Slide1: People Programme Marie Curie Actions International Research Staff Exchange Scheme IRSES Dr. Barbara Rhode European Commission Marie Curie Actions - Fellowships Slide2: What is it for? - Objectives Strengthen research collaborations with the rest of the world (S&T agreement and Neighbourhood policy countries) Staff exchange programmes for sustainable research partnerships between research institutions Based on joint programmes, with commitment from both EU*/AC** and Third countries IRSES *European Union **Associated Countries Slide3: Countries with EC agreements on S&T: Argentina*, Australia, Brazil*, Canada, China*, Chile*, Egypt*, India*, Japan, South 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* IRSES Which countries ? * International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC) Slide4: Participation rules Partnership: min. 2 independent EU/AC research organisations of at least 2 different countries and one or more organisations in a third country Coordinator from EU/AC Duration of Partnership: 2-4 years IRSES Slide5: Exchange programme Multi-annual joint exchange programme (balanced & coordinated) Short term exchanges (up to 1 year per person in total) Researchers, management, technical staff Exchanges to/from Europe (not between EU/AS partners) Staff are seconded (maintain salary in institution of origin and have the right to return) Partners institutes select their staff for exchange No restriction for size of programme IRSES Slide6: Financial rules/Community contribution Balanced exchange expected out/in Europe (in person years) Each partner funds its own outgoing researchers Community contribution Fixed 1800€/person/month (incl. travel, subsistence) Only for EU/AS partners Non-EU/AC partners may apply their own rates EU funding of ICPC and Neighbourhood policy countries in exceptionally cases IRSES Slide7: Selection of programmes Call for proposals published 30 Nov 2007; deadline for submission 28 March 2008 Proposal must be submitted by European coordinator Evaluation by independent experts (50% from third countries) Evaluation results by June; contract negotiations initiated July-September; 1st contracts by Sept/Oct. IRSES Slide8: Evaluation Criteria Quality of the Exchange programme (Weighting:25%) Objective and relevance of the joint exchange programme Scientific quality of the partners Complementarities/synergies between the partners Transfer of Knowledge (Weighting:30%) Quality and mutual benefit of the transfer of knowledge Adequacy and role of staff exchanged with respect to the transfer of knowledge IRSES Slide9: Evaluation Criteria Implementation (Weighting:15%) Capacities (expertise/human resources/facilities/infrastructure) to achieve the objectives of the planned cooperation Appropriateness of the plans for the overall management of the exchange programme Impact (Weighting:30%) Relevance of the proposed partnership to the area of collaboration and for the ERA Potential to develop lasting collaboration with eligible Third country partners. IRSES Slide10: Financial aspects for partners from 3d countries Need for own funding to cover costs of researchers coming to Europe (matching funds) These may come from: A public programme Own resources of the institution Importance to plan public funding: Contract negotiations will start in July 2008 Requests for Community funding may be granted exceptionally on a case by case basis IRSES Information: Information Information on the PEOPLE programme http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/home_en.html EU research: http://ec.europa.eu/research/ Seventh Framework Programme: http://ec.europa.eu/research/future/index_en.cfm Information on research programmes and projects: http://cordis.europa.eu/ Slide12: Thank you for your attention!