OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE FELLOWSHIPS 1

OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE FELLOWSHIPS 1 Guidelines for Applicants These guidelines are valid for OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) fellowships. Applicants must read these guidelines and the Regulations for OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships before submitting their proposal. Content 1. What is [PEGASUS]²?... 3 2. What is an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship?... 3 3. Who can apply for an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship?... 4 3.1 Nationality... 4 3.2 PhD degree... 4 3.3 Seniority... 4 3.3 Outgoing mobility requirements... 5 3.4. Restrictions on resubmissions... 5 3.4 Eligible host institution... 6 3.5 Obliged return period... 7 3.6. Application eligibility criteria... 8 4. How to apply for [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship?... 8 4.1 Timing of the calls... 8 4.2 Submission procedure... 8 4.3 Evaluation procedure... 9 4.4 Evaluation criteria... 11 1 This project has received funding from the European Union s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 665501. 1

5. Employment conditions... 12 5.1 Financial details... 12 5.2 Social Security and insurances... 12 5.3 Part time research... 13 5.4 Maternity leave... 13 5.5 Holidays... 13 6. Commitments of the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellow... 13 6.1 Visa and related authorizations... 13 6.2. Dissemination of research results... 14 6.3 Scientific integrity... 15 6.4 Ethical issues management... 15 6.5 Reporting... 15 6.6 Evaluation Questionnaire... 16 6.7 [PEGASUS] 2 meeting... 16 7. Contacts... 16 2

1. What is [PEGASUS]²? International and/or intersectoral mobility have become an essential part of today s research career since they are an indispensable catalyst for individual enrichment, a higher quality of research, and internationalisation of research in general. With [PEGASUS]², destined for experienced postdoctoral researchers, the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) aims to enhance human capital in fundamental research in all scientific areas by attracting more excellent foreign researchers to Flanders via incoming fellowships, as well as by bestowing researchers in Flanders with increased international experience via outgoing fellowships. Within the programme, there are two types of fellowships: - INCOMING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships: a regular 3-year postdoctoral fellowship for researchers that are currently performing research abroad and wish to continue their research career in the Flemish Community. - OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships: a regular 3-year postdoctoral fellowship of which the first 2 years are spent at a foreign academic or non-academic research institution and the third return year at a Flemish university to which the applicant is affiliated for the total period of the fellowship. This [PEGASUS]² programme is co-funded by the European Union s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 665501. A link to funding opportunities and calls cofounded by the Marie Curie Actions of the European Commission is available on the EU Cordis Website under http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/cofund_en.html Note: The guidelines in this document specifically apply to the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships. 2. What is an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship? The OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships are regular postdoctoral fellowships with a duration of three years, of which the first two years involve research being conducted at a foreign research institution or company, the third year being an obligatory return year during which research must be carried out at the Flemish host institution to which the fellow is affiliated during the entire 3-year fellowship. The goal of the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships is to encourage transnational mobility in Flemish research in general and to offer the outgoing fellow a unique opportunity to boost his/her career by providing support and training all within an optimal research environment and the best working conditions. On the one hand these fellowships aim at improving the researchers skills in their specific research domain, via acquisition of new methods and techniques, interaction with group members and mentoring. The outgoing fellows will benefit from the intellectual and socio-cultural 3

exchange with their peers and through their immersion in a highly qualified international environment will help FWO reach its strategic goal of keeping Flemish research in line with international standards. Yet on the other hand the fellows will enhance their transferable skills, improving the researchers competencies and resulting in a more attractive profile for the general job market. 3. Who can apply for an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship? 3.1 Nationality The [PEGASUS]²-programme is open to all nationalities. However, in those cases where the foreign host institution is located in a country not mentioned in the underneath list*, the candidate must have the nationality of one of countries mentioned in the underneath list* or have conducted full-time research activities in one of these underneath listed countries* for a period of at least 5 consecutive years. *: All EU Member States and Iceland, Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Israel, Moldova, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Ukraine. 3.2 PhD degree On the start date of the fellowship, the candidate must have obtained a PhD or a degree, in any scientific area, recognised as equivalent by law in accordance with the provisions of the Flemish Higher Education Code of 11 October 2013 (Art. II 255 258).. For call with deadline 1 February 2016, the PhD must have been obtained no later than 1 June 2016. For call with deadline 1 May 2016, the PhD must have been obtained no later than 1 November 2016. 3.3 Seniority Applicants must apply within 3 years after obtaining their PhD calculated from June 1 st 2016 (for call with deadline 1 February 2016) or November 1 st 2016 (for call with deadline 1 May 2016). However, holders of a first regular FWO postdoctoral fellowship can apply for an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship in such case regarded as a postdoctoral extension, independent of their postdoctoral seniority. Such OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship must immediately follow on the initial regular FWO postdoctoral fellowship and be requested in the last year of the first regular FWO postdoctoral fellowship. For more requirements and details concerning the seniority, please carefully read Article 2 and Article 5 of the Regulations for the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships. 4

3.3 Outgoing mobility requirements Candidates for the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships should not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their foreign host organization where they wish to carry out research the first 2 years of their fellowship for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the start of the fellowship. Furthermore, applicants must have been performing research activities at a Flemish university or a Flemish or federal scientific institution in Belgium one year before the submission deadline. For more details, please carefully read Article 4 of the Regulations for the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships. 3.4. Restrictions on resubmissions You cannot apply for a [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship of which you have previously, even if only partially, been the beneficiary. Researchers who previously were granted a Pegasus-long fellowship, are not allowed to submit in this [PEGASUS]² programme. Only one application for a [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship can be submitted per calendar year. It is as such not allowed to submit an application for a [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship both for the call with deadline on 1 February 2016 and 1 May 2016. Moreover, it is not possible to apply for a [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship and a regular FWO postdoctoral fellowship in the same year. You cannot apply more than twice for a postdoctoral fellowship at FWO. [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships are in this regard considered as regular postdoctoral fellowships. Beneficiaries of a [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship as an initial FWO postdoctoral fellowship can no longer apply for an initial regular postdoctoral fellowship with the FWO, but they can apply for renewal of a postdoctoral fellowship. Such postdoctoral renewal must follow on the [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship and should therefore be requested in the last fellowship year or return year. The OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship can also be regarded as a postdoctoral extension. In this case, the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship must immediately follow on the initial regular FWO postdoctoral fellowship and be requested in the last year of the first regular FWO postdoctoral fellowship. 5

Figure 1: Overview of possibilities. *: under the conditions that you meet all the eligibility criteria (see regulations) $: if the [PEGASUS]² fellowship was already considered as an extension, you cannot apply for another postdoc extension. 3.5 Eligible host institution Eligible Flemish host institution In order to be eligible, applicants need to be affiliated for the full 3-year period to a university in the Flemish Community, possibly in collaboration with a Flemish or federal scientific institution in Belgium where they conduct their research. It is the responsibility of the applicants to identify a suitable host institution in Flanders, and a suitable research unit where they can carry out their research. The head of the Flemish host institution will be invited by the FWO to write a letter of recommendation. The third year of the fellowship comprises an obligatory return year to the Flemish community during which the fellow must proceed its research at the Flemish host institution with which the fellow is affiliated during the entire fellowship period. If this return period to Flanders is not fulfilled, the employment contract will be terminated. 6

The eligible host institutions are the universities of the Flemish Community: - KU Leuven www.kul.be - Ghent University (UGent) www.ugent.be - University of Antwerp (UA) www.ua.ac.be - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) www.vub.ac.be - Hasselt University (UHasselt) www.uhasselt.be The research may also be carried out in close collaboration with a Flemish or federal scientific institution (IMEC, VIB, VITO, iminds, Institution of Tropical Medicine, ), but always under the supervision and responsibility of a Flemish university. Eligible foreign host institution For the first two years of the 3-year OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship, the research must be conducted at a foreign host institution in the academic or non-academic sector in any country or region other than Belgium (read also section 3.1). It is the responsibility of the applicants to identify a suitable foreign host institution, and a suitable research unit where they can carry out their research. The quality of this foreign host institution will be assessed during the evaluation. It is as such of major importance that the applicant highlights the present expertise, research infrastructure, supervision and training opportunities of this foreign host institution in the application and moreover explains what the added value is for his/her research and his/her scientific career. After submission of your application, the head of the research unit of the foreign host institution will be invited by the FWO administration to write a letter of recommendation and sign a letter of intent declaring the willingness to receive you in his/her research unit in order to perform the research during the first two years of your fellowship as specified and described in your application. To be able to accept your stay at his/her facilities, the head of the foreign research unit will have access to your entire application. Only after allocation of the fellowship, aspects like intellectual properties, ethics and the use of the bench fee, will be lied out in a partnership agreement between the Flemish and foreign host institution (at institutional level), designed case-by-case and before the effective start of the fellowship. The research abroad may be conducted in the non-academic sector. In such case, the project must also cover fundamental research. The head supervisor in the Flemish Community must be an Independent Academic Staff member of the Flemish host institution to which the fellow remains affiliated. Thirdly, the intellectual property of the results must be governed by an agreement concluded between the foreign and Flemish host institution prior to the start of the stay abroad. 3.6 Obliged return period After two years of performing research abroad, you must fulfil a 12 month return period to the Flemish host institution to which you remain affiliated during your entire 3-year fellowship. This period must be integrated in your application. The return period is part of the conditions in the employment contract with FWO and if this return period to Flanders is not fulfilled, the employment contract will be terminated early. 7

3.7. Application eligibility criteria You must submit your application in English before the deadline using the appropriate forms in the FWO e-portal (e-loket). You must also complete all your personal data in the FWO e- portal, such as your nationality, previous occupations, bibliography, etc. The administration might contact you during the eligibility check to further evidence some of this personal information. The application must be complete and in compliance with the FWO regulations on External Peer Review. For the remote evaluation by the external referees, the applicant has to propose ten experts in the Referees section of the application form. In order to avoid conflict of interest the external referee must meet several criteria laid out in regulations on External Peer Review. Make sure to read these very carefully. In a nutshell: Under no circumstances can an external referee be a member of an Expert Panel or of the Board of Trustees of the FWO. Nor is he/she allowed to have any collaboration or co-authored publications with the applicant within the last three years prior to the application (counting from the first of January in year n-3). Make also sure you do not list referees with a Belgian affiliation nor referees affiliated to the foreign host institution where you want to work in the first two years of the fellowship.(this last part is not mentioned in the regulation of External Peer review but is specific to this [PEGASUS]² programme). All other relations with the referee should be avoided. There should be no communication at all on the proposal between the applicant and the listed external referee during the submission and evaluation process. Non-compliance with these regulation will result in ineligibility! 4. How to apply for [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship? 4.1 Timing of the calls Within the [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships programme, there will be two calls: 1) CALL 1 o launch: September 2015 o deadline: February 1, 2016 (05.00 pm Belgian time) o communication of the results: by the end of June 2016 o flexible start* of the granted fellowships: October 2016-February 2017 2) CALL 2 o launch: February 2016 o deadline: May 1, 2016 (05.00 pm Belgian time) o communication of the results: by the end of November 2016 o flexible start of the granted fellowships: January-May 2017 * Except in the cases in which the [PEGASUS]² fellowship is regarded as a postdoc extension. In such cases, the fellowship should immediately follow the previous FWO postdoc fellowship and start in October 2016. 4.2 Submission procedure Create an account at FWO e-portal ( e-loket www.fwo.be). 8

The application form will be accessible online through your account on the FWO e- portal. Write a solid application. When writing a grant application, it may appear useful to consult websites on grant writing that can be found through standard website search tools. Applicants may also consult the research coordination department of their host institution, which may organize workshops dedicated to this topic. The application form and all the uploaded documents can only be submitted in English. The Flemish as well as the foreign supervisor will be invited by the FWO to submit a letter of recommendation. The foreign supervisor must additionally sign a letter of intent agreeing to host and support you in their research unit during the first two years of the concerned project. Approval of the application by the Flemish host institution is always required (advise of the rector concerned). This approval is obtained electronically by invitation of the FWO. 4.3 Evaluation procedure The evaluation procedure is carried out in several steps, described hereafter. More info on the appeal procedure can be found online. 9

Submission A dedicated secured e-portal will be opened well in advance of the call deadline. Applicants can upload the required information at any time prior to the call deadline. All data are saved on a secured server (only accessible by the applicant). Once submitted, the access to the application is restricted to FWO administration. Eligibility check The eligibility of the submitted applications is checked by the FWO administration. Exceptionally, deviations from the eligibility criteria are allowed (e.g. medical reasons). See Regulations for details (cases will be investigated by the Board of Trustees Management committee of the FWO). If the application is ineligible: the applicant is informed within three weeks after the closure of the call for applications. Remote evaluation external referees Minimum two external referees which are experts in the research topic of the applicant evaluate the application using the online referee report forms. In order to avoid conflict of interest, the listed experts must comply with several eligibility criteria. Evaluation FWO experts Eligible applications including the concerned external referee reports, are evaluated by one of the 30 FWO Expert Panels or by the Interdisciplinary Panel. The applicant is free to select the Expert Panel or Interdisciplinary Panel. Applications are sent out to all 16 to 18 experts of the Expert Panel or Interdisciplinary Panel, 1 month before the Expert Panel convenes. For each application, 2 and preferably 3 panel experts or preliminary assessors are assigned by the Chair of the Expert panel or Interdisciplinary Panel. Panel meeting Applications are discussed one by one, taking into account the reports of the external referees and the preliminary assessors. At the end of the meeting, the Expert Panel establishes a ranking of the applications. Final ranking The Panel for International Collaboration establishes an overall ranking. The applications are divided in three categories: 1st order: to be funded with the highest priority 2nd order: to be funded if the budget allows it (reserve list) Not ranked: not to be funded, even if budget were available Ratification The ranking of the Panel for International Collaboration is endorsed by the Board of Trustees. Based on the budget and taking into account an even distribution over the different domains, candidates ranked in first order are awarded a fellowship. In addition, the reserve list is endorsed. Publication and feedback After the meeting of the Board of Trustees results are immediately published online. The applicants are also informed via regular mail about the status of their application (successful/unsuccessful) and their ranking (in the Expert Panel) in the week following the Board meeting. Within two months after publication of the results, all applicants including those who got granted will receive a complete but anonymous feedback report including all evaluation reports of all steps. 10

4.4 Evaluation criteria FWO uses a holistic evaluation process not only focussing on the excellence of the researcher and its proposed research, but also on the research environment, the training opportunities and the support of the host institution, paying attention to non-scientific aspects such as career breaks (e.g. change of career or family reasons). There are no domain-related restrictions as the FWO supports frontier scientific research in all scientific domains using a bottom-up approach. The excellence of the fellow (40%) o research capability and potential such as: - publications in peer reviewed journals as well as other elements of the applicant s CV - patents, teaching, advanced courses, public engagement activities, scientific management experience etc., taking into account the level of experience - university grade and honors o research skills and methodology o scientific independence (independent thinking, management experience and leadership qualities) o scientific background of the applicant o mobility of the applicant (previous transnational and/or intersectoral mobility experience) o impact of the [PEGASUS]² fellowship on the CV and career perspectives of the fellow o any other means to demonstrate the research potential of the applicant The scientific excellence of the project (40%) o originality and innovative nature of the project (progress beyond the state of the art) o feasibility of the project o focus of the project o relevance of the project o coherence of the project o training possibilities and public engagement activities of the project The excellence of the context of employment/hosting (20%) o quality of the hosting institute (e.g. undersigned Charter and Code) o quality of the research environment of the host group (researchers, infrastructure, etc.) o quality of the supervision and training support of the host group o potential to acquire new scientific (disciplinary and interdisciplinary) and nonscientific skills by o training etc. ( transferable skills, e.g. project management, IPR, grant writing, communication, ethics, etc.) o impact of the [PEGASUS]² fellowship on the host lab, its skills, techniques and network 11

5. Employment conditions FWO actively implements the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers in its policies and currently holds the label HR Excellence in Research, both vouching for its commitment to researchers and their careers. 5.1 Financial details Employment contract for a period of 3 years with attractive salary equivalent to the net monthly salary of a PhD Assistant at a Flemish university. Mobility allowance of 1.650/month during the first 2 years abroad. This mobility allowance may be used for all kind of costs related to the relocation and stay of the researcher and his/her family in the host country (e.g. travel expenses of the family in first degree, extra luggage expenses, children s day care, housing, ). In practice, the mobility allowance will not be deposited monthly to the fellow s bank account. The yearly sum of 19.800 will be deposited for 80% ( 15.840) at the start of each fellowship year of the outgoing phase and the remaining 20% ( 3.960) at the end of each fellowship year of the outgoing phase, after submitting a financial report at FWO. Annual bench fee of 4.000 for research, training and research-related travel costs. The purchase of small research equipment is allowed. Medium size and large infrastructure, however, are to be provided for by the host institution. One-time allowance for travel expenses to and from Belgium to the place of destination for the fellow. The research fellows are employed by the FWO, but work at a university or research performing institution. Both the Flemish and foreign host institution have to guarantee that it will provide the applicant with appropriate working conditions (e.g. office/lab space, access to appropriate equipment and material, etc.). The FWO limits the time its fellows can spend on tasks other than their research, and thus contributes to an optimal working environment. At the beginning of every academic year, fellows have to list their assignments other than research. For more details concerning part time research employment, etc. please carefully read Articles 12 and 13 of the Regulations for the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships. 5.2 Social Security and insurances As an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellow you will receive a salary with full Belgian social security coverage enabling you to build up pension and unemployment rights. The third-party liability of fellows and an occupational accident insurance is also covered by a collective insurance policy taken out by the FWO. However, you must adhere to an existing health insurance on your own initiative. Throughout your entire stay abroad you are covered by travel accident insurance with repatriation. During your stay abroad you must also maintain a domicile in Belgium. You remain an employee of the FWO during your entire fellowship. 12

The salary of the fellows takes into account the seniority of the researcher, as evidenced by certificates of former employers. The employment conditions are aligned with the European Charter and Code. The FWO will offer expertise to cope with various questions asked by (resident and international) researchers pertaining to social security regulations. Full support is given to fellowship holders, in order for them to focus maximally on their research. That includes the handling by FWO of problems concerning international mobility issues (e.g. scientific visa, transfer of social security, etc.). 5.3 Part time research OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowships are full-time employment contracts. In exceptional cases, and depending on the formal agreement of the host institution, part-time fellowships may be granted for thoroughly motivated reasons. 5.4 Maternity leave Holders of an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship are entitled to the legal maternity leave of 15 weeks. In this case, their fellowship is also extended with 9 full months, which brings the total duration to 4 years. Per fellowship term there is only one extension allowed. There are also flexible regulations for parental leave. 5.5 Holidays The holiday periods are the same as those indicated in the regulations of your Flemish host institution and are established in consultation with both your Flemish and foreign departmental head. You must inform the FWO secretariat of your annual holidays, also during your stay abroad in the first two years of your fellowship. The holiday pay, calculated on the basis of the salary or grant of the month of May, will be paid into the holder's account during the month of May. 6. Commitments of the OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellow 6.1 Visa and related authorizations As an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellow you may need visa and related authorizations (residence and work permit etc.) before entering the foreign country where you will work in the first two years of the fellowship. You will have to take care of these documents yourself. It is recommended to contact the local EURAXESS Service Centre (contact persons: see http://www.euraxess.be/servicescentres.asp) as soon as possible after the submission of your [PEGASUS]² application. This enables you to receive the information about documents and procedures well in advance in order to submit your visa request immediately after the communication of the [PEGASUS]² funding decision. For procedures concerning the visa 13

application, refer to the Belgian embassy in the country of destination and make sure you calculate sufficient time for such procedures. 6.2. Dissemination of research results Peer reviewed publications The dissemination and transfer of knowledge is a key added-value of research. Results should be published actively in peer reviewed publications and presented in scientific conferences. The capacity to publish is an essential criterion to build up a future research career. The publication of research results should only be restricted in well justified cases by the host institutions. It is a joint responsibility of the applicants and their scientific contacts to aim for publications in top scientific journals in their field, to improve career prospects after the [PEGASUS]² grant. Open access As an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellow you must ensure open access (free of charge online access for any user) to all peer reviewed scientific publications relating to the results of your research. The publications that result from the FWO subsidies should be published in a public Open Access database, within six months from the date of publication, in order to effect greater impact and valorization of your work (for Social sciences and Humanities, within 12 months). You are also advised to publish your other publications in such an "Open Access" database, the so-called "Open Archives", together with the research data that resulted in these publications. Public engagement activities Furthermore, the FWO encourages all fellows to make the results of their research known to a wider audience, and to valorize them where possible and relevant. In your application, you must describe the public engagement activities you will included in your project in order to create awareness among the general public of the research work performed and its implications for citizens and society. The type of outreach activities could range from press articles and participating in events to presenting science, research and innovation activities to students from primary and secondary schools or universities in order to develop their interest in research careers. Other possibilities might include 'open days' or videos, which would enable the public to see where and how the research is undertaken. You will need to outline the frequency and nature of outreach activities in your application form. During the fellowship, you will be asked to submit yearly reports on your scientific activities to the FWO in which you need to indicate which actions you have undertaken in the context of science communication and science in society. Intellectual properties Intellectual properties rights of research results must be governed by a partnership agreement concluded between the foreign and Flemish host institution prior to the start of the stay abroad. Acknowledgement of [PEGASUS]² funding Holders of a [PEGASUS]² fellowship carry the official title FWO [PEGASUS]² Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow. Financial support from FWO and the EU must be acknowledged in all publications and other forms of media communication by including the following text in 14

any dissemination of results (in any form, including electronic): This project has received funding from the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) and the European Union s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 665501. 6.3 Scientific integrity The FWO watches over the scientific integrity from the moment research funding is applied for until the execution of the research and the publication of the research results. Therefore, researchers benefiting from FWO support as well as their host institutions, (co-)promoters and other collaborators involved in FWO research are required to adhere to the scientific integrity at all times. To this end, elementary rules of behaviour have been laid down in the Ethical Code for scientific research in Belgium and the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. Both documents are included in the call for research proposals. The FWO assumes that each researcher has acknowledged these codes from the moment the application is submitted and undertakes to comply with their provisions in all stages of the proposed research. This also applies to their host institutions, (co-)promoters and collaborators involved in FWO research, for whom the applicant bears partial responsibility. If there is any doubt about the applicability or implementation of a provision, the host institution and/or the researcher responsible for the project or fellowship at hand will contact the FWO administration in order to clarify or make concrete arrangements about the relevant provision. 6.4 Ethical issues management In line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights and its Supplementary Protocols, FWO can ensure that all research activities carried out under the proposed programme will be conducted in compliance with fundamental ethical principles of the European H2020 and Belgian legislation. As an applicant, you are therefore requested to indicate in an Ethical Issues Table included in the application form which ethical issues apply to your project and how you will address these ethical issues. All applicants conducting experiments with animals/humans and/or studying ethically sensitive issues must submit their application to the ethical committee of the host institution(s) which will perform an in-depth ethical assessment. This ethical committee will investigate the application and make a recommendation. This recommendation is sent to the FWO prior to the start of the [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellowship. Under no circumstances can the research activity be initiated without the positive advice of the ethical committee. In certain particular cases, involving for example Human Embryonic Stem Cells, advice will be asked from the European Commission services. 6.5 Reporting As an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellow, you must submit a report on your scientific activities to the FWO at the end of each academic year. A copy of this report must be sent to the head of the institution to which they are affiliated. 15

6.6 Evaluation Questionnaire As an OUTGOING [PEGASUS]² MSCA fellow, you have the obligation to complete and submit at the end of the research activities the evaluation questionnaire and two years later follow-up questionnaire provided by the European Commission. The FWO might also invite you to participate in an evaluation survey of the [PEGASUS]² MSCA programme. 6.7 [PEGASUS] 2 meeting The FWO will organize meetings inviting all [PEGASUS]² MSCA beneficiaries and exgrantees by way of information session, and to allow networking. 7. Contacts For your questions concerning the [PEGASUS]² MSCA programme: o Dr. ir. Isabelle Verbaeys, Head international affairs Isabelle.Verbaeys@fwo.be o Dr. Gregory Absillis, Science policy advisor international affairs Gregory.Absillis@fwo.be For your questions concerning the employment conditions o Stephan Duray Personnel and accounting section Stephan.duray@fwo.be 16