1. Support for FP7 Marie Curie Training Actions
Contact: Beth York
EU HR & Mobility Administrator Research Innovation Services
nottingham.ac.uk
ext 13667

2. Support available at the University of Nottingham
Under FP6 the University of Nottingham were extremely successful under the Marie Curie Actions. Our success rate was 62% and feedback from PIs currently running FP6 MCAs is that they attract very high calibre fellows. The University would like to continue this record in to FP7 and provides a range of support for PIs and Fellows involved in Marie Curie Actions.

3. Initially…
If you are thinking about applying for an FP7 People programme or would just like to find out more then talk to Beth York in RIS (13667) for background to the Marie Curie Actions and an overview of the funding and opportunities available

4. Proposal stage
The University retains Dr Martin Pickard as a consultant to assist with EC funding proposals. You may contact him directly on or for advice and guidance. He is very knowledgeable and has a wealth of experience in this field so we do encourage you to speak with him.
Please keep RIS informed if you do submit a propsal for advice on budget profiling etc.

5. Contract Negotiation…
Beth York and Jill Harris in RIS will guide you through the process of contract negotiation with assistance from legal experts where necessary.

6. Project Management…
During the lifetime of the project there are many areas with which you may require additional support or advice…
Recruitment
Declarations of Conformity
Eligibility checks
Career Development Plans
Liaison with EC
Support for Fellows
Periodic Reports
Audits
Mid-term reviews

7. Beth York in RIS is available to assist with all project management issues. Timesheets are kept and charges will be allocated to the management budget of your project (at real cost)
Contact
Or telephone

8. Opportunities under FP7 Marie Curie Training Actions
Contact: Beth York
EU HR & Mobility Administrator Research Innovation Services
nottingham.ac.uk
ext 13667

9. What are the Marie Curie Actions about?
Officially the Marie Curie Objectives for FP7 are to:
Make Europe more attractive to researchers
Have a 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
Enable trans-national and inter-sectoral mobility
The budget for the Marie Curie Actions under FP7 is €4.7 Billion which is a 50% year by year increase from FP6.
The Marie Curie Actions will cover all stages of a researcher’s professional life, from initial research training to lifelong learning and career department.

10. The Main Principles of Marie Curie
The Marie Curie Actions are part of the European Commission’s FP7 People Programme which aims to improve the quality of the human potential in European R & D. The main principles (which should be kept in mind when writing a proposal!) are…
Skills and competence development at all stages of researcher’s career
Open to all research areas addressed under the Treaty plus possibility of targeted calls
Strong participation from enterprise
Reinforce international dimension
Appropriate gender and work/life balance
Good working environment, transparent recruitment and career development

11. Overview of Marie Curie Actions
There are 7 different Actions under the Marie Curie heading some applied for as the host and others as individuals…
Host Actions
Individual Actions
Initial Training Networks
Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways
Intra-European Fellowships
International Incoming Fellowships
International Outgoing Fellowships
European Reintegration Grants
International Reintegration Grants
Additional Specific Actions: Marie Curie Awards, Researcher’s Night

12. How does this compare to FP6?
For those of you with any prior experience of the Marie Curie Actions…
FP7
FP6
Directly transferable?
Indirectly transferable?
ITN
Research Training Networks, ESTs
Series of Events Chairs
Lifelong Learning
Intra-European, European Re-integration
Industry-Academia
ToK – Industry-Academia Strategic Partnership
Series of Events
International
Incoming/Outgoing International, International Re-integration

13. MCA – FP7 €4.7 billion Budget breakdown
€ Million

14. MCA - Deadlines Initial Training Networks (ITN)
7 May 2007 Two stage application
Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)
International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)
International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)
Call released 28 February with a closing date of 14 August 2007
European Reintegration Grants (ERG)
International Reintegration Grants (IRG)
25 April & 17 October 2007
Industry-Academia Partnerships & Pathways (IAPP)
Call released 28 February with a closing date of 31 May 2007

15. All Mare Curie projects
Central to all Marie Curie Actions is the RESEARCHER, their training and their mobility. It has been stressed repeatedly that Marie Curie funding is primarily for the benefit of the Researcher and the Researcher’s training and not the actual research.
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)

16. Transnational Mobility Requirements
Must not have been resident in host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years immediately before reference date [time of appointment for ITNs, and IAPP, application deadline for all other 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

17. Host Actions ITNs and IAPPs are Host Actions This means:
Host institutions/network applies for a number of fellows/researchers
Host’s proposal is evaluated
Selected host/network advertises fellowship position and selects fellows/researchers
Contract duration with host, usually 4 years
Fellows’ stay depending on Action (up to 3 years)

18. What is an ITN? An Initial Training Network aims to : By:
Strengthen Early Stage Training at EU level
Attract people to scientific careers
Improve career perspectives by development of broad skills (including needs of industry)
By:
Offering fellowships to ESR and EXR through a Joint Training Programme including complementary skills modules and, as an option, hold short training events open to researchers outside the network
Research topics for ITNs can be chosen freely in defined scientific fields as well as inter-disciplinary, new and emerging supra-disciplinary fields.

19. Who can participate in an ITN?
At least 3 different research groups from Member or Associated States, of which 2 must be Member or Candidate Countries
BUT ALSO it can be single or twin sites (in Member or Associated States) if the international context is strong
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

20. Who participates in an ITN?
An ITN must have both industrial and academic partners. Industry must be in involved at one of three levels:
As a full partner
Provider of specific training or secondment opportunities
On the Advisory Board
An ITN must have
Coherent quality standards and mutual recognition of training/ diplomas

21. 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 2 – 24 months (EXRs)
As well as visiting scientists (optional)
To carry out teaching and supervisory work
For a period of at least 1 month (can be split stay)

22. Community Contribution - ITNs
Includes:
Salary costs (living, mobility, travel and career exploratory allowance)
Contribution to research costs, networking and organisation of conferences
Contribution to management costs
An overhead

23. Definition of Fellow’s Allowances
These are all flat rates
Living
Basic salary on an employment contract
Varies according to research experience
Mobility
Relocation costs
Varies according to family situation
Travel
Every 12 months travel from location of origin to fellowship location
Career exploratory
Fellowships at least 1 year to spend on career development activities

24. Researcher Salaries for ITNs
Experience
Stipend (€/yr)
Employment contract (€/yr)
Early-Stage researchers
16,900
33,800 (£25,183)
Experienced researchers (< 5yrs)
26,000
52,000 (£38,743)
Visiting Scientist ( yrs experience)
33,800
67,600 (£50,366)
VS (> 10 yrs experience)
50,700
101,400 (£75,549)
Salaries are inclusive of all compulsory deductions Correction factor applied for cost of living (UK Coefficient 110.2%)

25. Travel costs – depending on distance Mobility allowance
Allowance rates
Travel costs – depending on distance
€ €2500
Mobility allowance
Without family: €500 per month
With family: €800 per month
Correction factor applied for cost of living
Career Exploratory allowance
€ 2000 for stays of more than one year
Training / research costs of eligible researchers (ITNs only)
Lab-based research: € 600 per month
Non-lab-based research: €300 per month

26. Benefits for the institution - ITN
Research Training
€600 (ITN) per month
Organisation of international conferences etc
€300 per researcher per day for those outside ITN
Management Activities
maximum 7% (ITN) of the total EC contribution
Contribution to overheads
10% of direct costs except for subcontractors
Other types of eligible expenses
N/A

27. 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

28. What can you do with an IAPP?
Recruit experienced researchers for between 2 months and 2 years
Staff exchange – early stage or experienced researchers (and possibly technical staff and research managers!) for between 2 months and 2 years
Organise common workshops/conferences
Inter-sectoral mobility possible, within framework of whole project, in same country up to a maximum of 30% of total researcher months
For SMEs, a contribution towards small equipment costs (up to 10% of project total)

29. Community Contribution
Includes:
Salary costs (living, mobility, travel and career exploratory allowance)
Contribution to research costs, networking and organisation of conferences
Contribution to management costs (3%)
Other eligible costs possible [for SMEs only in IAPPs]
An overhead

30. Proposal Submission All submission is online
Contact the EC if there are compelling reasons for why you are unable to submit online
Electronic Proposal Submission Service (EPPS)
should be available at least a month before the deadline
In the meantime, use the templates in the Guide for Applicants
Two-stage submission for ITNs
Stage 1: 7 May [address 2 criteria]
Stage 2: 25 September [full proposal]
One-stage submission for IAPPs
Deadline likely to be 31 May
!! MEET THE DEADLINE !!

31. Process Overview Call Eligibility Check Individual Evaluation Panel
One/two stage
e-submission
Eligibility
Check
Individual
Evaluation
Panel
Review
Feedback
(ESR)
Commission
Ranking
Negotiation of
Proposals

32. Key documents Call Fiche Focus “People” Work Programme
Guide for Applicants
Preparation & submission
EPSS Guide
Rules on Submission and Evaluation, Guide for Evaluators
Background
Model grant agreement
Financial, negotiation, reporting and IPR guidelines
FP7, “People” Specific Programme Text
Other policy documents e.g. Mobility Strategy, “Charter and Code”

33. Proposal Submission Forms
Part A
Set of forms on administrative information about the proposal and the proposers (pre-prepared form), and general budget information (e.g. number of researchers)
Part B
Free-text description of the research project;
Series of headings and explanatory notes based on the evaluations criteria;
Limits on font size, size of PDF file

34. Who submits?
Technically co-ordinator manages the proposal application by
Obtaining a user-name and password
Co-ordinating completion of A Forms for each participant
Co-ordinating drafting of Part B
Pressing the SUBMIT button!
Prepare application on-line before deadline date

35. 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

36. Individual Fellowships
Aimed at ‘Experienced Researchers’
Skills diversification
Three categories:
Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)
International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)
International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)

37. 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
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

38. International Outgoing Fellowships
EU Member or Associated State Nationals only
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

39. International Incoming Fellowships
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

40. European Re-integration Grants
(Re)-integration into research career following a period of transnational mobility
Applicants must have already benefited from a Marie Curie fellowship under FP6 or FP 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

41. International Re-integration Grants
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
Must not be employed in research in EU at time of application

42. 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)

43. Researcher Salaries Experience Employment contract
Early-Stage researchers
€33,800
Experienced researchers
€52,000
(more than 10 years experience)
€78,000
Salaries are inclusive of all compulsory deductions Correction factor applied for cost of living (UK Coefficient 110.2%)

44. Individual fellow allowances
Travel costs – depending on distance
€ €2500
Mobility allowance
Without family: €500 per month
With family: €800 per month
Correction factor applied for cost of living
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

45. 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 expenses
ERG:
Fixed amount € per researcher per year
IRG:
Fixed amount € per researcher per year

46. FP7 – People – Marie Curie
MCA - Deadlines
Initial Training Networks (ITN)
7 May 2007
two stage application
Intra- European Fellowships (IEF)
Incoming International Fellowships (IIF)
Outgoing International Fellowships (OIF)
Call expected 28 February with a closing date of 14 August 2007
European Reintegration Grants (ERG)
International Reintegration Grants (IRG)
25 April & 17 October 2007
Industry-Academia Partnerships & Pathways (IAPP)
Call expected 28 February with a closing date of 31 May 2007
FP7 – People – Marie Curie

47. FP7 – People – Marie Curie
Links
UK National Contact Point for Marie Curie
CORDIS
The Charter and the Code
UK HE Sector analysis:
European Researchers’ Mobility Portal
Marie Curie Vacancies
Queries
FP7 – People – Marie Curie

48. EU Countries EU-27 Associated Countries (FP6)
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta,
Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, UK
Associated Countries (FP6)
Croatia, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Norway,
Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia

49. ICPC countries