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
There is a template for the budget structure with listed categories on p. 9 of the project proposal template. The budget will depend on the proposed research training programme.
There is no minimum or maximum requirement. It all depends on the research training programme being proposed; the evaluators will then assess the feasibility and credibility of the proposed budget.
The number of researchers is not equal to person months. There is a certain number of researchers, then a researcher will have a fellowship with a certain duration. The duration of the individual fellowship multiplied by the number of researchers will give the number of person months. Example: the duration is 48 months and there are 21 researchers, we multiply and have a total of 1008 person months, and this number multiplied by the unit cost which is 2800 euros in the case of the Doctoral programme gives an EU contribution of 2,8 million euro.
Yes. Researchers recruited by implementing partners shall be included in the number of researchers recruited by the beneficiary.
Yes, the applicant can leave it blank or use if relevant.
Doctoral Networks
Evaluators are instructed to strictly stick to the evaluation criteria, and REA are closely monitoring that. Please note that if such a construction weakens the proposal in any way, according to the evaluation criteria, then it will be penalised under this criterion.
There is no concept of ‘affiliated entities’ in DN, there is the concept of associated partners linked to a beneficiary, whereby there was a pre-existing link between the associated partner and the beneficiary, not created for the purpose of the proposal. Their eligibility is linked to the eligibility of the beneficiary to which they are legally linked.
The institutions involved would be aware of their status as validated by the EC validation services when they get their final PIC.
A helpful list is that of the members of EIROforum: https://www.eiroforum.org/about-eiroforum/members/
In such cases, they should be included as “simple” associated partners, and the link should be described in parts B1 and B2.
In such cases, they should be included as “simple” associated partners, and the link should be described in parts B1 and B2.
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
Yes. Such an additional contract in the US can be for example to ensure equivalent benefits and social security coverage. Below is an example provided by the European Commission:
Example: A BE university recruits the fellow for the total duration of the action (i.e. provides the main employment contract under the action) and sends him/her to a US university. Continuing the Belgian social security during the stay in the US could be too expensive, so that the beneficiary asks the US partner organisation to conclude an additional employment contract, in order to insure the researcher in the US.
Yes, there has to be a transfer of money from the institution of the return phase to the partner hosting the outgoing phase. Partnership agreement should be signed and should define such a transfer. Country correction coefficient (CCC) of the partner hosting the outgoing phase will be applied. The transfer can include not only living allowance but also mobility and family contribution or transfer of institutional contribution.
No. The researcher should be recruited by the institution of the return phase (the European beneficiary) under an employment contract that covers the entire duration of the grant agreement, including the outgoing phase (36 months total). It is then possible for the partner hosting the outgoing phase (the Third country organisation) to sign an additional employment contract with the researcher for just those 24 months of the outgoing phase, but the main contract will be with the beneficiary in Europe. In the practice different scenarios can occur, e.g. for the time of the outgoing phase (i.e. 24 months) the institution of the return phase will provide unpaid leave to the researcher – i.e. the researcher remains employee of the institution of the return phase but receives no salary from this institution.
It may be possible if the challenges are insurmountable.
Firstly, the fellow and the beneficiary should of course try to solve the issues and also document the process.
But if that fails, they should contact their Project Officer. Best practice would be to already be able to suggest an alternative that would ensure that the project could be implemented according to/or as close as possible to what has been evaluated.
The return phase always lasts 12 months, there are no exceptions. Starting at the European institution counts as outgoing. This means that if the outgoing phase is 24 months, only 21 months will be left after the secondment at the European return host.
Staff Exchanges
This is mainly for statistics purposes.
‘Associated partners’ are entities which participate in the action, but do not sign the grant agreement, without the right to charge costs or claim contributions. They contribute to the implementation of the action, for instance hosting secondments.
Linked third parties can be added as Associated partners linked to a Beneficiary. The type of link and involvement and activities of such entities must be clearly described in the proposal, Part B, and it will be assessed as part of the evaluation.
In the current text of the Work Programme no letter of commitment is required for Associated partners linked to a beneficiary.
There are 3 possible links: [Same group] if the legal entity is under the same direct or indirect control as another legal entity; [Controls] if a legal entity directly or indirectly controls another legal entity; or [Is controlled by] if a legal entity is directly or indirectly controlled by another legal entity.