1. Marie Curie Actions European Research Council (ERC)
Judith Litjens

2. FP7 Overview FP7 Structure Plus JRC and Euratom
Co-operation – collaborative research
Capacities
Health
Research Infrastructures
Food, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Biotechnology (FAFB/KBBE)
Research for the Benefit
Of SMEs
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
FP7 Overview
Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies (NMP)
Regions of Knowledge
Energy
Research Potential
Environment (including Climate Change)
Science in Society
Transport
Activities of International
Co-operation
Socio-Economic Sciences and the Humanities (SESH)
Coherent Development
of Policies
Space
Security
People - Marie Curie
Ideas – European Research Council (ERC)
Individual Fellowships & Reintegration Grants
Starting Independent Researcher Grants
Initial Training Networks
Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways
Advanced Investigator Grants
International Research Staff Exchange Scheme
Supporting Actions
Researcher’s Night

3. Who is eligible for funding?
EU-27
Austria, 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*, FYR Macedonia*, Iceland*, Israel*,
Liechtenstein*, Montenegro*, Norway*, Serbia*, Switzerland,
Turkey*, Bosnia Herzegovina*
*except Euratom
FP7 Overview

4. Country eligibility
Cooperation

5. FP7 – Marie Curie Actions
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
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

6. Overview of Marie Curie Actions
Host Actions
Individual Actions
Initial Training Networks
Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways
International Research Staff Exchange Scheme
Intra- European Fellowships
International Incoming Fellowships
International Outgoing Fellowships
New! Career Integration Grants
People Specific Programme
Also funded: Researcher’s Night, CO-FUND

7. MCA – Deadlines & Budgets
Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways
7/12/2010
€80m
Researchers’ Night
12/01/2011
€4m
Initial Training Networks (ITN)
26/01/2011
€318.41m
COFUND
17/02/2011
€90m
IRSES
17/03/2011
€30m
Career Integration Grants (CIG)
08/03/2011 & 6/09/2011
€40m
Intra- European Fellowships (IEF)
International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)
International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)
11/08/2011
€110m
FP7 – People – Marie Curie

8. FP7 – Marie Curie Actions
Changes in 2011
Career Integration Grants replace the European Reintegration & International Reintegration Grants Schemes
New, simplified cost categories
In ITN, Visiting Researchers to be funded out of programme expenses
Dissemination plans to be taken into account during evaluation
Non-MS/AC Nationals can apply in IOF scheme if in Europe for 5 years before deadline
COFUND – maximum contribution now EUR10m for up to 5 years
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

9. Definition of researchers
Early-Stage Researchers
0 - 4 years (FTE)
from obtaining degree that qualified them to embark on a doctorate
Experienced Researchers
in possession of a PhD or
at least 4 years experience (FTE)
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

10. Transnational Mobility Requirements
Must not have been resident in host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years immediately before application deadline / date of recruitment or secondment
Mobility rule now applies to all individual fellowships – no ERG option to remain in same country under new CIG schemes unless you meet this requirement
Nationality criteria remains only in IOF scheme, in which applicants must either be nationals of a MS/AC or have been residing/carrying out main activity in MS/AC for 5 years before deadline
‘Impact’ sub-criterion for individual fellowships: ‘benefit of the mobility to the ERA’
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

11. FP7 People: Individual Actions

12. Individual Fellowships
Aimed at ‘Experienced Researchers’
Skills diversification and knowledge sharing
Three categories:
Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)
International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)
International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)
Deadline: 11 August 2011
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

13. Intra-European Fellowships
Researchers based in the EU or Associated Country
Must have spent less than 12 months in the last three years in the country where the fellowship is undertaken
12 – 24 months in an EU Member State or Associated Country
Resuming a career in research
Individual applies with host
Attaining or strengthening professional independence
Skills diversification
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

14. International Outgoing Fellowships
EU Member or Associated State Nationals only
PLUS non-nationals in MS/AC for more than 5 years at deadline
24 – 36 months in total of which 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
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

15. International Incoming Fellowships
Researchers based in third countries
12 – 24 months incoming phase in EU/AS
Possible 1 year reintegration grant for nationals from International Co-operation Partner Countries (€15,000)
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
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

16. Individual Fellowships – Part B
Marie Curie – Evaluation Criteria
3/5
S & T Quality %
3/5 No thresholds for IIF
Training & knowledge transfer 15%
Researcher %
4/5
Implementation %
No threshold
Impact %
3.5/5
Overall threshold 70%

17. FP7 – Marie Curie Actions
Career Integration Grants
Supports integration into research career in Europe
To provide those taking up stable post with own research budget
Should enable transfer of knowledge & building of links with country from which researcher has moved
No requirement to have benefited from MCA previously
Must comply with mobility rule
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 duration of project
€ per year flat rate funding
Deadlines: 8 March 2011 and 6 September 2011
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

18. Career Integration Grants– Part B
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions
S & T Quality %
3/5
3/5
Researcher %
Implementation %
No threshold
Impact %
No threshold
Overall threshold 70%

19. FP7 People: Host Actions

20. Marie Curie Initial Training Networks

21. What is an ITN? FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN Aims: ITNs are in:
Offering a series of fellowships to ESR and EXR through a Joint Training Programme including complementary skills modules – focus on development of early-stage researchers
Covers networking costs & the organisation of short training events
As an option, can recruit ‘visiting scientists’
ITNs are in:
Defined scientific fields as well as inter-disciplinary, new and emerging supra-disciplinary fields
FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

22. Who can participate in an ITN?
At least 3 different research groups from Member or Associated States
BUT ALSO it can be single sites (in Member or Associated States) if the international context is strong – role of associated partners key
Third country partners are eligible, in addition to the minimum requirements. International Co-operation Partner Countries (ICPC) may receive funding, whilst those in non-ICPCs may receive funding if absolutely essential for the project
FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

23. Who participates in an ITN?
An ITN has both industrial and academic partners. Industry involvement essential at one of two levels:
As a full partner
Provider of specific training or secondment opportunities
Note: the third-level option of involvement through membership of an advisory board is no longer available
FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

24. Who participates in an ITN?
Private sector partners:
must be organisations gaining the majority of their revenue through competitive means with exposure to commercial markets.
Industry representatives can participate but do not satisfy this criterion
Think broadly about potential private sector partners – end users?
ITN must have Coherent quality standards and mutual recognition of training/ diplomas
FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

25. Who can you recruit to an ITN?
An ITN supports researchers:
With up to 5 years FTE
From all over the world
For periods of months (ESRs)
For periods of up to 24 months (EXRs)
Researchers can be of any nationality but must comply with the mobility rule
FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

26. Weightings and thresholds for ITNs
Scientific quality of the project
30% 3
Training 4
Implementation
20%
Impact
Overall threshold of 70% applies
FP7 – Marie Curie – ITNs

27. Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPPs)

28. What is an Industry–Academia Pathways and Partnership?
It is a two-way partnership with at least one commercial enterprise and one academic organisation in two different Member or Associated Countries
An IAPP aims to increase industry-academia co-operation by:
Supporting the creation, development, reinforcement and execution of strategic partnerships
Creating diverse career possibilities and experience for researchers
Knowledge sharing/cultural exchange, especially SMEs
Aiming for longer term co-operation between both sectors
FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP

29. FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP What can you do with an IAPP?
Staff exchange – early stage or experienced researchers (and possibly technical staff and research managers!) for between 2 months and 2 years (mandatory)
Recruit experienced researchers for between 12 months and 2 years (optional)
Newly recruited experienced researchers must be appointed under employment contracts only
Focus of the scheme is on inter-sectoral mobility
Organise common workshops/conferences
For SMEs, a contribution towards small equipment costs (up to 10% of project total)
FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP

30. FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP Definitions of eligible organisations
Each IAPP must involve at least one university/research centre in the non-commercial sector and at least one entity from the commercial sector. An IAPP project can be co-ordinated by a partner from either of the two sectors
Commercial sector partners:
must be organisations operating on a commercial enterprise, gaining the majority of their revenue through competitive means with exposure to commercial markets.
may include: incubators; start-ups; spin-offs; venture-capital companies; etc.
may range in size from the smallest- micro-companies with research capacity to very large multi-national enterprises
FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP

31. FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP Definitions of eligible organisations
Non-commercial sector partners can include;
National organisations, e.g., universities, public non-commercial research centres
Non-profit or charitable organisations (e.g., NGOs, trusts, etc.)
International European interest organisations (e.g. CERN)
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission
Other international organisations (e.g. WHO, UNESCO, etc.)
FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP

32. IAPPs – Evaluation criteria
FP7 – People – Marie Curie
3/5
S & T Quality %
3/5
Transfer of knowledge %
Researcher N/A
Implementation %
3/5
Impact %
No threshold
Overall threshold 70%

33. International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES)

34. What is the International Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES)?
A scheme aimed at
Strengthening research partnerships through staff exchanges and networking activities
Support to research organisations establish or reinforce long-term research co-operation through a coordinated joint programme of exchange for researchers for short periods
Encourages exchange of best practice
FP7 – Marie Curie - IRSES

35. What is IRSES? FP7 – Marie Curie - IRSES
Two-way staff secondments between institutions in EU/AC and eligible third countries
At least two participants from two different MS/AC and one partner from an eligible third country
Secondment – up to 12 months
Project duration of 24 – 48 months
Commission contribution: EUR 1900/ researcher/month for EU/AC secondments plus EUR 200 per researcher/month long distance allowance (where applicable)
Deadline: 17 March 2011
FP7 – Marie Curie - IRSES

36. Who can participate in IRSES?
Eligible staff include researchers, technical and management staff
Eligible countries: EU Member States and Associated Countries
Countries in the European Neighbourhood Policy: Armenia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestinian-administered areas, Syrian Arab Rep., Tunisia, Ukraine
Countries that have an S&T agreement with the EU: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Egypt, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States
FP7 – Marie Curie - IRSES

37. Financial Issues

38. Cost Category Comparison
FP7 – Marie Curie

39. Paid to fellows Category 1: Living allowance (inclusive of all compulsory deductions)
Experience
Stipend (€/yr)
Employment contract (€/yr)
Early-Stage researchers
19,000
38,000
Experienced researchers (4 – 10 years)
29,250
58,500
Experienced researchers (> 10 yrs experience)
43,750
87,500
FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates
Correction factor applied for cost of living (UK Coefficient = 120.3%)
Category 2: Mobility allowance – now includes old travel/career exploratory allowances
Without family: €700 per month
With family: €1000 per month
Correction factor applied for cost of living

40. Individual fellow allowances
Living allowance (salary)
Correction factor applied
Mobility and travel allowance
Without family: €700 per month
With family: €1000 per month
Training / research costs of eligible researchers
€ 800 per month
Contribution to overheads (benefit to institution)
Fixed amount of €700 per researcher-month. Correction factor applied
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

41. FP7 – Marie Curie Actions
Reintegration Grants
Career Integration Grant:
Fixed amount € 25,000 per researcher per year
“to contribute to the research costs of the researcher at the career integration host”
Can cover:
part of the salary of the research (or other staff working on the project);
equipment, consumables or travel;
and overheads or management costs.
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

42. FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates Allowance rates – ITNs and IAPPs Category 1:
Living allowance (including salary)
Correction factor applied
Category 2:
Mobility allowance
Without family: €700 per month
With family: €1000 per month
Category 3:
Training / research expenses of eligible researchers
€1800 per research per month
*Category 3 also includes costs for the host
FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates

43. Benefits for the institution – ITNs and IAPPs
Category 3:
Contribution to Research/Training/Transfer of Knowledge
€1800 per research per month
*Category 3 also includes costs for the researcher
Category 4:
Management Activities
Maximum 10% of the total EC contribution
Category 5:
Contribution to overheads
10% of direct costs except for subcontractors
Category 6: Applicable to IAPP and participating SMEs only
Other types of eligible expenses (small equipment expenses)
FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates

44. Success rates and
further information

45. Marie Curie Actions Individual Fellowships – IEF/IOF/IIF
FP7 – Marie Curie Results
Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) – Aug 2008
1738 eligible proposals received
Success rate: 26.6%
International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) – Aug 2008
441 proposals received
Success rate: 24.9%
International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) – Aug 2008
661 proposals received
Success rate: 21.2%

46. Marie Curie Actions Individual Fellowships – IEF/IOF/IIF
FP7 – Marie Curie Results
Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) – Aug 2009
2388 eligible proposals received
Success rate: 24.08%
International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) – Aug 2009
590 proposals received
Success rate: 20.33%
International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) – Aug 2009
1040 proposals received
Success rate: 14.8%

47. Marie Curie Actions Individual Fellowships – IEF/IOF/IIF
FP7 – Marie Curie Results
Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) – Aug 2010
2832 eligible proposals received
Success rate: 17.8%
International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) – Aug 2010
730 proposals received
Success rate: 16.44%
International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) – Aug 2010
1160 proposals received
Success rate: 11.8%

48. Reintegration Grants: Success rates
Apr 07
Oct 07
Apr 08
Oct 08
Apr 09
Oct 09
Mar 10
Sep 10
ERG
93%
94%
89%
65%
69%
50%
IRG
83%
43%
51%
48%
64%
66%
68%
Marie Curie – Evaluation Criteria

49. ITNs – results of 2010 call FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN LIF 230 19 8.2%
Evaluated proposals
Funded proposals
Success Rate
LIF
230 19
8.2%
ENG
199 14
7.0%
PHY
126 8
6.3%
CHE
100 7
ENV 95
7.4%
SOC 77 6
7.8%
MAT 18 1
5.6%
ECO 21
4.8%
TOTAL
863 63
FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

50. LECHE: Lactase persistence and the early Cultural History of Europe
This large (15 researcher, 24 participants) European training network explores the origin and impact of dairying Europe. The participating researchers will draw on the latest genetic studies of modern humans and domestic animals to identify markers of specific traits, but will also travel back in time and search for these in ancient remains.
For more information visit:
FP7 – Marie Curie – ITN Example

51. FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP Statistics – IAPPs
2011 call (closed 7 December 2010)
165 eligible proposals received
2009 call (there was no 2010 call)
356 eligible proposals received
Success rate 16,6%
2008 call
141 eligible proposals received
Success rate 36%
FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP

52. FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP Funded Projects (1) Chemistry: FOLDAPPI
Scientific Goal: to investigate potential of foldamers to disrupt protein-protein interactions.
Partners:2 pharmaceutical companies, 2 universities, 4 member states – France, Germany, UK, Belgium
Duration: 4 years
EC contribution: €1.1m
Economics: QUARISMA (Quality & risk management in food chains)
Scientific goal: to stimulate more sustainable development in the European meat sector and mobilise the scientific knowledge necessary for this.
Partners: 2 industry, 2 universities, 2 member states – Germany, Netherlands
EC contribution: €2.3m
FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP

53. Marie Curie Actions National Contact Point Helpdesk
Website
Helpdesk via and telephone
phone
Specialist training courses and information events
UK Research Office – Marie Curie NCP
Advice on applying for Marie Curie actions
Eligibility
Application help
Results
Contractual issues
Advice to those with Marie Curie grants

54. FP7 – Marie Curie Actions
Further Information
UKRO NCP website:
Queries on the schemes:
Tel: ; Fax
Other useful websites:
FP7 – Marie Curie Actions