Marie Curie Initial Training Networks UK National Contact Point mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk http://www.ukro.ac.uk

Session overview UKRO and the NCP Policy background and description of actions Financial issues Submission and evaluation of proposals Hints and tips for proposal writing UK Research Office – MC NCP

UK Research Office UK Research Office To promote effective UK engagement in EU research, innovation and higher education activities Based in Brussels, Established in 1984, Staff of 13 Sponsored by the seven UK Research Councils Receives subscriptions from over 140 research organisations Range of services for sponsors and subscribers Research Council policy work Brussels liaison For more information see www.ukro.ac.uk UK Research Office

‘Core’ subscriber services Open to non-subscribers UKRO’s Services ‘Core’ subscriber services Open to non-subscribers Query service (Majority of) training courses and information events Annual briefing visits (for UK subscribers) Annual Conference News updates ims.ukro.ac.uk Marie Curie UK National Contact Point Subscriber website www.ukro.ac.uk/subs European Research Council UK National Contact Point Meeting room in Brussels British Council European RTD Insight publication UK Research Office

Marie Curie NCP - helpdesk Web, email, telephone, visits Advice on applying for MC actions: Eligibility Application help Results Contractual issues Advice to those with MC contracts: Social security and tax Model agreements between host and fellow UK Research Office – MC NCP

Framework Programme 7 and the ‘People’ specific programme UK NCP for Marie Curie mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk http://www.ukro.ac.uk/mariecurie

Policy Background FP7 – Policy Background FP7 is designed to achieve the EU2020 and Barcelona objectives and to complement activities in Member States. Support to the European Research Area Budget of €50 521 million Complementarity with other EC programmes: Competitiveness and Innovation Education and Training Structural Funds FP7 – Policy Background

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*, Faroe Islands*, FYR Macedonia*, Iceland*, Israel*, Liechtenstein*, Montenegro*, Norway*, Serbia*, Switzerland, Turkey*, Bosnia Herzegovina* *except Euratom FP7 Overview

Country eligibility Cooperation

Framework Programme 7 FP7 Specific Programmes Marie Curie Actions Co-operation – Collaborative Research Framework Programme 7 European Research Council Marie Curie Actions Capacities – Research Capacity JRC EURATOM

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

FP7 – Marie Curie Actions Principles Skills and competence development at all stages of researchers career Open to all research areas addressed under the Treaty plus possibility of targeted calls Strong participation from enterprises Reinforce international dimension Appropriate gender and work/life balance Good working environment, transparent recruitment and career development FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

Overview of Marie Curie Actions Actions for Organisations Actions for Individuals Initial Training Networks Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways International Research Staff Exchange Scheme CO-FUND Intra- European Fellowships International Incoming Fellowships International Outgoing Fellowships Career Integration Grants People Specific Programme Also funded: Researcher’s Night

FP7 – People – Marie Curie 2011 Deadlines Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) 20 July 2010 – 7 December 2010 Researchers’ Night 28 September 2010 – 12 January 2011 Initial Training Networks (ITN) 20 July 2010 – 26 January 2011 COFUND 20 October 2010 – 17 February 2011 Career Integration Grants (CIG) 20 October 2010 – 8 March 2011 and 6 September 2011 International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES) 20 October 2010 – 17 March 2011 Intra- European Fellowships (IEF) International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) 16 March 2011 – 11 August 2011 FP7 – People – Marie Curie

ITNs – 2011 call info FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN Publication date: 20 July 2010 Call deadline: 26 January 2011 Indicative budget: €318.41 million Indicative timetable: Results expected 4 months after deadline Grants agreement signature from 9 months after deadline FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

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

Transnational Mobility Requirements Must not have been resident in host country for more that 12 months in the last 3 years date of recruitment or secondment Researchers can return to the country of their nationality if the mobility rule is respected For international organisations the country mobility rule does not apply – BUT the fellow must not have spent more that 12 months in the previous 3 years at the host international organisation. Note – IOF 3rd country nationals have to have spent 5 years before the deadline in Member States or countries associated to FP7 FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

Marie Curie Initial Training Networks UK National Contact Point mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk http://www.ukro.ac.uk

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

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

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 (‘participants’) Provider of specific training or secondment opportunities (‘associated partner’) Guide recommends consortium of 6-10 participants & maximum 500 researcher months Note: the third-level option of involvement through membership of an advisory board is no longer available FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

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 agreed quality standards and mutual recognition of training/ diplomas FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

Who participates in an ITN? Private sector partners: Active involvement in research training programme considered essential; Think about involving them in site visit to academic partners, seminars, workshops as well as secondments; As many fellows as possible should benefit; Level of involvement appropriate to nature of training and subject area FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

Who can you recruit to an ITN? An ITN supports researchers: With up to 5 years experience (inc. doctoral study) From all over the world For periods of 3 - 36 months (ESRs) For periods of up to 24 months (EXRs) Researchers can be seconded to other partners for up to 30% of recruitment Researchers can be of any nationality but must comply with the mobility rule FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

ITNs – key issues FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN Ratio ESR/ER: - ‘The total amount of ESRs and ERs should be reasonable and in line with what is recommended in the Guide for Applicants’ (80/20) Visiting Scientists: - Exceptional and duly justified in the context of the training programme Conferences: ‘should be proportionate to the proposed research training programme’ ‘is an opportunity for the recruiter researchers to exchange knowledge with more experienced researchers from outside the network’. FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

ITNs – result of 2007call FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN PANEL Evaluated proposals Evaluated proposals at stg 2 Funded proposals Success Rate LIF 229 51 19 8.3% ENG 183 38 14 7.6% PHY 152 37 10 6.6% CHE 115 26 8 7% ENV 95 17 8.4% SOC 78 16 5 6.4% MAT 29 2 6.9% ECO 21 6 9.5% TOTAL 902 196 68 7.5% FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

ITNs – results of 2008 call FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN LIF 264 30 11.4% 4 Evaluated proposals Funded proposals Success Rate Reserve list LIF 264 30 11.4% 4 ENG 185 21 PHY 114 11 9.6% 3 CHE 85 8 9.4% ENV 108 10 9.3% SOC 90 11% MAT 19 1 5.3% ECO 4.8% 2 TOTAL 886 92 10.4% 23 FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

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

ITNs – 2010 results overview 63 projects on main list FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN Overall UK Total number of coordinators 857 182 Funded coordinators 63 (7.4%) 13 (7.1%) Total applicants 7725 1104 Funded applicants 574 87 (7.9%)

Examples of a funded ITN proposal http://www.ukro.ac.uk

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: http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/LeCHE/welcome.html FP7 – Marie Curie – ITN Example

CODDE: Coordination for Optimal Decisions in Dynamic Environments Studies the links between sensory input, brain activity and motor output by combining behavioural techniques, brain imaging, movement recording and computational modelling. Provides young scientists with a structured programme to help develop their professional skills and careers. Interdisciplinary techniques include: behavioural method; virtual reality; computational methods; brain imaging; movement recording. For more information visit: http://www.optimaldecisions.org FP7 – Marie Curie – ITN Example

DESIRE: Creative Design for Innovation in Science and Technology Brings together expertise in human computer interaction, psychology, arts and design. Aims to advance understanding of creative design processes applied in the scientific and technological problem solving. This will lead to the elaboration of: theories and models of creative processes; and methods, techniques and systems to support both creative design processes and creativity training. For more information visit: http://www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/~corina/DESIRE/index.html FP7 – Marie Curie – ITN Example

ELDEL: Enhancing Literacy Development in European Languages Overlapping cross-linguistic studies (known as Workpackages 1-6) to reveal the language-specific and language-general factors affecting literacy development. Partners with expertise in developmental, educational and clinical psychology, experimental psycholinguistics, speech and language therapy, and an industrial partner specialising in the creation of software for the assessment and training of literacy skills. There are a total of 7 Partners. For more information visit: http://www.eldel.eu/welcome FP7 – Marie Curie – ITN Example

Financial information http://www.ukro.ac.uk

Cost Category Comparison FP7 – Marie Curie

FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates Allowance rates - ITN 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

Researcher Living Allowance for ITNs Experience Stipend (€/yr) Employment contract (€/yr) Early-Stage researchers 50% of full rate 38,000 Experienced researchers (< 10yrs) 58,500 Experienced Researchers (>10yrs) 87,500 FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates Salaries are inclusive of all compulsory deductions Correction factor applied for cost of living (UK Co-efficient now 120.3%)

Benefits for the institution – ITNs 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: Other types of eligible expenses N/A FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates

Tips on writing your ITN proposal UK National Contact Point mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk http://www.ukro.ac.uk

FP7 Submission and Evaluation Process Overview Call opens One/two stage e-submission Eligibility Check Individual Evaluation FP7 Submission and Evaluation Panel Review/ Consensus Feedback (ESR) Post-evaluation Ranking Report to PC Negotiation of Proposals

MCA – Submission & Evaluations Process timetable Publication of call 20-07-2010 Deadline for submission of proposals 26-01-2011 at 17:00:00, Brussels local time Evaluation of proposals Mid April-2011 Evaluation Summary Reports sent to proposal coordinators ("initial information letter") Mid May-2011 Invitation letter to successful coordinators to launch grant agreement negotiations with REA services July-2011 Letter to unsuccessful applicants From August-2011 Signature of first grant agreements From September-2011 MCA – Submission & Evaluations

Who do I need in my consortium? Depends on topic… Partners must match activities in proposal Appropriate balance of sectors – industry, academia, civil society, user groups, etc Industry considered essential but others could also be important for the topic Consideration of what the purpose of the scheme is RESEARCH TRAINING NOTE – no more than 40% of funding should go to one country EU dimension/ added-value! Building your consortium

Building your consortium What is EU added-value? How does the EU benefit from funding your project and why is it required at the EU level? S&T Expertise from other EU countries Access to data from other countries Different cultural and social perspectives Research/training too costly for one country Implementation Avoid having one partner dominate research/training activities and budget Appropriate geographic spread for that project Impact Improve competitiveness, health and environment of EU Feed into EU-wide policy objectives and their development Decrease fragmentation and duplication Building your consortium

Admin information in…… PART A provides participant details and the information for the budget estimation A1 – Proposal information (abstract, acronym, evaluation panel etc) A2 – Information on host organisation. Coordinator is Participant 1 (not for associated partners) A3 – Not for ITNs A4 – Number of fellows. Includes details for seconded and recruited researchers A5 – details on associated partners including their role in the project FP7 – Marie Curie – Your Proposal

Your project is mainly defined in …. PART B addresses the evaluation criteria …which vary according to MCA …and have different weightings and thresholds General structure of Part B for ITNs and IAPPs is: Cover Page, Table of Contents S & T Quality Training/Transfer of Knowledge Implementation Impact FP7 – Marie Curie – Your Proposal

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

FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria S & T Quality criteria S&T objectives of the research programme, including in terms of inter/multi-disciplinary, intersectoral and/ or newly emerging supra-disciplinary fields Scientific quality of the research programme Appropriateness of research methodology Originality and innovative aspect of the research programme - Knowledge of the state-of-the-art Contribution of the private sector and possible other socio-economic actors FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

S&T Quality – positive feedback Excellent overview of state-of-the-art in this research area Precise and detailed research work plan Scientific quality and originality of the proposal are excellent Research method is appropriate and well described The project is timely and novel A series of well defined and relevant project objectives The multidisciplinary is well demonstrated FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

S&T Quality : negative feedback Interdisciplinary aspect of the project is not very strong Clear references to state-of-the-art and scientific originality are missing The final research outputs and the practical results of the training programme should be more clearly described Role of the industrial partners is not well explained A precise description of the research methodology is missing FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria Training criteria Quality of the training programme; Consistency with the research programme Contribution and relevance of private sector training Transferable skills offered: Management, Communication, IPR, Ethics, Grant writing, Commercial exploitation of results, Research Policy, entrepreneurship, etc. . Importance and timeliness of the training needs (e.g. multidisciplinary, intersectoral , and newly emerging supra-disciplinary fields) FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria Training criteria a) For multi-site proposals: Adequate combination of local specialist training with network-wide training activities b) For mono-site proposals: Adequate exploitation of the international network of the participants for the training programme Appropriateness of the size of the requested training programme with respect to the capacity of the host NEW – Meaningful exposure of each researcher to another sector – particularly secondments FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

Training : positive feedback The training programme is very well structured and is fully consistent with the research programme Local and network wide training will be provided Complementary skills training is well thought of The training topics are well identified and defined The role of the participants are well described and exploitation of the network potential is adequately considered and discussed FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

Training: negative feedback The role of the Supervisory Board should be better defined Reason for the need for Visiting Scientist should be given Description of the training project for each researcher is too vague Average number of ESRs per partner seems exaggerated The role of the associate partners and their participation in the training events should be more clearly defined FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

Quality of training - tips Training in research methods and techniques Personal Development Plan Complementary skills training – ethics, research management Transferable skills training – cf Roberts Graduate School Provision – including RC courses Conferences, seminars, public fora et FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

Implementation criteria Capacities (expertise / human resources / facilities /infrastructure) to achieve the research and adequate task distribution and schedule Adequate exploitation of complementarities and synergies among partners in terms of research and training Private sector involvement at the highest possible level appropriate to the research topic & sufficient evidence of commitment Non-ICPC participation – essential to the objectives of the research training programme? FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

Implementation criteria Networking and dissemination of best practice among partners. Clarity of the plan for organising training events (workshops, conferences, training courses) Appropriateness of the overall management of the training programme (responsibilities, rules for decision-making) Clarity of recruitment strategy (incl timetable) Competitive international recruitment Equal opportunities In light of Charter and Code principles FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

European Charter and Code European Charter for Researchers addresses: Roles and responsibilities Entitlements of researchers and their employers or funding organisations. Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers aims to: improve recruitment and make selection procedures fairer and more transparent proposes different means of judging merit MCA – Submission & Evaluations

“In endorsing the principles, we, the signatories, hereby adopt the principles of the European Charter for Researchers And Code of Practice for the Recruitment of Researchers” UK Concordat - http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk If principles of the revised Concordat are adopted by an institution then they have also adopted the principles of the Charter and Code However, it is an institutional decision to become a signatory to the Charter and Code

Implementation: positive feedback The type and frequency of meetings seem appropriate The industrial partners play an essential and active role both in the training and research aspects of the proposal The recruitment strategy is clearly defined The management structure is clear and appropriate to the proposed project The plan for dissemination of project results is well done

Implementation: negative feedback The industry involvement is poor in comparison to the industrial importance of the project theme and potential results Description of a research PhD theme for each ESR is not provided More details should be provided on the milestones and deliverables within the workplan Limited rules for decision making FP7 – ITN – Implementation

FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria Impact criteria Contribution of the proposed training programme to: Acquisition of skills needed in both the public and private sectors Improvement of career prospects Stimulation of creativity and entrepreneurial thinking Contribution of the training programme to the policy objective of structuring the initial research training capacity at European level (through establishing longer-term collaborations and/or lasting structured training programmes between the partners’ organisations) FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria Impact criteria The contribution of the training programme towards the policy objective of enhancing public-private sector collaborations in terms of research training Where appropriate, mutual recognition by all partners of the training acquired, including training periods in the private sector NEW – outreach activities such as articles in non-specialised press, public talks, workshops for teachers/students, science fairs, etc. FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

Impact: positive feedback Clear impact of the involvement of visiting scientists Good prospects for potential long term collaborations The involvement of industrial partners will be mutually beneficial for the companies and for the ESRs/ERs The project can offer great career opportunities to both ESR and ER involved The training proposed by the network is such that probably no single institution in Europe would be capable of providing it on its own. FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

Impact: negative feedback The proposed impact, as described [in the field of science] is not convincing The number of visiting scientists is too high and not appropriate for the proposed programme The lack of training in an industrial context is a major drawback The description of the impact on the scientific community outside the network should be elaborated upon FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria Impact: tips Think about impact on different levels, e.g. Personal – what will researcher gain beyond that available at single institution? European – address fragmentation, common courses, sustainability of collaboration, including that with private sector Discipline – what is available in single country? Why EU level needed? Why need for trained researchers in area? Others? FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

ITNs – final tips FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN Industrial participation is key Addressed under all four criteria: and has been strengthened with respect to training. Aspects that are assessed under more than one evaluation criteria will count under each of these criteria Evaluation criteria Address thoroughly: make sure you cover each one; do not bury in text Clarity of presentation Present case clearly: use tables, diagrams and summaries where appropriate FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

FP7 Submission and Evaluation Key documents Call Fiche Focus Work Programme Guide for Applicants Preparation and submission EPSS Guide Rules on Submission and Evaluation, Guide for Evaluators Background Model Grant Agreement Financial, negotiation, reporting and IPR guidelines FP7, Specific Programme Text Other policy documents FP7 Submission and Evaluation

Top tips – preparation FP7 - Essentials Clarify your own goals for participation Read all Call documentation (ie, GfA and WP) - Also consider relevant EU policy documents Fully appreciate the evaluation criteria Discuss with and meet potential partners Use appropriate partnership (including balance of budget and activities) Set aside enough time Research previous and current projects Work with your institution FP7 - Essentials

Top tips - application FP7 - Essentials Register in EPSS (Coordinator) Put yourself in the shoes of the evaluator Write clearly and concisely Stick to formatting rules (page limits, font, etc) Include well worked out plans Outline any ‘Plan B’ (risk analysis) Use tables and diagrams where appropriate Ask someone to read through your proposal Make sure final version is submitted! FP7 - Essentials

FP7 – People – Marie Curie Links UK National Contact Point for Marie Curie http://www.ukro.ac.uk/mariecurie CORDIS http://cordis.europa.eu/mariecurie-actions The Charter and the Code http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/rights/index UK HE Sector analysis: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/news/gapanalysis.htm Euraxess Mobility Portal http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess Queries mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk FP7 – People – Marie Curie