Page 1 Marie Curie Schemes Science is not the whole story! (How to write a successful Marie Curie RTN Proposal) Siobhan Harkin

Page 2 Marie Curie Schemes History of Fellowships

Page 3 Marie Curie Schemes Human Resources and Mobility in FP6

Page 4 Marie Curie Schemes Do’s and Don’ts Read the Guide for Proposers (application form!) Follow the instructions to the letter! Use the Handbooks Use common sense! Electronic submission – don’t!!!! Marie Curie

Page 5 Marie Curie Schemes What is a Research Training Network (RTN)? A Research Training Network consists of a consortium of research teams located in different countries that propose a common research project to serve as a vehicle for providing training and, where necessary, transfer-of-knowledge.

Page 6 Marie Curie Schemes Well-defined collaborative research projects of recognised international stature Minimum 3 partners in 3 Countries (expected to be more) Flexible framework for the Training and Development of Researchers Appropriate mix of Early Stage and Experienced researchers Promotion of multidisciplinary research Up to 3 year fellowships, including short stays Marie Curie Research Training Networks

Page 7 Marie Curie Schemes B1SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE PROJECT –B1.1. Research topic (one A4 page) –B1.2. Project objectives (three A4 pages) –B1.3. Scientific originality of the project (two A4 pages) –B1.4. Research method (two A4 pages) –B1.5. Work plan (two A4 pages, plus tables and charts) B2TRAINING AND/OR TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE ACTIVITIES –B2.1. Content and quality of the training and transfer of knowledge programme (three A4 pages) –B2.2 Impact of the training and/or transfer of knowledge programme (two A4 pages) –B2.3. Planned recruitment of early-stage and experienced researchers (one A4 page + table) B3QUALITY/CAPACITY OF THE NETWORK PARTNERSHIP –B3.1. Collective expertise of the network teams (one A4 page per network team) –B3.2. Intensity and quality of networking (one A4 page) –B3.3. Relevance of Partnership Composition (one A4 page) B4.MANAGEMENT AND FEASIBILITY –B4.1. Proposed management and organisational structure (two A4 pages) –B4.2. Management know-how and experience of network co-ordinator (one A4 page) –B4.3. Management know-how and experience of network teams (½ A4 page per network team) B5.RELEVENCE TO THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTIVITY (TWO A4 PAGES) B6.ADDED VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY (TWO A4 PAGES) B7.INDICATIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (ONE A4 PAGE, PLUS TABLE) B8.PREVIOUS PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS B9.OTHER ISSUES (TWO A4 PAGES) RTN - Proposal Structure

Page 8 Marie Curie Schemes Individual evaluation of proposals –Each proposal is evaluated against the applicable criteria independently by at least four experts who filled in individual evaluation forms giving marks and providing comments. Consensus –For each proposal a consensus report is prepared. The report faithfully reflects the views of the independent experts. Panel evaluation –A panel discussion is convened to examine and compare the consensus reports and marks in a given area, to review the proposals with respect to each other and, in specific cases (e.g. equal scores) to make recommendations on a priority order and/or on possible clustering or merging of proposals. Marie Curie – Evaluation of Proposals

Page 9 Marie Curie Schemes Scoring There is a total of six sections (B1-B6) that are each scored 0-5 A weighting factor is then applied Total score for a proposal is 100% For RTN’s the science score represents only 30% of total!!!! –15% for the “WHAT?” –15% for the “WHO?” Sections (B1, B2, B4) require a minimum score (threshold) There is a total minimum threshold of 70% Need to address all of the issues to maximise scores You must focus on the objectives of the activity to be successful Look carefully at the score matrix Marie Curie – Evaluation of Proposals

Page 10 Marie Curie SchemesRTN ActivityResearch Training Networks W=Weighting (1) T= Threshold W (%)T (/5) Scientific Quality of the Proposal / Project 153 Training Activities / Transfer of Knowledge 204 Quality of the Host/ network partnership 15- Management and Feasibility 153 Relevance to the objectives of the specific activity 20- Added value to the Community 15- Notes: All activities will be subject to a threshold in the total score of 70% (1) W = Weighting expressed as a percentage, T = Threshold score out of 5

Page 11 Marie Curie SchemesRTN ActivityResearch Training Networks W=Weighting (1) T= Threshold WContent Content of the Proposal / Project 15 Training Activities / Transfer of Knowledge 20 Quality of the Host 15 Management and Feasibility 15 Relevance to the objectives of the specific activity 20 “Describe the extent to which the overall capacity to train / achieve transfer of knowledge will be increased by the network. If relevant, describe the potential for the project to overcome fragmentation in the particular area of the networks’ research” Added value to the Community 15 “Co-ordination or synergy with regional, national or international activities or programmes in research, training or areas such as higher education should be presented”

Page 12 Marie Curie Schemes Total of 326 proposals evaluated by 344 experts –109 were below threshold = 33%! –Almost all of these missed the training threshold (4/5) –50% of those under Training threshold had total >70% 41 on the funded list = 13% success (compared to 36% in FP%)! Irish success rate the highest at 16% (8 funded) Average size of funded RTN 11 partners with budget of €3.3m and about 450 researcher months RTN – First Round Results

Page 13 Marie Curie Schemes RTN – First Round Results

Page 14 Marie Curie Schemes Type of actions covered by the callDead-line for reception of proposals Research Training Networks3 April November 03 Early Stage Training Fellowships2 April February 04 Conferences and Training Courses1 April April 04 Transfer of Knowledge fellowships22 May May 04 Intra-European Fellowships12 March February 04 International Incoming Fellowships21 May February 04 International Outgoing Fellowships21 May February 04 Excellence Grants (Teams)20 May May 04 Chairs20 May January 04 Excellence Awards20 May May 04 European Re-Integration Grantsfrom 15 April 03 to October 04 International Re-integration Grantsfrom 15 April 03 to October 04 FP6: Roadmap Single call published on 17 December This roadmap and indeed the schemes and budgets covers first 2 years of FP6. The period will be reviewed by the Commission in 2004

Page 15 Marie Curie Schemes FP6: Budget Budget breakdown for There is a total of €636m over the first two years (includes €6.5 for coordination actions). This will be reviewed in 2003 and revised depending on take up in the various elements of the programme Type of actions covered by the callBudget ( ) €m % of Total Research Training Networks115 (April & Dec)18% Early Stage Training Fellowships13020% Conferences and Training Courses203% Transfer of Knowledge fellowships8513% Intra-European Fellowships11017% International Incoming Fellowships203% International Outgoing Fellowships284% Excellence Grants (Teams)559% Chairs102% Excellence Awards0.50% European Re-Integration Grants396% International Re-integration Grants173%

Page 16 Marie Curie Schemes Read the documents carefully Follow the guidelines Remember that science is not the whole story Ensure the training programme is the best Ensure you send the proposal so that it will arrive by the deadline Don’t trust the couriers!