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

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.

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

Proposal stage The University retains Dr Martin Pickard as a consultant to assist with EC funding proposals. You may contact him directly on 07779 475190 or grantcraft@aol.com 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.

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.

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

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 Bethany.York@nottingham.ac.uk Or telephone 9513667

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

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.

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

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

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

MCA – FP7 €4.7 billion Budget breakdown € Million

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

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)

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

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)

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.

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

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

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 3 - 36 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)

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

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

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 (4 - 10 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%)

Travel costs – depending on distance Mobility allowance Allowance rates 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 (ITNs only) Lab-based research: € 600 per month Non-lab-based research: €300 per month

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

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

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)

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

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 !!

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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

International Outgoing Fellowships EU Member or Associated State Nationals only 24 – 36 months in total of which 12 -24 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

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

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 FP7 - 18 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

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

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)

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%)

Individual fellow allowances 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: € 800 per month Non-lab-based research: €500 per month

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 € 15000 per researcher per year IRG: Fixed amount € 25000 per researcher per year

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

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://europa.eu.int/eracareers/europeancharter/ UK HE Sector analysis: http://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

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

ICPC countries