Funding Opportunities for Research and Collaboration

1
Funding Opportunities for Research and
Collaboration

• Tatiana Panteli,
• Coventry
• 29 September 2011

2
Programme

• Introduction
• Marie Curie programme background, objectives,
  priorities
• Initial Training Network (ITN)
• Project Examples from Europe
• Pitch your project idea!
• International Research Staff Exchange Scheme
  (IRSES)
• How to apply for the ITN /or IRSES
• Complete Project Outline Forms / Partner Searches
• Final tips from the successful applicants

3
West Midlands European Service Who are we?
4
West Midlands European Service

• The Birmingham office

• The Brussels Office

• Support to the organisations new to or with
  limited experience of European funding
• Advice on various funding programmes
• Project development grants
• Training in the bid writing and project
  management
• Free

• Support to the experienced in EU funding
• Advice on the FP7
• Lobbying
• Policy updates
• Meeting spaces (WM European Centre)
• Service Level Agreement
• Project Management

5
WMES Birmingham aims

• To increase the number and value of successful
  trans-national projects aligned to key regional
  priorities
• To draw together the jigsaw of European
  opportunities and networks across the region into
  a co-ordinated offer of real value to the
  regional organisations

6
Our success so far

• 592 submitted projects worth 65M
• 280 successful projects so far
• 18,8M investment to the WM
• 2000 people trained

7
Trans-national Funds

• Exchange of best practice with partners
• gt Knowledge transfer gt Innovative approaches
• gt Improve services gt Globally
  competitive
• Everyone is eligible
• gt No maps / geographic or sectoral requirements
• gt First timers welcome gt capacity building
  
• We do not take up our share of
• gt Not very competitive

8
Which Funds do we support?
Life Long Learning Vocational
training skills Employability Innovative
learning Policy or delivery
INTERREG Regional level Strategy Policy Exchange
of best practice
LIFE Environment Protecting natural Assets /
species Strategic / policy
Erasmus for Y. Entrepreneurs Work placements in
the successful enterprises
Competitiveness Innovation SMEs ICT Innovative
products, services and processes
Marie Curie Actions SMEs/universities Networks R
esearch/Knowledge Transfer Fellowships
Intelligent Energy Europe Energy
efficiency Renewable energy sources Energy in
transport Integrated initiatives
Daphne III Justice, freedom and security
9
Our approach

• 1. Promote partnership building
• 2. Link project ideas to local problems
• 3. Improve performance

10
Connecting to Success

• 33 Local Authorities
• Regional Development Agency
• Universities
• Chambers of Commerce
• Businesses
• Voluntary organisations

11
How are we doing this?
Training Sessions
Feedback on the application and budget
Linking organisations to the projects
Project Development Workshops

• Project
• Development
• Grants

One-to-one surgery sessions
Working with NCP
Partner Searches
12
Thank you!

• Tatiana Panteli
• European Funding Adviser
• t.panteli_at_wmeuropeanservice.eu
• www.wmeuropeanservice.org

13
Enterprise Europe Network Europe

• Part of international network funded under CIP
• Providing support services for SMEs and research
  organisations
• Offered through a network of 600 organisations
  working in regional consortia
• Over 46 countries involved
• CUE Ltd leads a Midlands consortium including 2
  Chambers of Commerce

14
EEN services for Collaborative Research

• Information and training days
• - NMP Call information day, June 2011
• - How to write a competitive FP7proposal, Sept
  2011
• FP7 partner/project search
• - For Project Coordinators
• - All Calls for Proposals CIP and Framework
• - Introductions made through Network partners

15
Contact details

• www.een-midlands.org.uk
• een-midlands_at_coventry.ac.uk
• 024 7623 6236

16
Your Turn!

• Who you are?
• Your organisation
• Your project idea
• 30 sec max

17
Marie Curie Initial Training Networks UK
National Contact Pointmariecurie-uk_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
18
UK Research Office
To promote effective UK engagement in EU
research, innovation and higher education
activities

• Based in Brussels, established in 1984,
• Staff of 12
• Sponsored by the seven UK Research Councils
• Receives subscriptions from over 140 research
  organisations
• Range of services for sponsors and subscribers
• Research Council policy work
• Brussels liaison
• For more information see www.ukro.ac.uk

UK Research Office
19
UKROs Services
Core subscriber services Open to non-subscribers
Query service (Majority of) training courses and information events
Annual briefing visits (for UK subscribers) Annual Conference
News updates ims.ukro.ac.uk Marie Curie UK National Contact Point
Subscriber website www.ukro.ac.uk/subs European Research Council UK National Contact Point
Meeting room in Brussels British Council European RTD Insight publication
UK Research Office
20
Marie Curie NCP - helpdesk

• Web, email, telephone, visits
• http//www.ukro.ac.uk/mariecurie/index.htm
• mariecurie-uk_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
• Tel [phone]
• Advice on applying for MC actions
• Eligibility
• Application help
• Results
• Contractual issues
• Advice to those with MC contracts
• Social security and tax
• Model agreements between host and fellow
• Contractual issues

UK Research Office MC NCP
21
Framework Programme 7 and the People specific
programme UK NCP for Marie Curiemariecurie-uk
_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
22
Marie Curie Actions

• Objectives and Policy Context
• The People Work Programme 2012 has been
  designed to support the implementation on the
  Europe 2020 Flagship Initiatives Innovation
  Union, Youth on the Move and An Agenda for
  new skills and jobs (2012 Work programme)
• EU 2020 http//ec.europa.eu/eu2020/index_en.ht
  m
• Innovation Union http//ec.europa.eu/research/in
  novation-union/index_en.cfm
• Youth on the Move http//ec.europa.eu/education/
  news/news2540_en.htm

FP7 Marie Curie Actions
23
Policy Background

• FP7 is designed to achieve the EU2020 and
  Barcelona objectives and to complement activities
  in Member States.
• Support to the European Research Area
• Budget of 50 521 million
• Complementarity with other EC programmes
• Competitiveness and Innovation
• Education and Training
• Structural Funds

FP7 Policy Background
24
Who is eligible for funding?

• EU-27
• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria , Cyprus, Czech
  Republic,
• Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
  Greece,
• Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania,
  Luxemburg,
• Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
• Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK
• Associated Countries (FP7)
• Albania, Croatia, Faroe Islands, FYR
  Macedonia,
• Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Montenegro,
  Norway,
• Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Bosnia
  Herzegovina
• except Euratom
  

FP7 Overview
25
Country eligibility
FP7
26
FP7 Specific Programmes
Co-operation Collaborative Research
Framework Programme 7
European Research Council
Marie Curie Actions
Capacities Research Capacity
JRC
EURATOM
27
Marie Curie Actions

• Objectives and Policy Context
• Make Europe more attractive to researchers
• 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
• Trans-national and inter-sectoral mobility
• 4.7 Billion

FP7 Marie Curie Actions
28
Principles

• Skills and competence development at all stages
  of researchers career
• Open to all research areas addressed under the
  Treaty plus possibility of targeted calls
• Strong participation from enterprises
• Reinforce international dimension
• Appropriate gender and work/life balance
• Good working environment, transparent recruitment
  and career development

FP7 Marie Curie Actions
29
Marie Curie ActionsOverview Marie Curie Actions
Host Actions Individual Actions
Initial Training Networks (ITN) IncludingInnovative Doctoral Programmes (new)European Industrial Doctorates (new) Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES) Intra-European Fellowships Incoming International Fellowships Outgoing International Fellowships Career Integration Grants
FP7 Marie Curie Actions

• Co-Fund, Researchers Night

30
MCA Deadlines Budgets
Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways 19/04/2012 80 million
Researchers Night 10/01/2012 4 million
Initial Training Networks (ITN) 12/01/2012 423.23 m
COFUND 15/02/2012 110 million
IRSES 18/01/2012 30 million
Career Integration Grants (CIG) 06/03/2012 40 million
Intra- European Fellowships (IEF) International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) 16/08/2012 120 m 40 m 440 m
FP7 People Marie Curie
31
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)
FP7 Marie Curie Actions
32
Transnational Mobility Requirements

• Must not have been resident in host country for
  more than 12 months in the last 3 years
  immediately before application deadline / date of
  recruitment or secondment
• Mobility rule now applies to all individual
  fellowships no ERG option to remain in same
  country under CIG schemes
• New rule for Career Restart Panel must not have
  been in host country for more than 3 of 5 years
  prior to deadline
• Nationality criteria remains only in IOF scheme,
  in which applicants must either be nationals of a
  MS/AC or have been residing/carrying out main
  activity in MS/AC for 5 years before deadline
• Impact sub-criterion for individual
  fellowshipsbenefit of the mobility to the ERA

FP7 Marie Curie Actions
33
Marie Curie Initial Training Networks UK
National Contact Pointmariecurie-uk_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
34
ITN new in 2012

• Three strands
• Classic multi-partner ITNs maximum 500
  researcher months, max 40 budget to one country
• Innovative Doctoral Programmes (IDP) maximum
  500 researcher months
• European Industrial Doctorates maximum 180
  researcher months
• Budget
• 400 million for ITN/IDP (318m in 2011)
• Ring-fenced extra 20 million for EID

FP7 Marie Curie - ITN
35
What is an ITN?

• Aims
• Offering a series of fellowships to ESR and EXR
  through a Joint Training Programme including
  complementary skills modules focus on
  development of early-stage researchers
• Covers networking costs the organisation of
  short training events
• As an option, can recruit visiting scientists
• ITNs are in
• Defined scientific fields as well as
  inter-disciplinary, new and emerging
  supra-disciplinary fields

FP7 Marie Curie Classic ITN
36
Who can participate in an ITN?

• At least 3 different research groups from Member
  or Associated States
• 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

FP7 Marie Curie Classic ITN
37
Who participates in an ITN?

• An ITN has both industrial and academic partners.
  Industry involvement essential at one of two
  levels
• As a full partner (participants)
• Provider of specific training or secondment
  opportunities (associated partner)
• Guide recommends consortium of 6-10 participants
  maximum 500 researcher months
• Note the third-level option of involvement
  through membership of an advisory board is no
  longer available

FP7 Marie Curie Classic ITN
38
Who participates in an ITN?

• Private sector partners
• must be organisations gaining the majority of
  their revenue through competitive means with
  exposure to commercial markets.
• Industry representatives can participate but do
  not satisfy this criterion
• Think broadly about potential private sector
  partners end users?
• ITN must have agreed quality standards and mutual
  recognition of training/ diplomas

FP7 Marie Curie Classic ITN
39
Who participates in an ITN?

• Private sector partners
• Active involvement in research training programme
  considered essential
• Think about involving them in site visit to
  academic partners, seminars, workshops as well as
  secondments
• As many fellows as possible should benefit
• Level of involvement appropriate to nature of
  training and subject area

FP7 Marie Curie Classic ITN
40
Who can you recruit to an ITN?

• An ITN supports researchers
• With up to 5 years experience (inc. doctoral
  study)
• From all over the world
• For periods of 3 - 36 months (ESRs)
• For periods of up to 24 months (EXRs)
• Researchers can be seconded to other partners for
  up to 30 of recruitment
• Researchers can be of any nationality but must
  comply with the mobility rule

FP7 Marie Curie Classic ITN
41
ITNs key issues

• Ratio ESR/ER
• - The total amount of ESRs and ERs should be
  reasonable and in line with what is recommended
  in the Guide for Applicants (80/20)
• Visiting Scientists
• - Exceptional and duly justified in the context
  of the training programme
• Conferences
• should be proportionate to the proposed research
  training programme
• is an opportunity for the recruiter researchers
  to exchange knowledge with more experienced
  researchers from outside the network.

FP7 Marie Curie Classic ITN
42
ITNs Innovative Doctoral Programmes (IDP)

• 1 Participant (from MS/AC)
• Associated Partners from any country, sector,
  discipline
• Should be intersectoral, international,
  interdisciplinary
• Should equip doctoral candidates with innovative
  skills (both subject-specific and generic)
• Quality and quantity of supervision of doctoral
  candidates key
• No option to recruit experienced researchers
  ESRs only!

FP7 Marie Curie ITN (IDP)
43
ITNs Innovative Doctoral Programmes (IDP)

• Intersectoral dimension might be addressed by
• Inviting researchers working in other sectors to
  deliver courses on entrepreneurship,
  exploitation, etc.
• Mentoring of doctoral candidates by
  researchers/experts from industry/other
  socio-economic actors
• Exposing researchers to various socio-economic
  actors gathered in a single campus or hub
• Offering placement opportunities to young
  researchers to develop their research projects at
  the premises of future employers

FP7 Marie Curie ITN (IDP)
44
ITNs Innovative Doctoral Programmes (IDP)

• International dimension might be addressed by
• Offering possibilities to take courses abroad
• Developing partnerships and/or joint degrees with
  other research institutions or companies in
  different countries
• Interdisciplinary dimension might be addressed
  by
• Proposing common courses or projects to doctoral
  candidates from different disciplines
• Bringing together doctoral candidates in
  multi-disciplinary projects involving different
  teams from the same/different institutions
• Offering possibilities of laboratory rotations or
  visits

FP7 Marie Curie ITN (IDP)
45
ITNs European Industrial Doctorates

• 2 participants 1 academic, 1 private sector
  (MS/AC only)
• Possible associated partners from any country and
  any sector
• Each researcher must
• Be enrolled in a doctoral programme
• Be employed by at least one of the participants
• Spend at least 50 of the time in the private
  sector
• Be jointly supervised by both participants
• 1 to 5 researchers/project
• Mandatory consortium agreement
• No experienced researcher recruitment

FP7 Marie Curie ITN (EID)
46
ITNs European Industrial Doctorates

• Should
• Involve companies in doctoral training
• Develop innovative aptitudes and entrepreneurial
  mindsets
• Improve the employability and career perspectives
  of doctorate holders
• Strengthen co-operation between universities and
  companies
• Enhance the research potential and
  competitiveness of European companies and SMEs

FP7 Marie Curie ITN (EID)
47
ITNs overview of 3 modes
FP7 Marie Curie - ITN
48
ITNs 2011 call info

• Publication date 20 July 2011
• Call deadline 12 January 2012
• Indicative budget 423.23 million
• Indicative timetable
• Results expected 4 months after deadline
• Grants agreement signature from 9 months after
  deadline

FP7 Marie Curie - ITN
49
Results
50
ITNs results of 2010 call
Evaluated proposals Funded proposals Success Rate
LIF 230 19 8.2
ENG 199 14 7.0
PHY 126 8 6.3
CHE 100 7 7.0
ENV 95 7 7.4
SOC 77 6 7.8
MAT 18 1 5.6
ECO 21 1 4.8
TOTAL 863 63 7.4
FP7 Marie Curie - ITN
51
ITNs results of 2011 call
Evaluated proposals Main list Success Rate
LIF 285 27 9.5
ENG 204 19 9.3
PHY 99 9 9.1
CHE 108 9 8.3
ENV 121 11 9.1
SOC 72 7 9.7
MAT 15 1 6.7
ECO 15 1 6.7
TOTAL 919 84 9.1
FP7 Marie Curie - ITN
52
ITNs 2010 results overview

• 63 projects on main list

FP7 Marie Curie - ITN
Overall UK
Total number of coordinators 857 182
Funded coordinators 63 (7.4) 13 (7.1)
Total applicants 7725 1104
Funded applicants 574 (7.4) 87 (7.9)
53
Examples of a funded ITN proposal
54
LECHE Lactase persistence and the early Cultural
History of Europe

• This large (15 researcher, 24 participants)
  European training network explores the origin and
  impact of dairying Europe. The participating
  researchers will draw on the latest genetic
  studies of modern humans and domestic animals to
  identify markers of specific traits, but will
  also travel back in time and search for these in
  ancient remains.
• For more information visit http//sites.google.co
  m/a/palaeome.org/leche

FP7 Marie Curie ITN Example
55
CODDE Coordination for Optimal Decisions in
Dynamic Environments

• Studies the links between sensory input, brain
  activity and motor output by combining
  behavioural techniques, brain imaging, movement
  recording and computational modelling. Provides
  young scientists with a structured programme to
  help develop their professional skills and
  careers. Interdisciplinary techniques include
  behavioural method virtual reality
  computational methods brain imaging movement
  recording.
• For more information visit http//www.optimaldeci
  sions.org

FP7 Marie Curie ITN Example
56
DESIRE  Creative Design for Innovation
in Science and Technology

• Brings together expertise in human computer
  interaction, psychology, arts and design. Aims to
  advance understanding of creative design
  processes applied in the scientific and
  technological problem solving. This will lead to
  the elaboration of theories and models of
  creative processes and methods, techniques and
  systems to support both creative design processes
  and creativity training.
• For more information visit http//www.desirenetwo
  rk.eu

FP7 Marie Curie ITN Example
57
ELDEL Enhancing Literacy Development in European
Languages

• Overlapping cross-linguistic studies (known as
  Workpackages 1-6) to reveal the language-specific
  and language-general factors affecting literacy
  development. Partners with expertise in
  developmental, educational and clinical
  psychology, experimental psycholinguistics,
  speech and language therapy, and an industrial
  partner specialising in the creation of software
  for the assessment and training of literacy
  skills. There are a total of 7 Partners.
• For more information visit http//www.eldel.eu/we
  lcome

FP7 Marie Curie ITN Example
58
Financial information
59
Financial Information ITNs

• Category 1 Monthly Living Allowance
• 38,000 per ESR/year x country co-efficient
  (134.4 for UK!)
• 58,500 per ER/year x country co-efficient
• Category 2 Mobility Allowance
• 1000/700 (family/not) per researcher month x
  country co-efficient (flat rate)
• Category 3 Contribution to Training and Research
  Costs
• 1,800 per researcher month (multi ITN)
• 1,200 per researcher month (EID and IDP)
• Flat rate category
• Category 4 Management Activities
• Maximum 10 of total EU contribution (real costs
  category)
• Category 5 Overheads
• 10 of direct costs
• Flat-rate cost category

FP7 Marie Curie - Rates
60
Tips on writing your ITN proposal UK National
Contact Pointmariecurie-uk_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
61
Process Overview
Call opens
One/two stage e-submission
Eligibility Check
Individual Evaluation
FP7 Submission and Evaluation
Panel Review/ Consensus
Feedback (ESR)
Post-evaluation Ranking
Negotiation of Proposals
Report to PC
62
Process timetable
Publication of call 20-07-2011
Deadline for submission of proposals 12-01-2012 at 170000, Brussels local time
Evaluation of proposals April-2012
Evaluation Summary Reports sent to proposal coordinators ("initial information letter") May-2012
Invitation letter to successful coordinators to launch grant agreement negotiations with REA services June 2012
Letter to unsuccessful applicants From August-2012
Signature of first grant agreements From September-2012
MCA Submission Evaluations
63
Who do I need in my consortium?

• Depends on topic
• Partners must match activities in proposal
• Appropriate balance of sectors industry,
  academia, civil society, user groups, etc
• Industry considered essential but others could
  also be important for the topic
• Consideration of what the purpose of the scheme
  is RESEARCH TRAINING
• NOTE no more than 40 of funding should go to
  one country
• EU dimension/ added-value!

Building your consortium
64
What is EU added-value?

• How does the EU benefit from funding your project
  and why is it required at the EU level?
• ST
• Expertise from other EU countries
• Access to data from other countries
• Different cultural and social perspectives
• Research/training too costly for one country
• Implementation
• Avoid having one partner dominate
  research/training activities and budget
• Appropriate geographic spread for that project
• Impact
• Improve competitiveness, health and environment
  of EU
• Feed into EU-wide policy objectives and their
  development
• Decrease fragmentation and duplication

Building your consortium
65
Admin information in

• PART A provides participant details and the
  information for the budget estimation
• A1 Proposal information (abstract, acronym,
  evaluation panel etc)
• A2 Information on host organisation.
  Coordinator is Participant 1 (not for associated
  partners)
• A3 Not for ITNs
• A4 Number of fellows. Includes details for
  seconded and recruited researchers
• A5 details on associated partners including
  their role in the project

FP7 Marie Curie Your Proposal
66
Your project is mainly defined in .

• PART B addresses the evaluation criteria
• which vary according to MCA
• and have different weightings and thresholds
• General structure of Part B for ITNs and IAPPs
  is
• Cover Page, Table of Contents
• S T Quality
• Training/Transfer of Knowledge
• Implementation
• Impact

FP7 Marie Curie Your Proposal
67
Weightings and thresholds for ITNs
Weighting Threshold
Scientific quality of the project 30 3
Training 30 4
Implementation 20 3
Impact 20 4
Overall threshold of 70 applies Overall threshold of 70 applies Overall threshold of 70 applies
FP7 Marie Curie ITNs
68
S T Quality criteria

• ST objectives of the research programme,
  including in terms of inter/multi-disciplinary,
  intersectoral and/ or newly emerging
  supra-disciplinary fields
• Scientific quality of the research programme
• Appropriateness of research methodology
• Originality and innovative aspect of the research
  programme - Knowledge of the state-of-the-art
• Contribution of the private sector and possible
  other socio-economic actors

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
69
ST Quality positive feedback

• Excellent overview of state-of-the-art in this
  research area
• Precise and detailed research work plan
• Scientific quality and originality of the
  proposal are excellent
• Research method is appropriate and well described
• The project is timely and novel
• A series of well defined and relevant project
  objectives
• The multidisciplinary is well demonstrated

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
70
ST Quality negative feedback

• Interdisciplinary aspect of the project is not
  very strong
• Clear references to state-of-the-art and
  scientific originality are missing
• The final research outputs and the practical
  results of the training programme should be more
  clearly described
• Role of the industrial partners is not well
  explained
• A precise description of the research methodology
  is missing

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
71
Training criteria

• Quality of the training programme
• Contribution and relevance of private sector
  training
• Transferable skills offered Management,
  Communication, IPR, Ethics, Grant writing,
  Commercial exploitation of results, Research
  Policy, entrepreneurship, etc. .
• Qulaity of Supervision (new sub-criteria!)
• Importance and timeliness of the training needs
  (e.g. multidisciplinary, intersectoral, and newly
  emerging supra-disciplinary fields)

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
72
Training criteria

• For ITN / IDP
• Meaningful exposure of each researcher to another
  sector particularly secondments
• Adequate combination of local specialist training
  with network-wide activities
• For EID
• Appropriate time spent by the ESR in each sector
• Adequate supervision arrangements and combination
  of local specialist training with wide training
  activities

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
73
Training positive feedback

• The training programme is very well structured
  and is fully consistent with the research
  programme
• Local and network wide training will be provided
• Complementary skills training is well thought of
• The training topics are well identified and
  defined
• The role of the participants are well described
  and exploitation of the network potential is
  adequately considered and discussed

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
74
Training negative feedback

• The role of the Supervisory Board should be
  better defined
• Reason for the need for Visiting Scientist should
  be given
• Description of the training project for each
  researcher is too vague
• Average number of ESRs per partner seems
  exaggerated
• The role of the associate partners and their
  participation in the training events should be
  more clearly defined

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
75
Quality of training - tips

• Training in research methods and techniques
• Personal Development Plan
• Complementary skills training ethics, research
  management
• Transferable skills training cf Roberts
• Graduate School Provision including RC courses
• Conferences, seminars, public fora et
• Supervision!

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
76
Implementation criteria

• Capacities (expertise / human resources /
  facilities /infrastructure) to achieve the
  research and adequate task distribution and
  schedule
• Adequate exploitation of complementarities and
  synergies among partners in terms of research and
  training
• Private sector involvement at the highest
  possible level appropriate to the research topic
  sufficient evidence of commitment
• Non-ICPC participation essential to the
  objectives of the research training programme?

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
77
Implementation criteria

• Networking and dissemination of best practice
  among partners. Clarity of the plan for
  organising training events (workshops,
  conferences, training courses)
• Appropriateness of the overall management of the
  training programme (responsibilities, rules for
  decision-making)
• Clarity of recruitment strategy (incl timetable)
• Competitive international recruitment
• Equal opportunities
• In light of Charter and Code principles

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
78
European Charter and Code

• European Charter for Researchers addresses
• Roles and responsibilities
• Entitlements
• of researchers and their employers or funding
  organisations.
• Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of
  Researchers aims to
• improve recruitment and make selection procedures
  fairer and more transparent
• proposes different means of judging merit

MCA Submission Evaluations
79
In endorsing the principles, we, the
signatories, hereby adopt the principles of the
European Charter for Researchers And Code of
Practice for the Recruitment of Researchers UK
Concordat - http//www.researchconcordat.ac.uk
MCA Submission Evaluations

• If principles of the revised Concordat are
  adopted by an institution then they have also
  adopted the principles of the Charter and Code
• However, it is an institutional decision to
  become a signatory to the Charter and Code

80
Implementation positive feedback

• The type and frequency of meetings seem
  appropriate
• The industrial partners play an essential and
  active role both in the training and research
  aspects of the proposal
• The recruitment strategy is clearly defined
• The management structure is clear and appropriate
  to the proposed project
• The plan for dissemination of project results is
  well done

FP7 ITN Implementation
81
Implementation negative feedback

• The industry involvement is poor in comparison to
  the industrial importance of the project theme
  and potential results
• Description of a research PhD theme for each ESR
  is not provided
• More details should be provided on the milestones
  and deliverables within the workplan
• Limited rules for decision making

FP7 ITN Implementation
82
Impact criteria

• Contribution of the proposed training programme
  to
• Structure training at doctoral level with the
  acquisition of skills needed in both the public
  and private sectors
• Improvement of career prospects
• Stimulation of creativity and entrepreneurial
  thinking
• Contribution of the training programme to the
  policy objective of structuring the initial
  research training capacity at European level
  (through establishing longer-term collaborations
  and/or lasting structured training programmes
  between the partners organisations)

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
83
Impact criteria

• The contribution of the training programme
  towards the policy objective of enhancing
  public-private sector collaborations in terms of
  research training
• Where appropriate, mutual recognition by all
  partners of the training acquired, including
  training periods in the private sector
• Where appropriate, plans for exploitation of
  results
• Impact of the proposed outreach activities

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
84
Impact positive feedback

• Clear impact of the involvement of visiting
  scientists
• Good prospects for potential long term
  collaborations
• The involvement of industrial partners will be
  mutually beneficial for the companies and for the
  ESRs/ERs
• The project can offer great career opportunities
  to both ESR and ER involved
• The training proposed by the network is such that
  probably no single institution in Europe would be
  capable of providing it on its own.

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
85
Impact negative feedback

• The proposed impact, as described in the field
  of science is not convincing
• The number of visiting scientists is too high and
  not appropriate for the proposed programme
• The lack of training in an industrial context is
  a major drawback
• The description of the impact on the scientific
  community outside the network should be
  elaborated upon

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
86
Impact tips

• Think about impact on different levels, e.g.
• Personal what will researcher gain beyond that
  available at single institution?
• European address fragmentation, common courses,
  sustainability of collaboration, including that
  with private sector
• Discipline what is available in single country?
  Why EU level needed? Why need for trained
  researchers in area?
• Others?

FP7 - Marie Curie ITN criteria
87
ITNs final tips

• Industrial participation is key
• Addressed under all four criteria and has been
  strengthened with respect to training. Aspects
  that are assessed under more than one evaluation
  criteria will count under each of these criteria
• Evaluation criteria
• Address thoroughly make sure you cover each one
  do not bury in text
• Clarity of presentation
• Present case clearly use tables, diagrams and
  summaries where appropriate
• Different schemes
• Make sure you have addressed the requirements of
  the relevant strand!

FP7 Marie Curie - ITN
88
Key documents
Call Fiche Focus
Work Programme Focus
Guide for Applicants Preparation and submission
EPSS Guide Preparation and submission
Rules on Submission and Evaluation, Guide for Evaluators Background
Model Grant Agreement Background
Financial, negotiation, reporting and IPR guidelines Background
FP7, Specific Programme Text Background
Other policy documents Background
FP7 Submission and Evaluation
89
Top tips preparation

• Clarify your own goals for participation
• Read all Call documentation (ie, GfA and WP)
• - Also consider relevant EU policy documents
• Fully appreciate the evaluation criteria
• Discuss with and meet potential partners
• Use appropriate partnership (including balance of
  budget and activities)
• Set aside enough time
• Research previous and current projects
• Work with your institution

FP7 - Essentials
90
Top tips - application

1. Register in EPSS (Coordinator)
2. Put yourself in the shoes of the evaluator
3. Write clearly and concisely
4. Stick to formatting rules (page limits, font,
   etc)
5. Include well worked out plans
6. Outline any Plan B (risk analysis)
7. Use tables and diagrams where appropriate
8. Ask someone to read through your proposal
9. Make sure final version is submitted!

FP7 - Essentials
91
Further Information

• UKRO NCP website
• http//www.ukro.ac.uk/mariecurie/index.htm
• Queries on the schemesmariecurie-uk_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
  
• Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
• Other useful websites
• http//cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/home_en.html

FP7 Marie Curie Actions
92
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//ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/rights/inde
  x
• UK HE Sector analysis http//www.rcuk.ac.uk/
  news/gapanalysis.htm
• Euraxess Mobility Portal
• http//ec.europa.eu/euraxess
• Queries
• mariecurie-uk_at_bbsrc.ac.uk

FP7 People Marie Curie
93
How to become a successful ITN applicant - a West
Midlands perspective
Maria A Heckl Department of Mathematics Keele
University Staffordshire ST5 5BG U.K. m.a.heckl_at_k
eele.ac.uk
94
1. Rationale of Initial Training Networks (ITN)
ITN Multi-disciplinary network across Europe
collaborating on a specified research
project. Involves partners from universities,
research organisations, industry. The focus is on
research training of young people. The young
researchers have to be mobile and cannot work in
their native country. They are typically employed
for 3 years and finish with a PhD. Post-docs can
also be involved. Training is provided through
hands-on research, workshops, modules for
complementary skills.
95
2. The topic of my network (LIMOUSINE) Combustion
instabilities
industrial combustor (Siemens SGT 100 gas
turbine)
generic combustor
96
Features of this topic
Past and present research area of mine (applied
mathematics). Combines analytical, numerical and
experimental aspects. Combines several
disciplines applied mathematics mechanical
engineering thermodynamics control
theory etc. Concern for industry, in
particular power generation with gas
turbines. Touches on environmental issues. Has
received EC funding in the past.
97
3. Steps to build a network
Choice of research project Identify core topic
by brainstorming with one or two colleagues from
a complementary discipline and a different EU
country. Look at earlier EC projects, and focus
on some new key elements to make the new project
distinctly different. Identify issues for
industry.
Choice of partners (they need to be responsive
and efficient) Select existing colleagues/contacts
. Seek personal recommendations from trusted
colleagues. Face-to-face meetings with new
contacts (no risks with unfamiliar
partners). Additional requirements for industrial
partners Interest in the project. Staff and
facilities to supervise a PhD student. Broad base
of knowledge.
98
Partners in the LIMOUSINE network
Partner (academic) country expertise
Keele University Applied Mathematics UK Analytical modelling of thermo-acoustics
University of Twente Thermal Engineering NL Modelling and experiments on acoustics and combustion
Imperial College Mechanical Engineering UK Laser diagnostics PIV, flame front tracking
Brno Univ. of Technology Thermodyn. Environm. Eng. Czech Republic Dynamics of liquid fuel combustion
University of Zaragoza Fluid Mechanics / LITEC Spain Combustion dynamics of diffusion flames
99
Partner (research org.) country expertise
CERFACS CFD Team France Large Eddy Simulation and fluid-structure interaction
DLR Combustion Germany Numerical simulation of oscillating flames and transient heat flux
Partner (industrial) country expertise
Ingenieurbüro für Thermo-Akustik Germany Active control of combustion instabilities
Siemens Power Generation Germany Gas turbine design, manufacture and operation
ANSYS UK Numerical simulation of fluid and structure mechanics
Electrabel NL and Belgium Operation and maintenance of gas turbine power plants
Sulzer Elbar NL Repair and manufacture of gas turbine parts
100
4. How I got involved
In 2006, I organised a structured session (on
theoretical aspects of combustion instabilities)
for an international congress on sound and
vibration.
Through this, I got to know a colleague who
organised a session on a similar topic
(engineering aspects of combustion instabilities).
We applied to the Royal Society for an
International Joint Project, which gave us
funding over two years for regular exchange
visits.
In the first year, we designed a generic
combustor, which became the core of the LIMOUSINE
project.
In the second year, we collaborated on our
application to the EC, mainly by face-to-face
meetings funded by the Royal Society.
101
Challenges Misunderstandings can occur because
different disciplines and different countries
have different cultures. Face-to-face
discussions are vital for the proposal
preparation. Visiting potential partners requires
time, mobility and funds. Describing the project
in only 30 pages is not easy. Copy/paste from
earlier proposals does not work.
Benefits ITNs are a good opportunity to set up
and run exciting research projects. The funding
is attractive ( 60 000 over 3 years to cover
training expenses of a PhD student). ITNs are
multidisciplinary and give insights into other
areas. The international aspect is very
stimulating.
102
International Research Staff Exchange Scheme
(IRSES)

• Mandy Heard
• West Midlands European Service

29th September 2011
103

• Programme today
• IRSES what this is all about
• IRSES application process
• How to prepare a successful proposal
• You and your priorities.

104
West Midlands European Service
105
West Midlands European Service Who are we?
106
West Midlands European Service

• The Birmingham office

• The Brussels Office

• Support to the experienced in EU funding
• Advice on the FP7
• Lobbying
• Policy updates
• Meeting spaces (WM European Centre)
• Service Level Agreement
• Project Management
• Dissemination Partner

• Support to the organisations new to or with
  limited experience of European funding
• Advice on various funding programmes
• Project development grants
• Training in the bid writing and project
  management
• Free

107
WMES Birmingham aims

• To increase the number and value of successful
  trans-national projects aligned to key regional
  priorities
• To draw together the jigsaw of European
  opportunities and networks across the region into
  a co-ordinated offer of real value to the
  regional organisations

108
Our success so far

• 592 submitted projects worth 65M
• 280 successful projects so far
• 18,8M investment to the WM
• 2000 people trained

109
Which Funds do we support?
Life Long Learning Vocational
training skills Employability Innovative
learning Policy or delivery
INTERREG Regional level Strategy Policy Exchange
of best practice
LIFE Environment Protecting natural Assets /
species Strategic / policy
Erasmus for Y. Entrepreneurs Work placements in
the successful enterprises
Competitiveness Innovation SMEs ICT Innovative
products, services and processes
Marie Curie Actions SMEs/universities Networks R
esearch/Knowledge Transfer Fellowships
Intelligent Energy Europe Energy
efficiency Renewable energy sources Energy in
transport Integrated initiatives
Daphne III Justice, freedom and security
110
Marie curie People actions

• General Overview

111
FP7 Programme
4 Programmes Cooperation, Ideas, People,
Capacities ( Joint Research Centre Euratom)
112

• Marie Curie Objectives
• Structuring training, mobility and career
  development for researchers
• Develop European human resources potential in RD
• Stimulate people to enter researcher profession
• Attracting retain researchers from around the
  world
• Employment contracts with full social rights
• Addressed to researchers at all stages of their
  careers
• International prestige

113
Open to third-country nationals

• 1. Initial training
• Networks for early stage researchers

• 2. Life long training and career development
• Intra European Fellowships
• Career Integration Grants
• Co-funding of national programmes

• 3. Industry dimension
• Industry-academia partnership and pathways

• 4. World Fellowships
• Outgoing fellowships
• Incoming fellowships
• International Research Staff Exchange Scheme

5. Specific actions Such as Researchers Night
114
Applicant Applicant Applicant Applicant Applicant
Recruited Researcher profile Individual Fellowships Industry Research Organisations Research Institutions
Recruited Researcher profile Post-graduates lt 4 years ITN
Recruited Researcher profile Post-doc gt 4 years IOF IEF IAPP IRSES
Recruited Researcher profile Senior post-doc gt 10 years IIF CIG
115
IRSES

• International Research Staff Exchange Scheme

116

• Purpose of the programme
• Strengthen research partnerships between EU and
  non EU research organisations.
• Staff exchange and networking activities.
• Establishment or reinforcing of long-term
  collaboration.

117

• Size of the consortium
• Min 3 partners, but no maximum size
• Duration
• Project 24-48 months
• Partners
• Public or private non-profit research
  organisations
• Lead partner
• Must be from EU or AC

118

• Who can participate?
• Early stage researchers
• Experienced researchers
• Technical and managerial staff
• How long is the secondment?
• max. 12 months (can be split)
• Less than 1 month stay should be well justified.

119

• Typical Activities
• Joint research
• Training
• Joint workshops
• Seminars
• Networking
• Transfer of Knowledge
• Complementarity and synergies between partners
  are critical

120

• IRSES Eligible Countries
• Countries with EU agreements on ST
• Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada,
  China, Chile, Egypt, India, Japan, Jordan,
  Rep. of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand,
  Russia, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine,
  United States
• Countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy
  (ENP)
• Eastern Europe Central Asia (EECA) Armenia,
  Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova,
  Ukraine
• Mediterranean Partner Countries (MCP) Algeria,
  Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco,
  Palestinian-administrated areas, Syrian Arab
  Rep., Tunisia
• International Cooperation Partner Countries
  (ICPC) than can receive funding
• http//ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/index.cfm?lgen
  pgcountries

121

• IRSES Participation rules
• - Partnership min. 2 independent EU/AC
  non-profit research organisations of at least 2
  different countries and one or more organisations
  in a eligible third country (ST agreement and
  Neighbourhood policy)
• - Coordinator from EU MS/AC
• - Duration of the Exchange Programme 24- 48
  months
• - Any research topic is eligible (except EURATOM)

122

• Scientific Panels
• Chemistry (CHE)
• Social Science and Humanities (SOC)
• Economic Science (ECO)
• Engineering Information Science (ENG)
• Environment Geosciences (ENV)
• Life Sciences (LIF)
• Mathematics (MAT)
• Physics (PHY)

123

• IRSES Financial rules
• Staff are seconded (maintain their employment and
  salary)
• Community contribution for EU MS/AC partners
  fixed 1900/person/month (incl. travel,
  subsistence)
• Extra 200 for long distance countries ICPC and
  Neighbourhood policy countries Community
  contribution is envisaged
• Exchanges MS/AClt-gtMS/AC, non-ICPCgtMS/AC,
  ICPClt-gtICPC are not eligible for Community
  funding (own resources)
• Average requested budget ca. 160.000
• Range 13.000 - 1.044.000

124

• Financing (Industrialised Countries)
• Secondment of outgoing staff members (from
• EU/AC towards these countries) are eligible for
• funding.
• Australia, Canada, Japan, Rep. of Korea, New
  Zealand, USA

125

• Financial Reporting
• X No reporting on actual costs, no evidence
  required
• v Results only (scientific and number of
  person-months exchanged)

126
Statistics
Proposals received Available Budget Proposals Funded
2008 73 25M 56
2009 178 30M 107
2010 172 31,350M 89
2011 189 30M 85
Number of proposals recommended for funding
127

• Example 1
• A French and a Swiss research institute
  propose an exchange programme with a university
  in Tunisia, coordinated by a Tunisian partner.
• Eligible but the coordinator must be an EU
  MS/AC research organisation
• Example 2
• A Dutch research centre and Estonian University
  propose an exchange programme with the USA.
  Staff from the US partner will be seconded to
  Estonia and the US and Estonian Staff will be
  seconded to the Netherlands and the US.
• Eligible. Estonian staff going to Netherlands and
  vice-versa are ineligible for funding. US costs
  to the EU must be covered from own resources

128

• Example 3 EASTWESTFOOD
• The joint activities in this project will take
  place within four
• areas of collaboration, organized in four work
  packages 1) Healthy Diets in East and West, 2)
  Dairy Technology, 3) Metabolic Engineering and
  4) Business Economics and Entrepreneurship
• Partners Denmark Netherlands India
• Duration 48 months
• Funding 127.800

129

• Example 4 Laser Nanoscale Manufacturing
• Staff exchange on researching and developing new
  
• maskless laser nanoscale manufacturing
  technologies for
• low cost, simple and high speed manufacturing of
  nano
• structured surfaces and components including
  periodic
• structures.
• Partners Finland, UK, China
• Duration 36 months
• Funding 347.400

130

• Example 5 Novel medical adsorbents for
  extracorporeal treatment of life threatening
  conditions
• This program gives the opportunity to cultivate a
  high scientific quality consortium consisting of
  2 European and 1 third country academic
  institute, with the aim to sustain and create new
  collaborative partnerships between EU partners
  and Ukraine, and transfer knowledge and
  technologies in one of the most exciting fields
  of modern biomaterial science. Focusing on the
  development of extracorporeal methods for toxin
  removal, for the treatment of many life
  threatening conditions and chronic conditions,
  that result in a low quality of patient life.
• Partners UK, France and Ukraine
• Duration 48 months
• Funding 113.400

131

• IRSES success rate (2011)
• 46

132
Application process

• IRSES

133
IRSES new call for proposal http//ec.europa.eu/re
search/participants/portal
134
Presenting your proposal

• Part A

• Part B

• Administrative information
• (description of work, contact
• details, partner
• Characteristics etc).

• Your Proposal
• Including Science and Technical content
• Uploaded by the lead
• partner to EPSS

Online forms on EPSS
135

• Part A
• A1 Snapshot of your project (complete by the
  lead partner)
• A2 Partner Organisations (completed by each
  participant)
• A4 Funding request

136

• Part B
• B1 Quality of Exchange Programme
  (complementarities/synergies)
• B2 Transfer of Knowledge (mutual benefits)
• B3 Implementation (management)
• B4 Impact (collaboration, ERA)

137
IRSES Evaluated criteria and thresholds
138
Evaluation feedback

• IRSES

139
Partnership is homogeneous and of good quality in
the addressed topic. There are good
complimentarities/synergies between the partners.
Each partner contributes to one or more The
scientific quality of the partners and their
experience in international cooperation are very
good.Research and training objectives are
clearly stated and motivated.

• STRENGTHS QUALITY OF THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

140
The one month secondments of ESRs are too short
to both learn new knowledge and pursue the
planned research tasksProject Coordinators are
not clearly identified for all participantsScien
tific quality of the exchange programme is not
fully demonstrated, as the work is more a
technical natureThe deliverables are mostly
comprised of reports and papers

• WEAKNESSES QUALITY OF THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

141
The project clearly has the potential for a ToK
within the addressed topic, with benefits for
both regions involved.The Knowledge Transfer is
strongly supported by several training activities
(workshops and schools) with special attention to
their organisation and management.There is a
good degree of integration and sharing in the
execution of the work packages.The planned
exchanges can bring significant added value. All
the partners are expected to learn new expertise

• STRENGTHS TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE

142
The plans for transfer of knowledge toward the
scientific community through publication or
international conferences and its sustainability
are not sufficiently describedThe roles and
benefits of the ESRs are only generally
describedThe number and role of the staff to be
exchanged is not fully justified in light of the
work-plan proposed. The durations of the
secondments are quite short to be useful

• WEAKNESSES TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE

143
The partners have good capacities and the human
resources to carry out the proposed
activitiesThe management structure is very
clear and well-suited for the exchange
programme.State of the art facilities and
infrastructures are most appropriate to meet the
requirements of the planned cooperation.Good
planned measures for supporting researchers

• STRENGTHS IMPLEMENTATION

144
The planned support to the incoming and outgoing
personnel is not sufficiently detailedA risk
management procedure could have been provided due
to the large number of milestonesThe
implementation plan is not fully justified, as no
exchanges take place at the second half of the
year

• WEAKNESSES IMPLEMENTATIO