1. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowships (MSCA-IF)
Dr Sarah Holcroft, Research Development Officer
Research & Impact Services

2. Industrial Leadership
Excellent Science
Industrial Leadership
Societal Challenges
European Research Council (ERC)
Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies (LEIT)
Health and Wellbeing
Food Security
Future & Emerging Technologies (FET)
Transport
Access to Risk Finance
Energy
Maria Skłodowska
-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Climate Action
Innovation in SMEs
Societies
Research Infrastructures
Security
Widening Participation Science with and for Society
Excellent Science 30% of the total H2020 budget
Objective: “to strengthen the excellence of European research”
New research and ideas are drivers of competition
Attract and retain high potential individuals
Fund the most talented and creative researchers
“bottom-up approach” to funding
European institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
EURATOM
Joint Research Centre (JRC)

3. Individual Fellowships (IF)
The aim of the Individual Fellowships is to enhance the potential of experienced researchers wishing to diversify their individual competence in terms of skill acquisition through advanced training, international and inter-sectoral mobility.
Eligibility and projects
Must have PhD or 4 years full-time research experience
Calibre is important – looking for excellence
No age or career stage restrictions
Completely ‘bottom-up’ approach
Basic through to near-to-market
Grant beneficiary is the host institution

4. Individual Fellowships (IF)
European Fellowships (EF)
12-24 months
From any country to Member States (MS)/Associated Countries (AC)
Separate panel options for Career Restart (CAR), Reintegration (RIG) and Society and Enterprise (SE)
Global Fellowships (GF)
12-24 months, plus 12 month return phase
Secondment from Member States (MS)/Associated Countries (AC) to a Non-associated third countries (TC)
Mandatory 12 month return phase in Europe (not subject to the mobility rule).
Mobility rule for CAR, RIG and SE “researcher has not resided or carried out their main activity in the country of their host organisation for more than 3 years in the 5 years immediately prior to the relevant deadline.
“researcher has not been active in research for at least 12 months”
Applicants must have a PhD or 4 years full-time research experience at the deadline

5. Society & Enterprise (EF-SE)
INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIPS
EUROPEAN
GLOBAL
Standard (EF-ST)
Career Restart
(EF-CAR)
Reintegration (EF-RI)
Society & Enterprise (EF-SE) GF
Experienced researchers
Nationality
ANY
MS, AC or long-term residents
Mobility
From ANY country to MS or AC
From TC directly to MS or AC
From ANY country to TC then to MS/AC
Career break -
≥12 mnths prior to call deadline
Participants
Beneficiary
MS or AC
MS or AC Non-academic
Partner organisation
MS or AC optional secondment
TC (outgoing phase)
Duration (Months)
12-24
Standard EF – experienced researcher, mobility rules apply
Career Restart Panel (EF-CAR) – must have taken a career break in research for at least 12 months
Reintegration Panel (EF-RI) – must have move or move from a TC directly to the MS or AC
Society and Enterprise Panel (EF-SE) – multidisciplinary panel, researchers seeking to work on research in the non-academic sector
Cross-sectoral mobility is also encouraged – Beneficiaries (host) can be from the Academic (Universities, Higher Education Institutions, Non-profit research institutions) or Non-Academic sector (includes private enterprises (like SMEs), non-profit or charitable organisations (e.g. NGOs, trusts), museums and hospitals, etc.).

6. How does it work?
Proposals for IFs involve a single host organisation (future beneficiary) established in a MS (Member State) or AC (Associated Country). The project proposals are submitted by the host organisation, which is represented by the supervisor, in liaison with the researcher. Only the supervisor (from the host organisation as future beneficiary) can submit the proposal. It is important to note that the Experienced Researcher (future fellow) and the supervisor must be two different people.
For GF the researcher undertakes mobility to a partner organisation in Third Country, followed by a mandatory return period to a single beneficiary in a MS or AC.

7. What is funded?
The grant provides an allowance to cover the fellows living, travel and family costs. The grant is awarded to the host organisation, usually a university, research centre or company in Europe. The research costs and overheads of the host organisation(s) are also supported.
Fixed funding rates 2016 period
* A country correction coefficient applies to the living allowance, applicable to the country of the beneficiary (list on website)
Researcher unit cost in EUR
person/month
Institutional unit cost in EUR
Living allowance*
Mobility allowance
Family allowance
Research, training
and networking
costs
Management
and indirect
Individual fellowships
€4650
€600
€500
€800
€650

8. Proposal writing

9. Application form Part A – completed on the Participant Portal
Section 1: General information about the proposal (including the abstract);
Section 2: Administrative Data on participants and contacts;
Information on the main supervisor and host institution (Beneficiary)
Information about the supervisor in the Third Country and any partner organisation.
Section 3: Budget;
Requests duration of fellowship to calculate EU contribution
Section 4: Ethics issues table;
Confirm ethical issues (even if there are no issues, you need to confirm this)
Section 5: Information on Partner organisations.
Scientific Areas and Descriptors – 1) Scheme, 2) Chemistry (CHE), Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC), Economic Sciences (ECO), Information Science and Engineering (ENG), Environment and Geosciences (ENV), Life Sciences (LIF), Mathematics (MAT) and Physics (PHY).

10. Part B
This year must be submitted as two separate documents (follow the templates, guidance and evaluation criteria!)
Document 1 – start page, table of contents, participating organisations and sections 1-3 (13 pages)
Excellence
Impact
Implementation
Document 2 – sections 4-7 (see guidance for page limits and structure)
Researcher CV
Capacities of the participating organisations
Ethical Aspects
Letter of Commitment of Partner Organisations (GF only!)
10 pages max

11. What are the evaluators looking for?

12. Excellence (50% of your mark)
State-of-the-art’ for the field – how it relates to the top research in the field, why it is original and how it will move the field forward?
Need to define research objectives. Present methodology clearly (provide sufficient detail) and identify expected outcomes.
Clear training and development plan – both generic and specific training (name specific courses where possible), personalise to your needs
Demonstrate two way transfer of knowledge – be specific!
Quality supervision and mentorship – level of experience, track record (research and supervision)
Capacity of the researcher – track record, demonstrate leadership, independent thinking

13. Impact (30% of the mark)
What new skills will the researcher gain? How will it improve their career prospects?
What is the benefit of working in a different country - Linguistic skills, specialisation, facilities?
How will the host/country/EU benefit from the researchers stay?
Provide details of any lasting collaborations – how will these be maintained?
What are the societal, economic, academic impacts of the research?
Does the project address European policy? Aim to increase knowledge within Europe.
Exploitation and dissemination strategy – identify targets (academics, users, public)? Events – be specific!

14. Implementation (20% of the mark)
Coherent work plan – Gantt chart, clear work package structure with tasks/deliverables and milestones.
Practical arrangements
Appropriate management structure
Risks – What are they? Monitoring and mitigation
Institutional environment – Commitments of the beneficiary, infrastructure, logistics and facilities – why is the proposed host the best place for you and your project?

15. How to Apply?
Closing Date for all applications: 14 September 2016 at 17:00 (UK 4pm)
Decision after max of 5 months after deadline and Signature of Grant Agreement: max of 8 months after deadline
RIS contacts
National Contact Point (UKRO)
Read the Guide for Applicants and FAQ document!
msca/actions/if/index_en.htm
Online application
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