the Developing Countries or emerging and
  transition economies by transfer of knowledge and
  human capacity building (where relevant)
• Benefit of the mobility to the European Research
  Area
• Weight 20, Threshold none

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Reintegration Grants Part B

• Evaluation criteria and thresholds
  (overall threshold 70)

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Reintegration Grants ST Quality

• Scientific/technological quality, including any
  interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary aspects
  of the proposal
• Research methodology
• Originality and innovative nature of project, and
  relationship to the state of the art of
  research in the field
• Timeliness and relevance of project
• Weight 30, Threshold 3/5

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Reintegration Grants Researcher

• Research experience
• Scientific and technological quality of previous
  research (for ERG during the Marie Curie
  Fellowship)
• Independent thinking and leadership qualities
• Match between the fellows profile and project
• IRG Benefit to the career of the researcher from
  the period of reintegration
• Weight 30, Threshold 3/5 (only for IRG)

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Reintegration Grants Implementation

• Quality of host organisation, including adequacy
  of infrastructure/facilities
• Feasibility and credibility of the project,
  including work plan
• Practical arrangements for the implementation and
  management of the project
• Weight 20, Threshold none

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Reintegration Grants Impact (ERG)

• Benefit to the career of the researcher from the
  period of reintegration
• Capacity to develop lasting cooperation with
  previous country of the Marie Curie Fellowship
  (if relevant)
• Potential of transferring knowledge to host
• Potential and quality of lasting professional
  integration (expected length of work contract,
  expected career development)
• Weight 20, Threshold none

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Reintegration Grants Impact (IRG)

• Potential of transferring knowledge to host
• Capacity to develop lasting cooper. with 3rd
  country
• Contribution to scientific excellence by
  attracting a 1st class researcher in exceptl.
  case where res. has already gained employment in
  Europe, significant improvement in career
  prospects
• Contribution to Europ. excellence
  competitiveness
• Potential and quality of lasting professional
  integration (expected length of work contract,
  expected career development)
• Weight 20, Threshold none

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Hints for a successful proposal (I)

• Work closely with your chosen supervisor /
  scientist in charge this is a JOINT application
• Follow the guide for applicants and address all
  issues mentioned in the explanatory notes
• Plan your writing - focus on one section at a
  time, but keep the overall picture in mind
• Dont be repetitive the same issue may appear
  in various sections, but from different
  perspectives, so dont simply cut-and-paste!
• Be concise and observe the page limit

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Hints for a successful proposal (II)

• Stick to the structure suggested in the guide for
  applicants keep the evaluators happy!
• The evaluators may not all be world experts in
  exactly the area of your proposal avoid using
  very specific jargon and acronyms
• Provide the evaluators with evidence for your
  claims, but avoid external resources (no links to
  websites etc.)
• Graphics and charts can be very helpful, but
  dont overdo it! Make sure they are readable in
  black white.

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Hints for a successful proposal (III)

• Get a colleague to read through your proposal and
  do a mock evaluation
• If in doubt, ask your National Contact Point for
  clarification!
• If you want to avail of our pre-submission
  proposal check, allow enough time for feedback.
• Regularly upload preliminary versions of your
  proposal, and dont forget to hit submit!
• Keep the deadline - 5pm Brussels time means 4pm
  Irish time!!

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EI support for FP7 applicants travel grants

• Enterprise Ireland travel support
• for researchers in higher education / publicly
  funded institutions
• for researchers in Ireland to go abroad and meet
  potential partners or attend EU information
  days/workshops relating to FP7
• covers least-cost travel plus subsistence rates
  up to 150 per day (typical length of visits
  three days)
• for details see the Irish FP7 portal at
  http//www.fp7ireland.com/Page.aspx?SP225

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And finally.

• Good luck!!!