1. http://www.ukro.ac.uk Marie Curie Initial Training Networks UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk

2. Science and Technology Facilities Council Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Economic and Social Research Council Medical Research Council Natural Environment Research Council Arts and Humanities Research Council UK Research Office

3. UKRO Services include Website: with information on programmes, FAQs &guidance http://www.ukro.ac.ukhttp://www.ukro.ac.uk Information services email updates (& searchable database) Enquiry service Annual visit from an UKRO European Advisor Specialist training courses and information events Annual conference for European officers Meeting room in Brussels Monthly publication - British Council European RTD Insight National Contact Points (Marie Curie and ERC) UK Research Office

4. 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 Contractual issues UK Research Office – MC NCP

5. http://www.ukro.ac.uk Marie Curie General Introduction UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk

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

7. 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, Iceland*, Israel*, Liechtenstein*, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia*, Norway*, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey Bosnia Herzegovina (in the process of associating to FP7) *except Euratom Main FP7 Countries FP7 Countries 7

8. ICPC countries FP7 – International cooperation

9. 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 Marie Curie Actions FP7 – People – Marie Curie

10. 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 – People – Marie Curie

11. Overview of Marie Curie Actions People Specific Programme Host ActionsIndividual Actions Initial Training Networks Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways NEW - International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Intra- European Fellowships International Incoming Fellowships International Outgoing Fellowships European Reintegration Grants International Reintegration Grants Also funded : Researchers Night, CO-FUND

12. MCA - Deadlines Industry-Academia Partnerships & Pathways (IAPP) 25 March 2008 NEW - International Research Staff Exchange Scheme 28 March 2008 European Reintegration Grants (ERG) International Reintegration Grants (IRG) 3 April and 8 October Intra- European Fellowships (IEF) International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) 19 August 2008 Initial Training Networks (ITN)2 September 2008 One stage proposal FP7 – People – Marie Curie

13. Definition of researchers Early-Stage researchers0 - 4 years (FTE) from obtaining degree that qualified them to embark on a doctorate Experienced researchersi)in possession of a PhD or i)at least 4 years experience (FTE) FP7 – Marie Curie Actions

14. Transnational Mobility Requirements Must not have been resident in host country for more that 12 months in the last 3 years immediately before reference date [time of appointment for MCNs, 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 FP7 – People – Marie Curie

15. http://www.ukro.ac.uk Marie Curie Initial Training Networks UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk

16. What is an ITN? FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN An ITN aims to : Strengthen Early Stage Training at EU level Attract people to scientific careers Improve career perspectives by development of broad skills (including needs of industry)

17. What is an ITN? FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN By: Offering a series of 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 As an option, recruit visiting scientists ITNs are in: Defined scientific fields as well as inter-disciplinary, new and emerging supra-disciplinary fields

18. Who can participate in an ITN? FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN At least 3 different research groups from Member or Associated States 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

19. Who participates in an ITN? FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN An ITN has 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

20. Private sector participation Industry = any commercial or socio-economic actors NOT JUST TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES Private sector should be on supervisory board to ensure researchers develop skills to maximise their employment opportunities FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

21. Who can you recruit to an ITN? FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN An ITN supports researchers: With up to 5 years FTE From all over the world For periods of 3 - 36 months (ESRs) For periods of 3 – 24 months (EXRs) As well as visiting scientists (optional) To carry out teaching and supervisory work For a period of at least 1 month

22. The size of an ITN The size of the network should reflect your needs and the aim of the project, but Indicative number of partners (Guide for Applicants): 6 – 10 Average number of partners in 2007: 9 FP6 indicative number of researcher months: EST: 72 – 999 (average 300) (last call) FP7 Call 1, stage 2 submitted proposals: average 539 researchers months 80/20 EST / ER split FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

23. Number of partners per project FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

24. Chemistry9.5 Economic Sciences5.5 Social Sciences9 Life Sciences8.9 Environmental Sciences9 Engineering10.6 Mathematics8 FP7 – Marie Curie - ITNs Av. number of partners per panel

25. ITNs – result of call 1 PANEL Evaluated proposals Evaluated proposals at stg 2 Funded proposals LIF2295119 ENG1833814 PHY1523710 CHE115268 ENV95178 SOC78165 MAT2952 ECO2162 TOTAL90219668 FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

26. http://www.ukro.ac.uk Tips on writing your ITN proposal UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk

27. Your project is mainly defined in …. …PART B of the proposal forms 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

28. Weightings and thresholds for ITNs WeightingThreshold Scientific quality of the project 30%3 Training and/or TOK activities 30%4 Implementation20%3 Impact20%n/a Overall threshold of 70% applies FP7 – Marie Curie – ITNs

29. 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 FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

30. S&T Quality tips (positive) 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

31. S&T Quality Tips (negative) 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

32. Training criteria Quality of the training programme; Consistency with the research programme Complementary 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

33. Training criteria Multi-site proposals: Adequate combination of local specialist training with network-wide training activities Mono-site/twinning 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 FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

34. Training Tips (positive) 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

35. Training Tips (negative) The role of the Supervisory Board should be better defined Reason for the need of 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

36. Quality of training - suggestions 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 etc Any others? FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

37. Implementation criteria Capacities (expertise / human resources / facilities /infrastructure) to achieve the research and adequate task distribution and schedule Appropriateness of industry involvement Adequate exploitation of complementarities and synergies among partners in terms of research and training Non-ICPC participation – essential to the objectives of the research training programme? FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

38. Implementation criteria Appropriateness of the overall management of the training programme (responsibilities, rules for decision-making) Networking and dissemination of best practice among partners. Clarity of the plan for organising training events (workshops, conferences, training courses) Also: consider the clarity of the recruitment strategy Competitive international recruitment Equal opportunities Coherence with Code of conduct for recruitment of researchers FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

39. Implementation tips (positive) The type and frequency of meetings seem appropriate The industrial partners play an essential and active role both in the training and research and 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 FP7 – ITN – Implementation

40. Implementation tips (negative) 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

41. Impact criteria Contribution of the proposed training programme to the career prospects of the fellows Provision to establish longer term collaborations and/or lasting structured training programme between the partners organisations, including between private and academic partners Where appropriate, justification of the training events open to external participants and their integration in the training programme FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

42. Impact criteria Where appropriate, mutual recognition of the training acquired by multi-partner hosts Where applicable, relevance of the role of the visiting scientist with respect to the training programme FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

43. Impact tips (positive) 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

44. Impact tips (negative) 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 impact could have been addressed more thoroughly The lack of training in an industrial context is a major drawback The description of the impact n the scientific community outside the network should be elaborated upon FP7 - Marie Curie – ITN criteria

45. ITNs – key issues 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

46. ITNs – key issues Role of the Visiting Scientists Addressed under training & impact Industrial participation Addressed under all four criteria Conferences and events Addressed under training, implementation, impact Aspects that are assessed under more than one evaluation criteria will count under each of these criteria FP7 – Marie Curie - ITN

47. http://www.ukro.ac.uk Additional information UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk

48. Definition of Fellows Allowances These are all flat rates Living Basic salary Varies according to research experience Mobility Relocation costs including language courses 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 FP7 – Marie Curie - Allowances

49. Researcher Salaries for ITNs ExperienceStipend (/yr) Employment contract (/yr) Early-Stage researchers 17,25034,500 Experienced researchers (< 5yrs) 26,50053,000 Visiting Scientist (4 - 10 yrs experience) 34,45068,900 VS (> 10 yrs experience) 51,675103,350 FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates Salaries are inclusive of all compulsory deductions Correction factor applied for cost of living (UK Coefficient 109.2%)

50. Travel costs – depending on distance 250 - 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: 600 per month Non-lab-based research: 300 per month FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates Allowance rates

51. Benefits for the institution – ITNs 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 FP7 – Marie Curie - Rates

52. http://www.ukro.ac.uk IAPPs and IRSES UK NCP for Marie Curie Cecilie Hansen Nicholas Harrap mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk

53. IAPPs FP7 – Marie Curie - IAPP Partnership – at least one commercial and one non- commercial entity Staff exchange – early stage or experienced researchers (and possibly technical staff and research managers!) for between 2 months and 2 years Recruit experienced researchers 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)

54. 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 between 0 – 12 months Project duration of 24 – 48 months Commission contribution: EUR 1800/researcher/month for EU/AC secondments FP7 – Marie Curie - IRSES

55. 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

56. 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://europa.eu.int/eracareers/europeancharter/http://europa.eu.int/eracareers/europeancharter/ UK HE Sector analysis: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/news/gapanalysis.htmhttp://www.rcuk.ac.uk/news/gapanalysis.htm European Researchers Mobility Portal http://ec.europa.eu/eracareers/index_en.cfm Marie Curie Vacancies http://mc-opportunities.cordis.lu/ Queries mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk FP7 – People – Marie Curie