Marie Curie Individual Actions in FP7

1
Marie Curie Individual Actions in FP7 Workshop at
Waterford Institute of Technology, 27
June 2007 Dr. Dagmar M. Meyer Marie Curie
National Contact Point
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
www.iua.ie
2
Outline of the workshop

• Part 1
• Policy background key objectives
• General principles and basic definitions
• Description of the schemes and eligibility
  criteria
• Financial aspects
• Essential and useful links and addresses
• Support structures for mobile researchers
• Part 2
• Proposal preparation - first steps
• Submission and evaluation process
• Structure of the proposal and evaluation criteria
• Hints for a successful proposal

3
Policy background

• Human resources a key element of the Lisbon
  Agenda aimed at making Europe the most dynamic
  knowledge based economy in the world, with more
  and better jobs and greater social cohesion
• Need for more and better trained researchers in
  order to create a European Research Area

4
Key objectives of European initiatives

• Increase attractiveness of research careers in
  Europe
• encourage people to become/remain researchers
• encourage people to conduct research in Europe
• Create a European labour market for researchers
• facilitate transnational and intersectoral
  mobility
• create supportive framework conditions
• provide appropriate training for sustainable
  careers
• Complement and strengthen links to national
  systems

5
People Programme in FP7 (2007 2013)

• FP7 overall budget 48bn
• People (Marie Curie) Programme 4.727bn
• 675m per year (in FP6 425m)
• Irelands success in FP6 59m 30 of FP6
  total for a programme of 9 of total budget
• NEW European Research Council 7.5bn

6
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 Cooperation Scheme
Specific actions MC Excellence Awards (AWARDS)
7
Budget breakdown for 2007

• Calls on 2007 budget, total 440m

8
General principles

• Focus is on the researcher and her/his career
  development
• 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 (within certain limits)
• No age limits what counts is level of
  experience
• Provisions for appropriate work/life balance

9
Basic definitions host 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
• contract between Commission and host institution,
  work contract or stipend agreement between host
  and fellow
• fellowship/grant bound to individual (no
  replacement)
• Other actions (e.g. Initial Training Networks)
  are host actions
• consortium of various institutions applies for
  funding
• successful institutions advertise positions and
  select fellows/researchers themselves

10
Basic definitions level of experience

• Early-Stage Researchers (ESR)
• 0 4 years of research experience (full-time
  equivalent) since degree qualifying them to
  embark on a doctorate
• Experienced Researcher (ER)
• either in possession of a doctoral degree, or
• at least 4 years of research experience
  (full-time equivalent)
• All Marie Curie Individual Actions are for
  Experienced Researchers only! Relevant date is
  deadline for submission of proposals.

11
Basic definitions MS/AC/TC

• Member States (MS)
• there are now 27 EU member states
• Associated Countries (AC)
• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Israel,
  Switzerland, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Serbia,
  Turkey, (Montenegro tentatively from mid July
  2007)
• Third Countries (TC)
• more than 140 International Cooperation Partner
  Countries (ICPC)
• other Third Countries (OTC)

12
Basic definitions host institutions

• Organisations that are actively involved in
  research and/or research training
• 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.

13
Basic definitions mobility requirements

• Fellow has not been resident in the host country
  for more than 12 months within the last 3 years
• Fellow does not have the nationality of the host
  country. Special rules in case of
• dual citizenship
• European researcher returning from a third
  country
• third country researcher having resided in Europe
  for a long time
• international organisations as host institutions

14
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 14 August 2007
• Reintegration Grants 17 October 2007

15
Intra-European Fellowships

• For the career development and competence
  diversification of experienced researchers (with
  or without PhD, from post-doc to senior
  researcher)
• Nationals of MS/AC or assimilated (i.e. third
  country researchers having been active in MS/AC
  for at least 3 out of the last 4 years)
• Any topic, any host institution in a MS/AC (could
  be a company!)
• Transnational mobility is a must
• Duration 1 2 years

16
European Reintegration Grants

• Following a Marie Curie fellowship of at least 18
  months duration (could be a host fellowship!)
• Application at the latest 6 months after the end
• For ERs from MS/AC or assimilated nationality
• Support to the longer-term (re-)integration in
  any MS/AC institution different from the initial
  host, including in country of origin or country
  of Marie Curie Fellowship
• 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

17
International Outgoing Fellowships

• To reinforce the international dimension of the
  career of experienced researchers who are
  nationals of 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 distinct legal
  entity in MS/AC for reintegration and knowledge
  transfer
• Contract is with the return host (responsible for
  return of the fellow)
• Mobility is a must

18
International Incoming Fellowships

• To reinforce scientific excellence of MS/AC by
  attracting top-class experienced third country
  researchers (not assimilated to MS/AC nationals)
• Enhance possibility for future collaborations
• One or two phases
• incoming phase (1 2 years) in any MS/AC
  (fellowship)
• optional return phase (1 year) if researcher is
  from an ICPC country (15,000/year towards
  research costs)
• Contracts with European and return host
• Mobility is a must

19
International Reintegration Grants

• For ERs from MS/AC who
• have been active in a third country for at least
  3 years
• have not spent more than 12 months in a MS/AC
  within the last 3 years
• are not employed in research in MS/AC at the
  deadline for submission of proposals
• 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 commit itself to effective
  integration for at least the duration of the
  project

20
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)
• 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)

21
Allowances to the researchers

• Living allowance (including all mandatory
  deductions) basic rate submitted to
  country-specific correction coefficient (Ireland
  113.3)

• Mobility allowance (500/800 monthly, depending
  on family situation at deadline, only if
  transnationally mobile)
• Travel allowance (250 - 2500, depending on
  distance)
• Career exploratory allowance (2,000 once, only
  with fellowships)

22
Contribution managed by the host institution

• 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-months for non-laboratory based
  projects
• 800 per fellow-months for laboratory based
  projects
• does not apply to reintegration grants and return
  phase of IIF

23
Contributions to the host institutions

• Management activities
• max. 3 of total Community contribution
• Overheads
• 10 of direct costs except subcontracting

24
More information on the Marie Curie Actions

• Official website of the FP7 People (Marie
  Curie) programme on CORDIS http//cordis.europa.e
  u/fp7/people/
• information on calls, work programme, guide for
  applicants, etc.
• Marie Curie FP6 website on EUROPA
  http//ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/mariecurie-action
  s/indexhtm_en.html
• lots of background documents, case studies,
  interviews, ...

25
Opportunities from FP6
Many projects from FP6 are still running
Transfer of Knowledge, Early Stage Training,
Excellence Teams, For vacancies visit
http//mc-opportunities.cordis.lu
26
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
• 01 808 2277

27
Support structures for mobile researchers

• European and National Researcher Mobility Portals
• joint initiative of the European Commission and
  countries participating in FP7
• lots of practical information on living and
  working in other European countries, but also
  information on training and jobs
• a one-stop shop for mobile researchers and their
  families

28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)
30
(No Transcript)
31
Support structures for mobile researchers

• ERA-MORE Network of Mobility Centres
• European network of more than 200 centres in 32
  countries
• help-desk and personalised assistance in all
  matters relating to professional and daily life,
  including information on legal issues, social
  security, health and taxes, everyday life as well
  as family support
• service completely free of charge
• available both to incoming and outgoing
  researchers

32
(No Transcript)
33
(No Transcript)
34
(No Transcript)
35
Links to the Mobility Portals

• European Researcher Mobility Portal
• http//europa.eu/eracareers/index_en.cfm
• Irish Researcher Mobility Portal
• http//www.researchcareersireland.com/

36
Proposal preparation first steps

• Establish contacts with your chosen host
  institution / supervisor well ahead of time
  (financial support 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
• Download all the necessary documentation
• Do your homework background reading! (Rules of
  the programme but also some policy background)

37
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

38
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!

39
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
• Reserve lists in case of late withdrawal etc.

40
Indicative timetable for Individual Fellowships
41
Indicative timetable for Reintegration Grants
42
Individual Fellowships Part B

• Evaluation criteria and thresholds
  (overall threshold 70)

43
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

44
Individual fellowships Training (IEF IOF)

• Clarity and quality of the research training
  objectives for the researcher
• Relevance and quality of additional scientific
  training offered, including acquisition of
  complementary skills
• Host expertise in training experienced
  researchers in the field and capacity to provide
  mentoring / tutoring (for OIF outgoing and
  return host)
• Weight 15, Threshold 3/5

45
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

46
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 to acquire new knowledge
• IEF Potential for reaching a position of
  professional maturity
• Weight 25, Threshold 4/5

47
Individual fellowships Researcher (IIF)

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

48
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

49
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
• IEF Contribution to European excellence and
  competitiveness
• IOF Potential for creating long-term
  collaborations and mutually beneficial
  co-operation between Europe and the third country
• Weight 20, Threshold none

50
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)
• Weight 20, Threshold none

51
Reintegration Grants Part B

• Evaluation criteria and thresholds
  (overall threshold 70)

52
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

53
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)

54
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 scientific project
• Weight 20, Threshold none

55
Reintegration Grants Impact (ERG)

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

56
Reintegration Grants Impact (IRG)

• Potential of transferring knowledge to host
• Capacity to develop lasting cooperation with the
  third country
• Contribution to scientific excellence by
  attracting a first class researcher
• Contribution to European excellence and
  competitiveness
• Potential and quality of lasting professional
  integration (expected length of work contract,
  expected career development)
• Weight 20, Threshold none

57
Hints for a successful proposal

• 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

58
Hints for a successful proposal

• 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 (links to
  websites etc.)
• Graphics and charts can be very helpful, but
  dont overdo it! Make sure they are readable in
  black white.

59
Hints for a successful proposal

• 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!!

60
Financial support for proposal preparation

• Enterprise Ireland travel support
• for researchers in higher education / publicly
  funded institutions
• for visits by Irish researchers abroad to meet
  potential partners or attendance at 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)
• during the period of FP7, any one researcher can
  receive up to 3,000 to facilitate multiple
  visits to research partners
• More details and application form
  http//www.enterprise-ireland.com/FP7/FinancialSu
  pport.htm

61
Essential information on Marie Curie Actions

• Official website of the FP7 People (Marie
  Curie) programme on CORDIS http//cordis.europa.e
  u/fp7/people/
• information on calls, work programme, guide for
  applicants, access to EPSS, EPSS guide etc.
• Marie Curie FP6 website on EUROPA
  http//ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/mariecurie-action
  s/indexhtm_en.html
• lots of background documents, case studies,
  interviews, ...

62
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
• 01 808 2277