Excerpts from the Handbook of Marie Curie Research Training Networks (RTNs)
Available at http://europa.eu.int/mariecurie-actions
“Early-stage researchers are
defined as researchers in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of
their
research activity, including the period of research training.
The reference period to qualify for
an early stage training activity:
- is counted from the
diploma giving
access to doctoral studies (the degree must entitle the holder to
embark on
doctoral studies, without having to acquire any further qualifications)
in the
country in which the diploma was obtained,
- covers the first 4 years of
experience in research or the period until a doctoral degree is
obtained,
whichever is shorter.
Persons who have obtained a
doctorate are ineligible for the early stage actions, independently of
the time
taken to acquire it.”
“Experienced researchers are
defined as researchers having at least 4 years of research experience
(full-time equivalent) since gaining a university diploma giving them
access to
doctoral studies (the degree must entitle the holder to embark on
doctoral
studies, without having to acquire any further qualifications), in the
country
in which the degree/diploma was obtained or researchers already in
possession
of a doctoral degree, independently of the time taken to acquire it.”
“Researchers with more
than 10 years
of research experience (full-time equivalent), counting from the time
the
degree/diploma was obtained and giving access to embark on a doctorate
in the
country where it was awarded, will not be eligible for selection.”
“Researchers must be nationals of a
State other than that of the host organisation. At the start of
their
fellowship/activity, researchers may not have resided or carried out
their main
activity (work, studies, etc) in the country of their host organisation
for
more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the start date.
Short
stays such as holidays are not taken into account”
“Participation and funding of researchers
from third countries is foreseen in Marie Curie Research Training
Networks.
However, they can not carry out their transnational mobility in third
countries. In the case of Research Training Networks, a maximum of
30 % of
the number of funded researcher-months can be used for third
country
researchers. This percentage could be exceeded in exceptional cases
under the
condition that the excess is duly justified as being essential to
attain the
objectives of the action. For multi-partner contracts [such as Research
Training Networks], participating organisations must have a common
selection
policy in order to avoid exceeding this limit.”
“For the purpose of the Marie Curie
actions, non-nationals from Member States or Associated States having
legally
resided and having had their main activity (work, studies etc) for at
least
four of the last five years at the start of their fellowship in Member
States/Associated States are treated as nationals of the Member/ State
in which
they have resided the longest….”