FAQs
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The list of FAQs, which contains questions for the current Framework Programme (Horizon Europe), is updated with questions taken from the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Q&A Blog. Make sure that you visit the blog for the latest FAQs on MSCA.
For MSCA FAQs pertaining to the previous Framework Programme (Horizon 2020) visit the old blog which the project will also update on a regular basis.
COFUND
If it is a continuation – yes, otherwise no. The number of the project should be given. Even if the applicant mentions that a similar proposal has already been submitted, this will be checked very carefully by REA. If after checking REA sees it is not the case, they will not consider it to be similar.
It depends very much on the research training programme. There could be research training programmes which are very specific and others very broad, for example with a bottom-up approach.
Implementing partners can recruit researchers if they are in the list of countries eligible to receive EU funding. If not, they can contribute to the implementation of the action but they cannot recruit researchers and are associated partners. A legal entity based in a Third Country cannot recruit researchers if this country is not in the list of eligible countries to receive EU funding, however an additional employment contract could be concluded with such legal entity like in PF, but this would depend on the fellowship scheme and the main employment contract would still be with the European host institution.
It depends on the role of the organisation. Normally the associated partner is hosting/ providing a secondment and/ or training, moreover, an associated partner does not receive any funding.
In the case of a regional authority providing funding only to the beneficiary, this should be explained in the proposal, but it should be considered part of the beneficiary’s own resources.
When talking about impact, this is prospective, it is in the future, assuming that the project is successful and that it achieves everything that it set up to achieve. The applicants could base themselves on some other studies to strengthen or build their case about the impact they could have, before the impact is actually achieved.
Doctoral Networks
Economic/ technological and Societal impact sub-sections in 2.4 are linked to the (economic) impact. What impact the project results, not only in terms of research results but also in terms of the results of the programme as such (e.g. new concept of training, new approach, etc.).
This section is linked to the European Innovation CAPACITY. It is not focusing on IMPACT (which is strongly linked to the project results) but on CAPACITY or creating critical mass. Thus this section is more linked to the delivery of uniquely trained researchers in a certain topic. This can contribute to the CAPACITY (e.g. next generation researchers that have unique and improved skills and level of expertise compared to the researchers today in and outside Europe, etc.).
For Table 3.1d in case of one researcher with split/ multiple recruitments, the applicant can complete the table only once, listing both/ all recruitments. The same goes for table 1.3a provided that the table is clear and easy to understand and has the information about the two recruitments per fellow.
It would be good to have the eight elements listed on p. 82 of the Work Programme 2021-2022 already in the proposal, however, if the applicants don’t have enough space, REA will add them at the grant agreement preparation phase.
If the fellow was 1) performing their main activity in the lab based abroad and they were physically present there, and/ or 2) they were also residing abroad, then they should be considered eligible for France.
MSCA & Citizens (Night)
The deadlines and procedures are set out in the evaluation result letter. For more information on complaints about proposal rejection: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Complaints+about+proposal+rejection.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
It is uncommon, but not necessarily detrimental to the proposal. For the 2021 PF call, there were only 2 12-month projects funded. For comparison, there were over 950 24-month projects funded.
Yes, it is possible. As long as the 8-year and mobility rules are respected, they are eligible for the PF call.
Currently, Switzerland has the status of a third country not associated to Horizon Europe in the frame of the DN and PF calls.
For PF: As long as this status remains unchanged, researchers with a Swiss host institution are not eligible to apply to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships. Switzerland is eligible as host country for the outgoing phase of a Global Fellowship. However, Swiss nationals are NOT eligible for participation in MSCA Global Fellowships unless they are long-term residents of an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe.
For DN: Organisations based in Switzerland can participate in MSCA Doctoral Networks as ‘Associated Partners’. The Swiss project partner will not be funded by the European Commission but by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
More info can be found at https://www.euresearch.ch/en/horizon-europe/excellent-science/marie-skodowska-curie-actions-(msca)-55.html
UK is to be considered as an Associated Country to Horizon Europe in the frame of PF and DN calls.
For PF: a fellow who plans to be hosted by an institution located in the UK must apply for a European PF.
For DN: partners located in UK can be beneficiaries and the doctoral candidate(s) recruited by UK partners are taken into account in the count of person-months funded by the EC (max. 360 or 540 person-months depending on the DN mode).
If the HE Association Agreement between UK and EC is not signed by the signature of the PF 2022/ DN 2022 Grant Agreements, successful UK applicants will receive funding from UKRI. Currently, the UK government guarantee only covers those eligible calls where the grant agreement needs to be signed by 31 December 2022.
More info can be found at https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/horizon-europe/
With the approval of REA and the host organisation, it is possible to opt for part-time for professional reasons – if the researcher wishes to keep both projects, they should first ask the host if they agree, and then approach the project officer with this request. If approved, the PF duration will be extended (the person-months remain the same) and the unit costs reduced proportionally (i.e. the same amount of funding will be stretched over a longer period).
Staff Exchanges
All participating organisations should be added, either as “beneficiary” or “associated partners” (including both the associated partners and the associated partners linked to a beneficiary). Applicants would declare the main beneficiary as beneficiary/participant and the associated partner linked to this beneficiary adding both as partners by clicking on the button “Add Partner”. For more information please see FAQ n 18851.
Applicants should list the secondments between beneficiaries that are considered interdisciplinary. This table will be used to help determine the eligibility of the secondments. Applicants can provide an additional table for interdisciplinary secondments with associated partners, or just discuss them in the text.
There are two ways to address this aspect: – Institutions can add PM in both Work packages but they have to explain that those are in-kind and are not related to secondments as such, as these will not be eligible. OR – Institutions can indicate two levels of PM: secondments PM (supported through project funding) and total PM spent on project (just indicative), and make a clear distinction between the two categories.