Marie Curie Individual Schemes – Fellowships and Reintegration Grants Workshop at University of Limerick, 5 June 2008 Dr. Dagmar M. Meyer Marie Curie National Contact Point

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation2 Outline of the presentation Marie Curie Actions –Individual actions in FP7 –Other opportunities within the Marie Curie programme (FP6 projects, COFUND scheme) Hints for the proposal preparation –Evaluation criteria –Things to keep in mind

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation3 Part 1 Marie Curie Actions –Intra-European and International Outgoing / Incoming Fellowships (IEF, IOF & IIF) –European and International Reintegration Grants (ERG & IRG) –Other opportunities within the Marie Curie programme (vacancies in FP6 projects, COFUND scheme)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation4 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation5 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation6 People Programme in FP7 (2007 – 2013) FP7 overall budget € 48bn People (Marie Curie) Programme € 4.727bn –On average € 675m per year (in FP6: € 425m) –Ireland’s success in FP6: € 59m = ~30% of FP6 total for a programme of 9% of total budget European Research Council € 7.5bn

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation7 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation8 Budget breakdown for 2008 Calls on 2008 budget, total € m : * ITNs: plus € 145 m (?) from the 2009 budget

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation9 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: 19 August 2008 –Reintegration Grants: 8 October 2008

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation10 General principles Focus is on the researcher’s 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.)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation11 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)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation12 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.

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation13 Basic definitions: MS/AC/TC 27 Member States (MS) 11 Associated Countries (AC) –Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Israel, Switzerland, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Albania, Montenegro Third Countries (TC) –More than 140 International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC) –Other Third Countries (OTC)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation14 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 Commission’s Joint Research Centre –NGO’s –Etc.

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation15 Basic definitions: mobility requirements (fellowships) 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation16 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 nationals” Any topic, any host institution in a MS/AC (could be a company!) Transnational mobility is a must Duration 1 – 2 years

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation17 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 Grant agreement is with the return host (responsible for return of the fellow) Transnational mobility is a must

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation18 International Incoming Fellowships To reinforce scientific excellence of MS/AC by attracting top-class experienced Third Country researchers 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 is a national of an ICPC country (€15,000/year towards research costs) Grant agreement with European and return host Transnational mobility is a must

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation19 European Reintegration Grants Following a Marie Curie fellowship of at least 18 months duration (could be a host fellowship!); application up to 6 months after end of initial fellowship For ERs from MS/AC or “assimilated nationals” 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation20 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)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation21 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)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation22 Success rates in first Marie Curie calls in FP7 Intra-European Fellowships: 25.3% (1701 proposals) International Outgoing Fellowships: 30% (341 proposals) International Incoming Fellowships: 23.3% (571 proposals) European Reintegration Grants: –First cut-off 2007: 93.5% (49 proposals) –Second cut-off 2007: 93.6% (68 proposals) –First cut-off 2008: 67 proposals International Reintegration Grants: –First cut-off 2007: 89.8% (136 proposals) –Second cut-off 2007: 43.1% (180 proposals) –First cut-off 2008: 182 proposals

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation23 Allowances to the researchers (fellowships) Living allowance (including all mandatory deductions) – basic rate submitted to country-specific coefficient (IE:113.3, UK:109.2, FR:104.4, DE:101.5, ES: 95.5, EL:90.1, …,US:100.5, CA:90.6, MX: 70.2) Experience levelEmployment contract (€/year)Stipend (€/year) ER with up to 10 years exp.53,00026,500 ER with >10 years exp.79,50039,750 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)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation24 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-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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation25 Contributions to the host institutions (fellowships) Management activities –max. 3 % of total Community contribution Overheads –10 % of direct costs except subcontracting

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation26 Indicative timetable for Individual Fellowships Publication of call19 March 2008 Submission deadline19 August 2008 Evaluation of proposalsOctober 2008 Evaluation Summary Reports sent to proposal coordinators End of November 2008 Invitation for contract negotiationsDecember 2008 Letter to unsuccessful candidatesFrom December 2008 Signature of first contractsFrom March 2009

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation27 Indicative timetable for Reintegration Grants Publication of call30 November 2007 Next cut-off date8 October 2008 Evaluation of proposalsNovember 2008 Evaluation Summary Reports sent to proposal coordinators December 2008 Invitation for contract negotiationsDecember 2008 Letter to unsuccessful candidatesJanuary 2009 Signature of first contractsFrom March 2009

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation28 More information Official website of the FP7 “People” (Marie Curie) programme on CORDIS (information on calls, work programme, guide for applicants, etc.):

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation29 Opportunities from FP6 Many projects from FP6 are still running: Transfer of Knowledge, Research Training Networks, Early Stage Training, Excellence Teams, … For vacancies visit:

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation30 COFUNDed programmes Funding organisations from across Europe have applied for cofunding of their schemes by Marie Curie COFUND action First information received by Irish proposers very positive, but no definitive results available yet Watch the Irish FP7 portal for news!

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation31 Key contacts IUA Marie Curie Office – National Contact Point Dr. Dagmar Meyer Dr. Conor O’Carroll Enterprise Ireland – National Contact Point Focus on Industry - Bill Kee

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation32 Part 2 Hints for the proposal preparation: –Evaluation process and criteria –Things to keep in mind when writing your proposal

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation33 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 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation34 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation35 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 – don’t waste your chances. Always keep in mind the objectives of the activity!

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation36 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.

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation37 Individual Fellowships – Part B Evaluation criteria and thresholds (overall threshold 70%): criterionweightthreshold S & T Quality25%3/5 Training (IEF/IOF) Transfer of Knowledge (IIF) 15%IEF/IOF: 3/5 IIF: none Researcher25%4/5 Implementation15%none Impact20%none

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation38 Individual fellowships – S&T 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation39 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation40 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation41 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 fellow’s profile and project Potential to acquire new knowledge Potential for reaching a position of professional maturity Weight: 25%, Threshold: 4/5

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation42 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 fellow’s profile and project Weight: 25%, Threshold: 4/5

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation43 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation44 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 IOF: Potential for creating long-term collaborations and mutually beneficial co-operation between Europe and the third country Weight: 20%, Threshold: none

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation45 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation46 Reintegration Grants – Part B Evaluation criteria and thresholds (overall threshold 70%): criterionweightthreshold S & T Quality30%3/5 Researcher30%ERG: none IRG: 3/5 Implementation20%none Impact20%none

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation47 Reintegration Grants – S&T 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation48 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 fellow’s profile and project IRG: Benefit to the career of the researcher from the period of reintegration Weight: 30%, Threshold: 3/5 (only for IRG)

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation49 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation50 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation51 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

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation52 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 Don’t be repetitive – the same issue may appear in various sections, but from different perspectives, so don’t simply cut-and-paste! Be concise and observe the page limit

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation53 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 don’t overdo it! Make sure they are readable in black & white.

Thursday, 5 June 2008An Irish Universities Association Presentation54 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 don’t forget to hit “submit”! Keep the deadline - 5pm Brussels time means 4pm Irish time!!