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EUROPEAN RESEARCH IN ACTION
MARIE CURIE FELLOWSHIPS
RATIONALE
The age-old tradition of intellectual interchange
Science has always been international. Even in the days when travel was by horseback or sail, seekers of wisdom traveled far and wide to sit at the feet of their teachers. Schools of thought grew up, corresponded with one another, and built the worldwide Republic of Letters. Today, the tradition of academic interchange continues. And in the modern global economy, scientific research has an economic as well as an intellectual motivation. Because to stay in the race economically, we have to keep innovating. A breadth of vision, a range of experience, is a distinct advantage in problem solving.
Marie Curie Fellowships give researchers the opportunity to work in another country as part of the research team that is right for them. And they give research teams in all areas the chance to add some variety to their ranks.
Research fellows learn as they work: as well as their chosen discipline, they improve their language skills and broaden their cultural understanding. And it’s a two-way process: coming from outside, they can often contribute a fresh approach and a novel point of view. The host team gains a more rounded and multicultural outlook - and thus raises its chance of a successful result.
DESCRIPTION
What are Marie Curie Fellowships?
They are grants which cover the cost of traveling to and living in another country to become part of a research team. They are available to researchers, research institutions and companies - however small - in the European Union, and in the 15 countries which are currently associated to the EU’s Fifth RTD Framework Programme. Applicants choose the subject of their research themselves.
They are two main types:
Individual Fellowships - these are awarded to the researcher. Before you can apply for an individual fellowship, you must first find a research team that wants you on board and define a joint research project. They are mainly targeted at post-doctoral researchers up to 35 years of age. But there are also opportunities for experienced researchers to reinforce the research capacity in less-favoured regions of the EU or strengthen the links between academia and industry.
Host Fellowships - these are awarded to the institutions, which then recruits its own guest researchers. There are specific schemes for doctoral training (Training Sites scheme), research training in an industrial environment (Industry Host fellowships scheme), or for the development of capacities in EU less-favoured regions (Development Host fellowships scheme). These schemes offer a range of opportunities: if you are a young researcher you can opt for short stays as part of your doctoral studies in a Training Site or longer-term training in industry. Post-doctoral researchers can choose between training in an industrial environemat or using their knowledge and skills the increase to competence of a research group in an EU less-favoured region.
The Commission particularly encourages women to take up Marie Curie Fellowships.
Mobility - ever more important
Since 1990, over 8,500 Marie Curie Fellowships have been awarded. Now, as part of the Fifth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, which runs from 1998 till 2002, the European Union has nearly doubled the budget available.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Benefits for Fellows
Benefits for Hosts
Quality
Quality is a key concern. The evaluation process is carried out by independent experts under the supervision of a distinguished scientist, and takes into account the quality of the candidate, the track record of the host institution, its ability to provide training, and the relevance of the research topic. There is an absolute quality threshold. The Commission feeds back to unsuccessful applicants the reasons for rejection.
How Do They Work?
How Much Are They Worth?
The take-home value of the bursary varies to reflect the local cost of living and the experience of the fellow. It works out at between € 1200 and € 3000 per month.
For More Information
Marie Curie Fellowships Improving Human Potential (IHP) Programme European Commission Directorate-General for Research, Unit D2, Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat, 200 B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel Tel: +32 2 295 08 43 Fax: +32 2 296 21 33 Email: improving@cec.eu.int http://www.cordis.lu/improving
European Commission Directorate-General for Research E-mail: research@cec.eu.int http://europa.eu.int/comm/research
Information and Communication Unit Fax: +32 2 295 82 20 Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat, 200 B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel
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