Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowships (MSCA-IF)

1. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowships (MSCA-IF) Dr Sarah Holcroft, Research Development Officer Research & Impact Services

2. Excellent Science Industrial Leadership Societal Challenges European Research Council (ERC) Health and Wellbeing Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies (LEIT) Food Security Future & Emerging Technologies (FET) Transport Access to Risk Finance Energy Maria Skłodowska -Curie Actions (MSCA) Climate Action Innovation in SMEs Societies Research Infrastructures Security Widening Participation Science with and for Society Joint Research Centre (JRC) European institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) EURATOM

3. Individual Fellowships (IF) The aim of the Individual Fellowships is to enhance the potential of experienced researchers wishing to diversify their individual competence in terms of skill acquisition through advanced training, international and inter-sectoral mobility. Eligibility and projects • Must have PhD or 4 years full-time research experience • Calibre is important – looking for excellence • No age or career stage restrictions • Completely ‘bottom-up’ approach • Basic through to near-to-market • Grant beneficiary is the host institution

4. Individual Fellowships (IF)

6. How does it work? Proposals for IFs involve a single host organisation (future beneficiary) established in a MS (Member State) or AC (Associated Country). The project proposals are submitted by the host organisation, which is represented by the supervisor, in liaison with the researcher. Only the supervisor (from the host organisation as future beneficiary) can submit the proposal. It is important to note that the Experienced Researcher (future fellow) and the supervisor must be two different people. For GF the researcher undertakes mobility to a partner organisation in Third Country, followed by a mandatory return period to a single beneficiary in a MS or AC.

7. What is funded? The grant provides an allowance to cover the fellows living, travel and family costs. The grant is awarded to the host organisation, usually a university, research centre or company in Europe. The research costs and overheads of the host organisation(s) are also supported. Fixed funding rates 2016 period * A country correction coefficient applies to the living allowance, applicable to the country of the beneficiary (list on website)

8. Proposal writing

9. Application form Part A – completed on the Participant Portal Section 1: General information about the proposal (including the abstract); Section 2: AdministrativeData on participants and contacts; • Information on the main supervisor and host institution (Beneficiary) • Information about the supervisor in the Third Country and any partner organisation. Section 3: Budget; • Requests duration of fellowship to calculate EU contribution Section 4: Ethics issues table; • Confirm ethical issues (even if there are no issues, you need to confirm this) Section 5: Information on Partner organisations. Scientific Areas and Descriptors – 1) Scheme, 2) Chemistry (CHE), Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC), Economic Sciences (ECO), Information Science and Engineering (ENG), Environment and Geosciences (ENV), Life Sciences (LIF), Mathematics (MAT) and Physics (PHY).

10. Part B This year must be submitted as two separate documents (follow the templates, guidance and evaluation criteria!) Document 1 – start page, table of contents, participating organisations and sections 1-3 (13 pages) • Excellence • Impact • Implementation Document 2 – sections 4-7 (see guidance for page limits and structure) • Researcher CV • Capacities of the participating organisations • Ethical Aspects • Letter of Commitment of Partner Organisations (GF only!) 10 pages max

11. What are the evaluators looking for?

12. Excellence (50% of your mark) • State-of-the-art’ for the field – how it relates to the top research in the field, why it is original and how it will move the field forward? • Need to define research objectives. Present methodology clearly (provide sufficient detail) and identify expected outcomes. • Clear training and development plan – both generic and specific training (name specific courses where possible), personalise to your needs • Demonstrate two way transfer of knowledge – be specific! • Quality supervision and mentorship – level of experience, track record (research and supervision) • Capacity of the researcher – track record, demonstrate leadership, independent thinking

13. Impact (30% of the mark) • What new skills will the researcher gain? How will it improve their career prospects? • What is the benefit of working in a different country - Linguistic skills, specialisation, facilities? • How will the host/country/EU benefit from the researchers stay? • Provide details of any lasting collaborations – how will these be maintained? • What are the societal, economic, academic impacts of the research? • Does the project address European policy? Aim to increase knowledge within Europe. • Exploitation and dissemination strategy – identify targets (academics, users, public)? Events – be specific!

14. Implementation (20% of the mark) • Coherent work plan – Gantt chart, clear work package structure with tasks/deliverables and milestones. • Practical arrangements • Appropriate management structure • Risks – What are they? Monitoring and mitigation • Institutional environment – Commitments of the beneficiary, infrastructure, logistics and facilities – why is the proposed host the best place for you and your project?

15. How to Apply? Closing Date for all applications: 14 September 2016 at 17:00 (UK 4pm) Decision after max of 5 months after deadline and Signature of Grant Agreement: max of 8 months after deadline RIS contacts http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/ris/people National Contact Point (UKRO) https://www.ukro.ac.uk/mariecurie Read the Guide for Applicants and FAQ document! http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/about- msca/actions/if/index_en.htm Online application http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/2226-msca-if-2016.html