Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Innovative Training Networks (ITN) University of Jyväskylä 11.11.2015 Satu Huuha-Cissokho, MSCA NCP 1
H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions MSCA Objectives Attract and retain research talent in Europe Develop state-of-the-art, innovative training schemes, consistent with the requirements of R&I Promote sustainable career development in R&I Focus on delivering new knowledge and skills Back up strong partnership with MS via cofunding mechanism 2
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks, ITN Cofunding of regional, national and international programmes COFUND Research and Innovation Staff Exchange RISE Funding for doctoral training networks Applicants academic or non-academic sector actors based in different countries Open recruitment of doctoral students to the network Co-funding of (national) doctoral and fellowship programmes (max 50 %) Applicant is a single organisation or a network, which already has existing doctoral or fellowship programmes Open recruitment of doctoral students, international peer review of fellowships Short-term exchange of existing staff members (max 12 months/person) Salaries are not covered Inter-sectoral and international (third countries) co-operation Individual Fellowships IF Researchers Night Applicant is an individual researcher together with host organisation From Europe to any country, from any country to Europe For experienced researcher: PhD degree or at least four years of research experience after MSc Support for organizing public events targeted to general public to stimulate interest in research careers Europe-wide event every September Applicant is an individual organisation or a consortium 3
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Overall objective: To train new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative earlystage researchers, able to face current and future challenges and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic and social benefit. Training innovative early-stage researchers. Mobility across sectors, countries and disciplines. Skills to match public and private sector needs. Attractive working and employment conditions. Excellence in doctoral research training. Collaboration between the academia and non-academic sectors. 4
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Main focus: Extending traditional academic doctoral training Researchers equipped with right skills and competences (researcher and transferable) Career perspectives in both academic and non-academic sectors 3 "I" element: International, Intersectorial, Interdisciplinary Focus on scientific and technological knowledge through researcher on individual projects 5
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Applicant is a network of organisations involved in research and (research) training Involving wide partnership of institutions from academic and non-academic sectors Strong involvement of commercial entities in training 3 modes: ETN (European Training Networks) EID (European Industrial Doctorates) EJD (European Joint Doctorates) Academic sector: public or private higher education establishments awarding academic degrees, public or private non-profit research organisations whose primary mission is to pursue research, international European interest organisations (e.g. CERN, EMBL) and the EU's Joint Research Centre. Non-academic sector: includes any entity not included in the academic sector, e.g. large companies, SMEs, NGOs, museums, hospitals, international organisations (e.g. UN). 6
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Participants Academic and non-academic organisations can take part as either a beneficiary or a partner organisation: Beneficiaries Sign the Grant Agreement and claim costs, are responsible for the execution of the programme Partner Organisations Do not sign the Grant Agreement and do not claim costs, must include a letter of commitment in the proposal. The precise role of each partner organisation should also be clearly described in the proposal. 7
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) ETN - European Training Networks at least 3 beneficiaries from 3 different EU MS or AC. Above this minimum any country can participate EID - European Industrial Doctorates at least 2 beneficiaries established in 2 different MS or AC. At least one beneficiary must be entitled to award doctoral degrees and at least one beneficiary must come from the non-academic sector, primarily enterprise. Each researcher - enrolled in a doctoral programme and spend at least 50% in the non-academic sector. The joint supervision of fellows by supervisors from each sector is mandatory. EJD - European Joint Doctorates at least 3 beneficiaries from different EU MS or AC which are entitled to award doctoral degrees. creation of joint doctoral programmes, leading to the delivery of joint, double or multiple doctoral degrees. 8
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Common features International network of partners which recruit and host ESRs based on joint research training/doctoral programme. Research fields chosen by applicants in multi/interdisciplinary and emerging fields of S&T. Training through individual research projects within the framework of the overall research topic. Meaningful exposure to the non-academic sector. Supervisory Board. Typical project duration 48 months. 9
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) General Principles Consortium applies for funding consortium then recruits the researchers Employment contracts with full social security All projects publish their vacancies on EURAXESS, automatically in NatureJobs Duration of projects: 4 years Consortium agreement: compulsory for all modalities Support to early-stage researchers only (less than 4 yrs researcher experience) Fellowships of 3-36 months (normally 36 months) Maximum 540 researcher-months per consortium (180 for EID with 2 partners) No restrictions based on ESRs nationality 10
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Funding mechanism Fully based on unit costs, 1 researcher month = 1 unit Unit cost is pre-calculated in estimated budget Total = unit costs* x number of units Cost categories A. Recruited Researchers: A.1 Living allowance A.2 Mobility allowance A.3 Family allowance B. Institutional costs: B.1 Research, training and networking costs B.2 Management and indirect costs 11
Financing Costs categories Researcher Institution Living allowance* Mobility allowance Family allowance Research, training and networking costs Management and indirect costs 3.110 600 500 1.800 1.200 *Country correction coefficient applies to the living allowance Researcher Allowances include employer contributions Researcher Allowances are a minimum to be paid (top-ups from other sources permitted) 12
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) B.1 Research, training and networking costs How much? Fixed amount of 1.800 per researcher-month What is it used for? To contribute to expenses related to: Training courses etc. Research costs Participation of researchers in training events and conferences Secondments Co-ordination between participants Tuition fees (if applicable) 13
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Some Frequently asked questions: Can we pay the fellow less? No Breach of the Grant Agreement Can we pay the fellow more? Yes But any top-up cannot be charged to the project We operate on a 13 month pay regime, can we use this? Yes provided the fellow receives the full amount owed and it is clearly stated in the contract with the fellow. Do we always pay the fellow in euro? No The fellow can be paid in the local currency, but the costs must be reported in euro. 14
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Mobility rule The researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of his/her host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her (first) recruitment*. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. Exception: for international organisations, the mobility rule does not apply to the hosting of eligible researchers. However, the appointed researcher shall not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment at the same organisation. * mobility calculated at date of recruitment! 15
Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Typical activities Network-wide training activities (e.g. seminars, workshops and summer schools). Training in key transferable skills. Collaboration and exchange of knowledge within the network. Communication & Dissemination. Public engagement. 16
European Training Networks (ETN) 17
European Training Networks (ETN) ETN Network composition: Min 3 beneficiaries from 3 MS/AC. Typical size: 6-10 participants. Each beneficiary must recruit and host at least one researcher at its premises. Participation of non-academic sector considered essential. Maximum of 540 researcher months for the network. Secondments to other beneficiaries and/or partner organisations up to 30% of the researcher recruitment period. Joint supervision encouraged. Maximum 40% of total budget to one country. 18
MARIE SKŁODOWSKA- CURIE ACTIONS EID European Industrial Doctorate 19
European Industrial Doctorates (EID) EID in a few words What? EID is about Doctoral training in collaboration with non-academic sector How? PhD enrolment at academia + 50% of time at non-academic sector 50% With Joint selection, training and supervision 20
European Industrial Doctorates (EID) EID 2 beneficiaries Academic Country 1 Academic Partner Organisation(s) 50% Non- Academic Country 2 Nonacademic Partner Organisation(s) 2 beneficiaries 1 academic 1 non-academic 2 countries (MS/AC) Max. 180 researchermonths PhD enrollment > 50% of time at nonacademic sector Joint supervision 21
European Industrial Doctorates (EID) EID Multi-beneficiaries Academic Country 1 Partner Organisation(s) 22 Academic 50% Non- Academic Country 2 Nonacademic Non- Academic Country 3 Partner Organisation(s) 3+ beneficiaries Min. 1 academic Min. 1 non-academic in 2 countries (MS/AC) Additional beneficiaries any sector, any country Max. 540 researchermonths PhD enrollment > 50% of time at nonacademic sector Joint supervision
European Industrial Doctorates (EID) EID Recruitment Each researcher is recruited: 100% by a beneficiary and sent to other partner(s) for the share of time foreseen in the project/mode, OR Separately by each beneficiary for the period of time they spend there. 23 When selecting the recruitment option, consider: - Influence on salary (country correction coefficients) - Ease of implementation
MARIE SKŁODOWSKA- CURIE ACTIONS European Joint Doctorates (EJD) 24
European Joint Doctorates (EJD) Objectives of EJDs international, intersectoral and multi/interdisciplinary collaboration in doctoral-level training in Europe Creation of joint doctoral programmes Delivery of joint, double or multiple doctoral degrees 25
European Joint Doctorates (EJD) Joint/double/multiple degree: definitions Joint degree : single diploma issued by at least two higher education institutions offering integrated programme and recognised officially in the countries where the degreeawarding institutions are located Double or multiple degree: two or more separate national diplomas issued by two or more higher education institutions and recognised officially in the countries where the degreeawarding institutions are located 26
European Joint Doctorates (EJD) multiple Country 1 Network composition: joint Academic Country 2 Academic double Academic Country 3 At least 3 beneficiaries from different MS/AC entitled to award doctoral degrees. Additional beneficiaries or partner organisations from any country, sector and discipline Academic Non-academic Participation of non-academic sector essential Partner organisations 27
European Joint Doctorates (EJD) joint Academic Country 2 multiple Country 1 Academic double Academic Country 3 Requirements: Mandatory enrolment of ESRs in the joint doctoral programme Mandatory provision of joint, double or multiple degrees (letters of institutional commitment signed by a legal representative needed in the proposal) Academic Non-academic Partner organisations Max 540 researcher months per network ESR appointments 3-36 months 28
Evaluation Criteria 29
Evaluation Criteria 30
Evaluation Criteria In addition to these evaluation criteria: Operational capacity of the hosts will be assessed by evaluators Table on data for non-academic beneficiaries (1st page of part B proposal) and Table on capacity of the participating organisations (section 5 of part B proposal) must be complete! Each host institution must have appropriate premises to host researchers (not just access to equipment), as well as appropriate staff resources to supervise/train researchers. 31
When to apply 32
Call timetable Next ITN call Publication of the call 15 October 2015 Deadline for submission of proposals 12 January 2016 Call budget* 370 MEUR (of which EID 25 m, EJD 28 m ) 33
MSCA: Current and forthcoming calls for proposals ITN COFUND RISE IF Researchers night Call opened 15.10.2015 Next call opens 14.4.2016 Next call opens 8.12.2015 Next call opens 12.4.2016 Call opened 15.10.2015 Deadline 12.1.2016 Deadline 29.9.2015 Deadline 28.4.2016 Deadline 14.9.2016 Deadline 13.1.2016 34
Statistics from the previous ITN call In 2015 call the number of applications increased by 35 % ITN2015 Proposals evaluated Retained for funding Success rate Reserve list ETN 1319 83 6,3 % 34 EID 157 15 9,6 % 9 EJD 87 8 9,2 % 3 TOTAL 1563 106 6,8 % 46 Finnish participation ITN2015 Retained Reserve list Below available budget Below threshold TOTAL Coordinators 2 (ETN) 0 21 5 28 Partners 10 (8 ETN, 2 EID) 5 (4 ETN, 1 EID) 142 33 190 TOTAL 12 5 163 38 218 35
Tips for a good proposal 1 Contact all the institutions you are applying with early Consider the role of the non-academic sector participants (SME, industry, NGOs, public administration) Read all the call documents carefully, particularly Guide for Applicants Follow all the guidelines carefully, provide all the required information, respect the structure of Part B Start preparing your proposal early Log in to the participant portal at an early stage Avoid last minute submission 36
Tips for a good proposal 2 Consider particularly training and career development aspects Make use of the expertise of your supervisor or colleagues who have already received funding from MSCA Consider the evaluation criteria. Does your application give sufficient details for all the evaluation criteria? Clear and structured information (less is sometimes more) Keep European / international dimension in mind Contact your NCP if questions 37
More information Satu Huuha-Cissokho MSCA National Contact Point (NCP) Academy of Finland satu.huuha-cissokho@aka.fi Tel. 0295 33 5075 38