FP6 Marie Curie Information Session Queens University, Belfast 4'4'02

1
FP6 Marie Curie Information Session Queens
University, Belfast 4.4.02

• Estelle Kane
• UK Research Office

2
Overview of session

• UKRO
• Marie Curie Actions in context
• Outline of Marie Curie Actions
• Making the most of your application
• Individual actions
• Host actions

3
What is UKRO?
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council (BBSRC)
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council (EPSRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
(PPARC)
4
UKROs mission
To promote effective UK participation in EU
funded research, higher education training
related activities by alerting subscribers to
the opportunities available providing updates on
developments exchanging information between UK
EU
5
UKRO services

• Web http//www.ukro.ac.uk
• Advice to European Officers researchers
• UK Mobility National Contact Point
• UK Briefing visits
• Brussels Meeting room

6
European Research Area (ERA) Rationale

• Need to bring national initiatives closer
  together, and help them achieve greater coherence
• This is the aim of the ERA project, the reference
  framework for European research since the Lisbon
  European Council in March 2000

7
What is a Framework Programme?

• The principal EU Programme for RTD
• 4 years in duration
• FP5 1999-2002 14.96Bn
• FP6 2002-2005 17.5Bn
• Contract research
• European collaboration
• User driven approach
• Prioritised research areas

8
Programme content
Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for
Health
New/Emerging ST and Policy Support
Information Society Technologies
Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences,
Knowledge-Based Multifunctional Materials
and New Production Processes and Devices
SME Activities
Specific Activities Covering a Wider Field of
Research
Thematic
Aeronautics and Space
Food Quality and Safety
International Co-operation
Sustainable Development, Global Change and
Ecosystems
Citizens and Governance in the Knowledge Society
Science and Society
Innovation and SMEs
Human Resources and Mobility
Research Infrastructures
Horizontal
Co-ordination of Research Activities
Development of RTD/Innovation Policies
Underpinning
9
Participation in the Framework Programme

• EU Member States Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
  Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
  Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
  UK
• EEA CountriesIceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
• Association Agreement Countries Israel,
  Switzerland
• Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
  Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary,
  Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
  Turkey
• Third Countries INCO (Developing, Mediterranean,
  Russia and NIS, Western Balkans), all other
  countries

10
Marie Curie Actions in brief

• Estelle Kane
• UK Research Office

11
What are Marie Curie Actions?

• Human Resources and Mobility Programme
• 1580M
• A series of fellowships to support the
• training and mobility of researchers, within the
  context of promoting excellence in European
  Research
• Aimed at individual researchers, research groups
  and companies

12
Key features

• Open to 3rd country nationals
• No age limit, but experience criterion
• Reintegration and return measures
• Excellence promotion measures
• Life-long learning concept
• Personal/family situation of researchers
• Bottom-up approach

13
Marie Curie programme structure
MC Chairs
Re-integration Grants
Institutional funding
Excellence Grants Awards
Transfer of Knowledge Fellowships
Experienced
Individual funding
Intra-European Fellowships
In/Out International Fellowships
Return funding
Conferences Courses
Excellence funding
PhD (or 4 years)
RTNs
Early Stage Training
Early Stage
14
Individual driven actions

• Researcher applies jointly with host
• Length of stay depending on Action
• Fellows who withdraw cannot be replaced

15
Host driven actions

• Host institutions/network applies for a number of
  fellows/researchers
• Hosts 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)

16
Definition of researchers

• Early Stage
• Starting a research career, i.e. postgrad
• No PhD or lt4 years research after first degree
• Experienced
• PhD or 4 years research experience after first
  degree
• Very experienced
• More than 10 years research experience

17
Transnational mobility requirements

• Must not have been resident in host country for
  more that 12 months in the last 3 years
  immediately before application (Individual
  actions) or start of work (Host actions)
• Cannot be a national of host country unless
• European researcher working outside EU for 4 in
  the last 5 years
• Dual nationality and have not resided there in
  last 5 years
• International organisation
• Return and reintegration grants
• Note that Excellence Team leaders are exempt

18
Marie Curie Funding

• Benefit of the researchers
• Living allowance (by researcher category and
  country)
• Travel costs
• Mobility allowance
• Career development allowance
• Costs of eligible researchers
• Benefit of the host organisations
• Contribution to programme expenses (organisation,
  co-ordination...)
• Overheads
• Management costs (incl. audit certificate)
• Other eligible expenses
• Not all contributions apply to all Actions

19
Researcher salaries

• Living allowance (reference, cost of living index
  100)

Correction factor for cost of living to be
applied UK 112.5
20
Additional allowances

• Travel costs depending on distance 250 - 2500
  /year
• Mobility allowance 500 /month (no family) 800
  /month (family)
• (Correction factor for cost of living to be
  applied)
• Career exploratory allowance 2000 /fellow (min.
  1 year stay, depending on Action)
• Training/research costs of eligible researchers
• 250 -750 /fellow-month (depending on Action)

21
Contribution to researchers example

• Activities carried out by the researcher
• Researcher with family, going from Lisbon to
  Paris for 2 years with an Intra-European
  Fellowship under an employment contract
• Living allowance 47,000 x 2 years 94,000
• Mobility allowance 800 x 24 months 19,200
• correction factor 104.7 113,200x
  104.7 117,728
• Career exploratory allowance 2000
• Travel costs 1000 x 2 years2000
• Total contribution for the researcher 121,728
• Research costs (lab based) 500 x 24 12000
• TOTAL Community Contribution 133728

22
Proposal submission and evaluation

• Estelle Kane
• UK Research Office

23
Outline of the process

• Published as a call
• Submit application before deadline
• Evaluation process
• Notification of results
• Contract negotiation
• Contract signature and start of project

24
Key documents

• The Call Text
• A Rough Guide to the Marie Curie Actions
• The Work Programme of the HRM Activity
• The Handbook for the corresponding action
• The Guide for Proposers
• Guidance Notes for Evaluators
• Sources
• UKRO NCP website http//www.ukro.ac.uk/mobility
• Commission http//fp6.cordis.lu/fp6

25
Proposal submission forms

• Part A
• Set of forms on administrative information
  about the proposal and the proposers
  (pre-prepared form).
• Part B
• Free-text description of the research project.
• Series of headings and explanatory notes based on
  the evaluations criteria.

26
Evaluation of proposals

• Evaluation by competent experts in the field
• Need to address all of the issues to maximise
  scores
• Total score for a proposal is 100
• Some areas require a minimum score (threshold)
• Each area is weighted
• In many cases the science counts for less than
  30
• You must focus on the objectives of the activity
  to be successful
• Look carefully at the score matrix

27
Evaluation process
Proposal
Rejection
Eligibility
Individual Evaluation
Consensus
Ethical Issues
Rejection
Thresholds
Ranking by Commission
Negotiation
Rejection
Negative Result
Commission Funding Decision
28
Individual actions making the most of your
application

• Estelle Kane
• UK Research Office

29
Types of Fellowship

• Intra-European Fellowships
• Outgoing International
• Incoming International
• Excellence Actions
• Reintegration Grants

30
Human Resources and Mobility in FP6


31
Individual Fellowships

• To respond to the individual advanced training
  needs of the most promising experienced
  researchers to give them the necessary boost to
  become fully independent in their field
• Fellowships for experienced researchers(gt4 years
  experience or PhD)
• Training through research, incl. life-long
  training or for resuming career
• Application by fellow in liaison with host

32
Individual Fellowships

• 3 Action Types
• Intra-European (EIF) 1 to 2 years
• From and to EU and Associated Countries
• Outgoing (OIF) up to 2 1 years
• EU and Ass. Country fellows to 3rd country
• mandatory return element
• Incoming (IIF) 1 to 2 years
• promising researchers from 3rd country
• possibility of return support for emerging
  economies

33
IEFs 1st call summary statistics (2)
34
IIFs 1st call summary statistics
35
OIFs 1st call summary statistics
36
Evaluations and weightings for IEFs, IIFs and OIFs

• W T
• B1 Scientific Quality of the Project 15 -
• B2 Quality of the research training 15 3
• B3 Quality of the host 15 -
• B4 Quality of the Researcher 15 4
• B5 Management and Feasibility 5 -
• B6 Relevance to the objectives of the activity
  25 -
• B7 Added Value to the Community 10 -
• B8 Previous proposals and contracts - -
• B9 Other Issues - -

37
Quality of research training

• (one A4 page)
• Explain in detail which will be the training
  objectives of the proposal and how these can be
  beneficial for the development of an independent
  research career.
• Describe any new expertise that you expect to
  acquire during the project.
• Outline any complementary training and skills
  expected during the execution of the project
• OIF - Explain how the experience acquired during
  the outgoing phase will be implemented in your
  return host institution (if appropriate IIF)

38
IEF/IIF/OIF Tips Training (1)

• Clear assignment of scientists responsible for
  the training
• Contemplates training courses specifically
  designed for postdoctoral fellows.
• Research training objectives are clearly
  identified and described
• Both participants will benefit from their mutual
  collaboration, not only through direct joint
  work, but also through the interaction with the
  whole research group

39
IEF/IIF/OIF Tips Training (2)

• A research project with no training element
• The host asserts skills with out presenting
  convincing evidence of competence
• The range of techniques described would clearly
  be valuable to the researcher, but the lack of
  detailed description does not inspire confidence
  in the quality of training available.

40
Capacity building

• To promote excellence in European research
• Marie Curie Excellence Grants (EXT) up to 4
  years
• To set up or extend teams of the highest level
• Leading edge or interdisciplinary research
• Marie Curie Chairs (EXC) up to 3 years
• Top level teaching appointments
• Particularly for researchers who wish to resume
  their career in Europe
• Marie Curie Prizes (EXA)
• Prizes for excellent researchers who have
  benefited from Marie Curie Actions

41
Weightings and thresholds for EXTs

• EXT
• W T
• B1 Scientific Quality of the Project 15 4
• B2 Quality of the Research Training N/A N/A
• B3 Quality of the Host 10 -
• B4 Quality of the Researcher 15 4
• B5 Management and Feasibility 15 -
• B6 Relevance to the objectives of the
• activity 25 -
• B7 Added Value to the Community 20 -
• B8 Previous proposals and contracts - -
• B9 Other Issues - -

42
EXTs summary statistics first call
43
EXT - Quality of the team leader

• MAXIMUM THREE A4 PAGES, EXCLUDING CV
• The curriculum vitae of the team leader must be
  attached to this description. This must not
  exceed four pages in length, including most
  relevant publications.
• Describe the scientific and/or technological
  achievements of the team leaders previous
  research and the level of international
  co-operation experience and recognition gained as
  a result.
• Describe the experience of the team leader in
  managing research projects.
• How will the experience of the team leader enable
  him or her to carry out the proposed research?

44
Re-Integration Grants

• To support integration of a stable research
  career following a period of mobility
• Following a 2-year Marie Curie fellowship (ERG)
• EU and Associate Country fellows
• Reintegration of country of origin or elsewhere
• Obligation for host to offer minimum 2-year work
  contract and research project
• Following a stay outside Europe (IRG)
• European researchers who have been outside Europe
  for 5 years

45
Return and Re-integration summary statistics
1st call
46
Weightings and Thresholds ERG/IRG

• ERG IRG W T W T
• B1 Scientific Quality of the Project 15 - 15 -
• B2 Quality of the research training 5 - 5 -
• B3 Quality of the host 15 - 15
• B4 Quality of the Researcher 20 - 20 3
• B5 Management and Feasibility 10 - 10
• B6 Relevance to the objectives of
• the activity 15 3 25 -
• B7 Added Value to the Community 20 -
  10 -
• B8 Previous proposals and contracts - -
• B9 Other Issues - -

47
ERG - Relevance to the objectives of the activity

• Maximum 2 pages
• Outline the benefit that will be gained from
  undertaking the project at Community level and
  how the fellowship will contribute to enhance EU
  scientific excellence.
• The evaluation will also take into consideration
  how the period of re-integration will benefit
  the researchers career and what will be the
  potential for professional integration and
  long-term job stability for the researcher, as
  well as the capacity of the applicant to attract
  future funding.
• Describe what will be the supplementary added
  value provided through the contribution offered
  by the host in terms of additional support and
  how it will help in the professional integration
  of the researcher.

48

• Questions?

49
Host actions - making the most of your application

• Estelle Kane
• UK Research Office

50
Types of Fellowship

• Research Training Networks (RTNs)
• Early Stage Research Training (ESTs)
• Transfer of Knowledge (ToK)
• Excellence Actions
• Conferences

51
Human Resources and Mobility in FP6


52
Research Training Networks

• Well defined collaborative research projects of
  recognized international stature
• Minimum 3 partners in 3 Countries
• 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

53
RTNs - summary statistics

• Average consortium size 10 partners
• Average number of fellow months 448
• Average budget 2.2 M (0.62 to 4.8 M)

First Call FP6
54
Weightings and thresholds for RTNs

• RTN
• W T
• B1 Scientific Quality of the Project 15 3
• B2 Quality of Training Activities 20 4
• B3 Quality / Capacity of the Host(s) 15 -
• B4 Management and Feasibility 15 3
• B5 Relevance to the objectives
• of the activity 20 -
• B6 Added Value to the Community 15 -
• B7 Previous proposals and contracts
• B8 Other Issues

55
Quality of training activities - RTNs

• maximum Four A4 pages Table
• Content and quality of the training and transfer
  of knowledge programme (three A4 pages)
• Incl. detail training objectives mix ESR/EXRs
• Impact of the training and/or transfer of
  knowledge programme (two A4 pages)
• Incl. justification including impact on
  particular field and researchers careers
• Planned recruitment of early-stage and
  experienced researchers (one A4 page table)
• Incl. number of researcher-months, recruitment

56
RTN Tips Training programme - 1

• MOST IMPORTANT EVALUATION CRITERIA (1/3 projects
  fail here)
• Detailed and exhaustive (credible activities)
• Detail on collaborations between ESR and EXR
• Flexible, adaptable and well monitored
• Secondments
• Ambitious but not tourist exchanges
• Linked well with work plan and exact schedule

57
RTN Tips Training programme - 2

• Complementary and interdisciplinary skills
• RTN newsletter, accessible databank
• Balanced training for all in RTN must be no
  disadvantage for some nodes
• Participation in events while important, does not
  constitute training in itself

58
RTN Tips Training programme - 3

• Variety of implementation (scale, location,
  method, timing)
• Make main decisions well before start
• Ensure does not overlap with existing programmes
  and RTNs in field (in Europe!)
• Distant learning appreciated but must be seen as
  complementary

59
Early Stage Researcher Training

• Offer structured scientific and /or technological
  training as well as providing complementary
  skills
• Higher Education, Research Centres, Enterprises
• Early stages of their career (lt4 years/predoc)
• Structured training in research, competencies and
  complementary skills
• 3 year fellowships, including short stays
• Single-Group or Multi-partner

60
EST - summary statistics from first call
75 mono-sites Average number of fellow months
307.5 (18 870) Average budget 1.36 m (0.08 to
3.69 M) Average score 91.1 (87.3-98.6)
61
Weightings and thresholds for ESTs

• EST
• W T
• B1 Scientific Quality of the Project 10 3
• B2 Quality of Training Activities 15 4
• B3 Quality / Capacity of the Host(s) 25 -
• B4 Management and Feasibility 15 3
• B5 Relevance to the objectives
• of the activity 20 -
• B6 Added Value to the Community 15 -
• B7 Previous proposals and contracts
• B8 Other Issues

62
Quality of training activities - EST

• maximum Four A4 pages Table
• provide a description of the research training
  activities
• description of the research training programme
  including the field of training, the proposed
  structure, expected durations, and details of
  any complementary training (such as research
  management, presentation skills, ethics, etc.)
• if relevant a description of the role and
  training provided by each participant
• a justification of the quality of the proposed
  research training and why it is appropriate to
  the needs of ESRs
• description and justification of the impact of
  this training within the field
• where applicable provide a justified description
  of how the proposed project will work towards a
  more co-ordinated approach to the research
  training at an international level and /or foster
  the support of European PhDs .

63
EST Tips Fellowships

• Mentor/trainee balance
• Common and well defined selection process
  (equality, criteria defined, publicity, cross
  assessment, recruitment)
• Training programme adaptable to individual
  (career development plan, competence matching)
• Deliverables for Fellow
• Realistic fellowship lengths

64
EST Tips Training programme

• Detailed and exhaustive (credible activities)
• Flexible, adaptable and well monitored
• Complementary and interdisciplinary skills
• Participation in events while important, does not
  constitute training in itself

65
Transfer of Knowledge

• Host Fellowships
• Higher Education, Research Centers, Enterprises
• Experienced Researchers (gt4 yrs)
• Develop new areas of competence
• Develop capabilities in LFRs and Assoc. Countries
• Industry /Academia exchange possibilities (SMEs)
• Up to 2 years

66
Transfer of Knowledge Development Scheme

• To develop or reinforce research potential of
  institutes in need of new competencies
• Applications by institutions in need of
  developing new competencies
• All countries, with priority to Community
  LFRs/Associate Candidate Countries
• Host selects and recruits experienced researchers
  (2-24 months)
• Possibility to send own staff (2-12 months) to
  pre-determined institutions return

67
Transfer of Knowledge Industry/Academic
partnership

• To create or develop strategic and durable
  partnerships
• Application by Industry and academia partners
  from at least 2 different countries
• Co-ordinating host from industry or academia,
  with one or more partners from the other sector
• Funding of exchange of experienced researchers
  amongst staff members, in both directions (2-24
  months)
• Includes SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups

68
TOK DEV summary statistics from first call
69
TOK IAP summary statistics from first call
70
Weightings and thresholds for ToK

• W T
• B1 Scientific Quality of the Project or 15 3
• Research Training Area
• B2 Transfer of Knowledge Activities 15 4
• B3 Quality / Capacity of the Host(s) 15 -
• B4 Management and Feasibility 15 2
• B5 Relevance to the objectives of the activity
  20 -
• B6 Added Value to the Community 20 -
• B7 Previous proposals and contracts - -
• B8 Other Issues - -

71
TOK DEV/IAP Transfer of knowledge activities

• 4 pages plus table
• Need for training and transfer of knowledge
• Content of the Transfer of Knowledge
• Expected impact on training and knowledge
  transfer
• Describe the anticipated impact of the transfer
  of knowledge on the host organisation with
  respect to its competitiveness at national, EC
  and international level and other EU policies
  (e.g. cohesion). (DEV)
• Describe the anticipated impact of the transfer
  of knowledge through the strategic partnership on
  the partner organisations with respect to their
  competitiveness at national, EC and international
  level and other EU policies. (IAP)
• Required involvement of experienced researchers

72
Conferences and Training Courses (SCF/LCF)

• To stimulate early stage researchers through
  participation of conferences and courses
• Encourage junior researchers to benefit from the
  experience of leading researchers
• Variety of Actions (including virtual ones)
• series of conferences, summer schools, lab
  courses etc. on a theme or linked themes
• support for junior researchers in larger
  conferences selected for their training interest
• Duration from several days to 4 weeks

73
SCF/LCF summary statistics (1) from first call
74
SCF/LCF summary statistics (2) from first call

• LCF
• 117 evaluated
• 17 3 ranked
• Approx 1 Million euro
• SCF
• 199 evaluated
• 14 9 ranked
• Approx 9 Million euro

75
Weightings and thresholds for Conferences

• W T
• B1 Scientific Quality of the Project 25 -
• B2 Quality of Research Training 15 4
• B3 Quality of the Host(s) 10 -
• B4 Management and Feasibility 20 -
• B5 Relevance to the objectives
• of the activity 15 -
• B6 Added Value to the Community 15 -
• B7 Previous proposals and contracts - -
• B8 Other Issues - -

76
SCF/LCF - Quality of the research training

• (MAXIMUM THREE A4 PAGES)
• Explain why there is a special interest or need,
  at the Community level, to promote the training
  of eligible researchers in the research field(s)
  covered by the project
• The project may offer training in complementary
  skills of value for the career development of
  researchers, such as research management, ethical
  issues, communication of results and so on In
  this case, outline the nature and relevance of
  the complementary skills on which training will
  be offered
• Outline the relevance of the training offered by
  the project, by describing the training
  environment, i.e. how eligible researchers are
  given the opportunity to take advantage of the
  advanced topic, the international nature of the
  project and the presence of leading scientists,
  and also the contact building opportunities.
• In the case of practical courses, describe the
  hands-on experience to be offered.

77
SCF/LCF Tips Quality of research training

• Keynote teachers are clearly identified
• Ensure field covered is not too wide or too
  narrow so beneficial to early stage researchers
• Clear link between the events
• Variety of engagement methods e.g. hands-on
  experience presentation of work meet the
  experts, with both theoretical and practical
  training
• The publications will have a reference beyond the
  event itself

78
Further information

• UKRO NCP website
• http//www.ukro.ac.uk/mobility
• Queries on the schemes
• mobility_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
• Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
• Other useful websites
• http//www.europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecu
  rie-actions/home_en.html
• http//www.cordis.lu/rtd2002/home.html

79

• Questions?