How to Write Successful Marie Curie Proposals

Marie Curie Schemes How to write successful Marie Curie Proposals Dr Conor O’Carroll Page 1 Marie Curie Schemes Presentation Content • • Overview of the Marie Curie Schemes • Do’s and Don’ts • Eligibility (Research experience & nationality) • Evaluation of Proposals • Writing the Proposal • Roadmap • Page 2 Marie Curie Schemes Framework Programme – the budget over time 20 € billion 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1984-1987 1987-1991 1990-1994 1994-1998 1998-2002 2002-2006 Ireland €44m €88m €183m 13.22 €125m 14.96 17.5 5.39 3.75 6.6 Page 3 Marie Curie Schemes Framework Programme 2002-2006 EC  INTEGRATING EUROPEAN RESEARCH  STRUCTURING THE ERA Research and innovation  Human resources  Research infrastructures  Science and society  16 270 13 345 2 605 290 1 580 655 80  STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF ERA EURATOM TOTAL FP6 BUDGET 320 1 230 17 500 Page 4 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie is a major source of framework funding for Ireland • • • • Marie Curie represents 9% of Total FP6 budget however… FP6 is 17% increase over FP5 – Marie Curie is 60% increase of FP5 Ireland’s total in FP5~€120m, Marie Curie~€23m=19% This means that Marie Curie generates research funding equal to that of the big Thematic Programmes with double the budget!!!! • • No partners Easy contract negotiation and management Page 5 Marie Curie Schemes History of Fellowships Community fellowships Fellowships/year (average) 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Training networks Marie Curie fellowships -87 ) -91 ) -94 ) -98 ) 6885) (84 (87 (90 (94 m( FP1 FP2 FP3 FP4 Eur ato FP5 (98 -02 ) Page 6 Marie Curie Schemes Human Resources and Mobility in FP6 Excellence Chairs Grants Awards tu Re Advanced Training Transfer of Knowledge Initial Training Individual Fellowships rn and Re int atio egr nG t ran s Page 7 Host Fellowships for Transfer of Knowledge Research Training Networks Conferences and Training Courses Host Fellowships for Early-Stage Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie - Major Features Continuity and Evolution • Lifelong research training • Bottom Up programme • All of the Sciences, Economic Human & Social Sciences (+Research Management & Ethics for Host Driven Schemes) • Marie Curie label generalised • Opening of schemes to 3rd country nationals • No age limit, but experience criterion • Reintegration measure (including incentives to return to Europe) • Excellence promotion Page 8 Marie Curie Schemes FP6 – the competition! • EU Member States – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK • EEA Countries – Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein • Association Agreement Countries – Israel (pending) • Candidate Countries – Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey • Third Countries – all other countries (inc Switzerland), almost! Page 9 SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 2002-2006 Participation in Marie Curie International Fellowships - Structuring the European Research Area - Marie Curie Schemes Data valid: 1.11.2002 European Union/ Associated States (1)/ Overseas Countries & Territories Industrialised Countries and Territories (2) Developing Countries (2) Emerging Economies (2) Transition Economies (2) Currently no cooperation (1) Some agreements are not yet in force (2) Cooperation agreements with certain countries have to be renewed The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of data included in this map and accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any consequence of its use. The boundaries shown do not imply on the part of the European Commission any judgment on the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. European Commission, Page 10 DG RTD-06 & RTD-D5 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Do’s and Don’ts • Read the Guide for Proposers (application form!) • http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/calls.cfm • Note that there have been updates! • Follow the instructions to the letter! • Use common sense! • IEF’s do include confidential referee’s assessment!! • Electronic submission – don’t!!!! Page 11 Marie Curie Schemes Eligibility - Research Experience • Early Stage – Starting a research career, i.e. postgrad – No PhD or <4 years research after B.Sc. • Experienced – PhD or 4 years research experience after primary degree • Do not have to have PhD at deadline! – Must have at latest 8 months after Page 12 Marie Curie Schemes Eligibility - Nationality • Cannot be a national of host country unless – European researcher working outside EU for 4 in the last 5 years – Dual nationality and have not resided there in last 5 years – International organisation – Return and reintegration grants • Must not have been resident in host country for more that 12 months in the last 3 years immediately before application (Individual actions) or start of work (Host actions) • Note that Excellence Team leaders are exempt! Page 13 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie - Morning Schemes Covered this morning • Intra European Fellowships • Outgoing International Fellowships • Incoming International Fellowships • Reintegration Grants • Excellence Teams • Excellence promotion • Other opportunities (Conferences, Host Fellowships, Prizes, Infrastructure) Page 14 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie – Evaluation of Proposals • Evaluation by competent experts in the field • Need to address all of the issues to maximise scores • Total score for a proposal is 100% • Some areas require a minimum score (threshold) • In many cases the science scores less than 50%! • You must focus on the objectives of the activity to be successful • Look carefully at the score matrix Page 15 Marie Curie Schemes Evaluation Weightings and Thresholds Activity W=Weighting(1) T= Threshold Content of the Proposal / Project Training Activities / Transfer of Knowledge Quality of the Host Quality of the Researchers Management and Feasibility Relevance to the objectives of the specific activity Added value to the Community (1) (2) (3) Intra European International Incoming International Outgoing International Reintegration European Reintegration Excellence Teams W 15 T - W 15 T - W 15 T - W 15 T - W 15 T - W 15 T 4 15 15 15 5 25 10 3 4 - 15 15 15 5 15 20 3 4 - 15 15 (3) 15 5 15 20 3 4 - 5 15 20 10 25 10 3 - 5 15 20 10 15 20(2) 3 - N/A 10 15 15 25 20 N/A 4 - W = Weighting expressed as a percentage, T = Threshold score out of 5 Researchers applying for a European Return and Re-integration fellowship will be awarded the maximum mark for Added Value to the Community if returning to the country of their nationality; This weighting will be split, when appropriate, between the 3rd country institution and the European host. Page 16 Marie Curie Schemes Individual Fellowships Intra-European Fellowship • Training through research at a European host • Post Doctoral level fellowship (>4yr experience/PhD) • European Union or Associated Country fellows • Joint application fellow and host • 1 to 2 Year duration • Possibility of a re-integration grant at the end Page 17 Marie Curie Schemes Individual Fellowships Incoming and Outgoing Third Country Fellowships • Outgoing - up to 2 + 1 years (>4yrs exper.or PhD) – EU and Ass. Country fellows to 3rd country – mandatory return element • Incoming - 1 to 2 years (>4yrs experience or PhD) – Promising researchers from 3rd Country – possibility of return grant for emerging economies Page 18 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Re-integration Grants European Incoming • European researchers who have been outside Europe for 5 years • Up to 2 years in duration Following a 2 year fellowship • EU and Ass. Country fellows following a 2 year fellowship • Grant - back to country of origin or elsewhere Page 19 Marie Curie Schemes Proposal Structure IEF, OIF and IIF • B1 Scientific Quality of the Project • • • • B1.1. B1.2. B1.3. B1.4. Research topic Project objectives Scientific originality and Innovation Research method • • • • • • • • B2 Quality of the research training B3 Quality of the host • B2.1. • B2.2. Scientific and training expertise of the host Quality of infrastructures B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 Quality of the Researcher Management and Feasibility Relevance to the objectives of the activity Added Value to the Community Previous proposals and contracts Other Issues Page 20 Marie Curie Schemes IEF - Evaluation Weightings and Thresholds Intra European Fellowships W B1 B2 B3 B4 Scientific Quality of the Project Quality of the research training Quality of the host Quality of the Researcher 15 15 15 15 T 3 4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 Management and Feasibility Relevance to the objectives of the activity Added Value to the Community Previous proposals and contracts Other Issues 5 25 10 - - Page 21 Marie Curie Schemes IEF - Evaluation Intra European Fellowships B1 Scientific Quality of the Project •Usual stuff •Training objectives •Benefit for development of an independent research career. New expertise •Complementary training and skills •Usual stuff •Usual stuff • Workplan •Milestones •Intellectual Property B2 Quality of the research training B3 B4 Quality of the host Quality of the Researcher B5 Management and Feasibility Relevance to the objectives of the activity B6 B7 Added Value to the Community • Benefit to EU that will be gained from undertaking the project • Fellowship contribution to enhance EU scientific excellence • Long-term potential benefit of the training/mobility period •Admin stuff •Ethics, education outreach etc. B8 B9 Previous proposals and contracts Other Issues Page 22 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Excellence Grants • Marie Curie Excellence Grants up to 4 years for individual researchers – To set up or extend teams of the highest level – Leading edge or interdisciplinary research – Applicants can remain in own country – Applicants must be in current institution for <1 year at deadline or move to new institution – Costs can cover applicant’s + team salaries, equipment, consumables, travel, overheads (€800k-€1.6m). Page 23 Marie Curie Schemes Excellence Grants - Proposal Structure • B1. SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE PROJECT – B1.1 Importance and relevance of the research topic – B1.2 Research topic /Quality of the research – B1.3 Potential for promoting innovation • • • B2. QUALITY OF THE HOST B3. QUALITY OF THE TEAM LEADER B4. MANAGEMENT AND FEASIBILITY – – – – B4.1 Organisational Management B4.2 Selection and Management of Team B4.3 Dissemination B4.4 Financial Management • • • • B5. B6. B7. B8. RELEVANCE TO THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION ADDED VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY PREVIOUS PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS OTHER ISSUES Page 24 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Chairs • Marie Curie Chairs up to 3 years – Top level teaching/research appointments – In particular for researchers who wish to resume their career in Europe – Researchers of any nationality may apply – Grant can be used to pay salary, build team etc.. (€450-750k) Page 25 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Chairs - Proposal Structure • B1. SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE PROJECT – B1.1 Importance and relevance of the research topic – B1.2 Research topic /Quality of the research • • • • B2. B3. B4. B5. QUALITY OF THE RESEARCH TRAINING QUALITY OF THE HOST QUALITY OF THE CHAIR HOLDER MANAGEMENT AND FEASIBILITY – B5.1 Organisational Management – B5.2 Dissemination – B5.3 Financial Management • • • • B6. B7. B8. B9. RELEVANCE TO THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION ADDED VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY PREVIOUS PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS OTHER ISSUES Page 26 Marie Curie Schemes Teams and Chairs - Evaluation Activity W=Weighting(1) T= Threshold Content of the Proposal / Project Training Activities / Transfer of Knowledge Quality of the Host Quality of the Researchers Management and Feasibility Excellence Grants Marie CurieChairs W 15 N/A 10 15 15 25 20 T 4 N/A 4 - W 15 15 10 15 10 15 20 T 4 4 - Relevance to the objectives of the specific activity Added value to the Community (1) W = Weighting expressed as a percentage, T = Threshold score out of 5 Page 27 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie – Afternoon Schemes Covered this afternoon • Early Stage Research Training Fellowships • Research Training Networks • Transfer of Knowledge Fellowships • Conferences and Training Courses • Excellence Teams • Marie Curie Chairs Page 28 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie – Evaluation of Proposals • Evaluation by competent experts in the field • Need to address all of the issues to maximise scores • Total score for a proposal is 100% • Some areas require a minimum score (threshold) • In many cases the science scores less than 50%! • You must focus on the objectives of the activity to be successful • Look carefully at the score matrix Page 29 Marie Curie Schemes ESTF, RTN and ToK Activity W=Weighting(1) T= Threshold Content of the Proposal / Project Training Activities / Transfer of Knowledge Quality of the Host Quality of the Researchers Management and Feasibility Research Training Networks W 15 T 3 Early Stage Training W 10 T 3 Transfer of Knowledge W 15 T 3 Conferences and Training Courses W 25 T - 20 15 N/A 15 4 N/A 3 15 25 N/A 15 4 N/A 3 15 15 N/A 15 4 N/A 2 15 10 N/A 20 4 N/A - Relevance to the objectives of the specific activity Added value to the Community 20 - 20 - 20 - 15 - 15 - 15 - 20 - 15 - Notes: All activities will be subject to a threshold in the total score of 70% (1) W = Weighting expressed as a percentage, T = Threshold score out of 5 Page 30 Marie Curie Schemes Early Stage Research Training • Higher Education, Research Centers, Enterprises • Early stages of their career (<4 years, i.e. predoc) • Structured training in research, competencies and complimentary skills • 3 Year fellowships, including short stays • Single Group or Multi-partner • Including those involved in International Doctoral Studies Page 31 Marie Curie Schemes ESTF - Proposal Structure • B1 Scientific Quality of the Project or Research Training Area • B2 Quality of Training Activities • B3 Quality / Capacity of the Host(s) • B4 Management and Feasibility • B5 Relevance to the objectives of the activity • B6 Added Value to the Community • B7 Previous proposals and contracts • B8 Other Issues Page 32 Marie Curie Schemes ESTF – Evaluation EST W B1 B2 B3 Scientific Quality of the Project or Research Training Area Quality of Training Activities Quality / Capacity of the Host(s) 10 15 25 T 3 4 - B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 Management and Feasibility Relevance to the objectives of the activity Added Value to the Community Previous proposals and contracts Other Issues 15 20 15 - 3 - Page 33 Marie Curie Schemes ESTF – Evaluation EST – indicative list of issues to address B1 B2 Scientific Quality of the Project or Research Training Area Quality of Training Activities Usual stuff •Research training programme (field, structure, duration •Complementary training (such as research management, presentation skills, ethics, etc.) •Why it is appropriate to the needs of early stage researchers •Impact of this training within the field Usual stuff Organisational management. Financial management… •Benefit to researchers •Benefit to Host •Training need •Collaboration •ERA •ERA, synergy, gender balance…. B3 B4 B5 Quality / Capacity of the Host(s) Management and Feasibility Relevance to the objectives of the activity B6 B7 B8 Added Value to the Community Previous proposals and contracts Other Issues Page 34 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Research Training Networks • Well defined collaborative research projects of recognized international stature • Minimum 3 partners in 3 Countries • Flexible framework for the Training and Development of Researchers • (Appropriate mix of Early Stage and Experienced researchers) • Promotion of multidisciplinary research • Up to 3 year fellowships, including short stays Page 35 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses • Encourage junior researchers to benefit from the experience of leading researchers • Variety of actions (including virtual ones) – series of conferences, summer schools, lab courses etc. on a theme or linked themes – support for junior researchers in larger conferences selected for their training interest • Duration from several days to four weeks Page 36 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge Schemes Host Fellowships • Higher Education, Research Centers, Enterprises • Experienced Researchers (>4 yrs) • Develop new areas of competence • Develop capabilities in LFRs and Assoc. Countries • Industry /Academia exchange possibilities (SMEs) • Up to 2 years Page 37 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Excellence Grants • Marie Curie Excellence Grants up to 4 years for individual researchers – To set up or extend teams of the highest level – Leading edge or interdisciplinary research – Applicants can remain in own country – Applicants must be in current institution for <1 year at deadline or move to new institution – Costs can cover applicant’s + team salaries, equipment, consumables, travel, overheads (€800k-€1.6m). Page 38 Marie Curie Schemes Excellence Grants - Proposal Structure • B1. SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE PROJECT – B1.1 Importance and relevance of the research topic – B1.2 Research topic /Quality of the research – B1.3 Potential for promoting innovation • • • B2. QUALITY OF THE HOST B3. QUALITY OF THE TEAM LEADER B4. MANAGEMENT AND FEASIBILITY – – – – B4.1 Organisational Management B4.2 Selection and Management of Team B4.3 Dissemination B4.4 Financial Management • • • • B5. B6. B7. B8. RELEVANCE TO THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION ADDED VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY PREVIOUS PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS OTHER ISSUES Page 39 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Chairs • Marie Curie Chairs up to 3 years – Top level teaching/research appointments – In particular for researchers who wish to resume their career in Europe – Researchers of any nationality may apply – Grant can be used to pay salary, build team etc.. (€450-750k) Page 40 Marie Curie Schemes Marie Curie Chairs - Proposal Structure • B1. SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE PROJECT – B1.1 Importance and relevance of the research topic – B1.2 Research topic /Quality of the research • • • • B2. B3. B4. B5. QUALITY OF THE RESEARCH TRAINING QUALITY OF THE HOST QUALITY OF THE CHAIR HOLDER MANAGEMENT AND FEASIBILITY – B5.1 Organisational Management – B5.2 Dissemination – B5.3 Financial Management • • • • B6. B7. B8. B9. RELEVANCE TO THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION ADDED VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY PREVIOUS PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS OTHER ISSUES Page 41 Marie Curie Schemes Teams and Chairs - Evaluation Activity W=Weighting(1) T= Threshold Content of the Proposal / Project Training Activities / Transfer of Knowledge Quality of the Host Quality of the Researchers Management and Feasibility Excellence Grants Marie CurieChairs W 15 N/A 10 15 15 25 20 T 4 N/A 4 - W 15 15 10 15 10 15 20 T 4 4 - Relevance to the objectives of the specific activity Added value to the Community (1) W = Weighting expressed as a percentage, T = Threshold score out of 5 Page 42 Marie Curie Schemes Type of actions covered by the call Research Training Networks Dead-line for proposals 3 April 03 19 November 03 Early Stage Training Fellowships 2 April 03 11 February 04 Conferences and Training Courses 1 April 03 20 April 04 Transfer of Knowledge fellowships 22 May 03 19 May 04 Intra-European Fellowships 12 March 03 18 February 04 reception of FP6: Roadmap Single call published on 17 December 2002. This roadmap and indeed the schemes and budgets covers first 2 years of FP6. The period 2004-2006 will be reviewed by the Commission in 2004 International Incoming Fellowships 21 May 03 12 February 04 International Outgoing Fellowships 21 May 03 12 February 04 Excellence Grants (Teams) 20 May 03 18 May 04 Chairs 20 May 03 21 January 04 Excellence Awards 20 May 03 18 May 04 European Re-Integration Grants International Re-integration Grants from 15 April 03 to October 04 from 15 April 03 to October 04 Page 43 Marie Curie Schemes FP6: Budget Type of actions covered by the call Budget (2002-2004) €m 115 130 20 85 110 20 28 55 10 0.5 39 17 % of Total Budget breakdown for 2002-2004. There is a total of €636m over the first two years (includes €6.5 for coordination actions). This will be reviewed in 2003 and revised depending on take up in the various elements of the programme Research Training Networks Early Stage Training Fellowships Conferences and Training Courses Transfer of Knowledge fellowships Intra-European Fellowships International Incoming Fellowships International Outgoing Fellowships Excellence Grants (Teams) Chairs Excellence Awards European Re-Integration Grants International Re-integration Grants 18% 20% 3% 13% 17% 3% 4% 9% 2% 0% 6% 3% Page 44 Marie Curie Schemes • Read the documents carefully • Target the scheme that best suits your requirements • Follow the guidelines • Remember that science does’nt always matter!! • Ensure you send the proposal so that it will arrive by the deadline Page 45