Research: Marie Curie postdoc Fellowships
Call for proposals
Ready to spend some time abroad?
Ready to join excellent research groups at K.U.Leuven?
Objectives: The Marie Curie Actions aim to increase the trans-national mobility of researchers. It encourages European researchers to stay in Europe, and attracts researchers from the entire world to Europe.
Thematic domains: Marie Curie Actions are cross cutting, e.g. they cover any scientific topic. They also follow a bottom-up approach: the research topic is chosen by researchers.
Calls: You’ll find here all the open calls. Deadline for submission of applications is 11 August 2011.
Actions: three main actions for individual experienced researchers (postdoc-level) exist:
| Action | Description | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| IEF Intra-European Fellowship |
IEF aims at helping experienced researchers to get new skills. Mobility rule applies: from one EU member state to another, project of 1-2 years. | More information Guide for Applicants |
| IOF International Outgoing Fellowship |
IOF aims to reinforce the international dimension in the career of European researchers willing to acquire new skills in a top research institution based in a third country. Mobility rule applies: 2 years in a third country + 1 year (return phase) in a EU member state | More information Guide for Applicants |
| IIF International Incoming Fellowships |
IIF aims to attract top-class researchers currently active in a third country and make them undertake research in Europe. Mobility rule applies: 1-2 year in an EU member state | More information Guide for Applicants |
| Success rate (2007-2010) | IEF | IOF | IIF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 17 % | 17 % | 12 % |
| K.U.Leuven | 30 % | 61 % | 14 % |
More information
What is an Intra-European Fellowship?
The Intra-European Fellowship (IEF) aims to help experienced researchers (i.e. in possession of PhD or with at least 4 years of research experience full time) enhance their career by providing financial support for an individual project that will get funded for a period of 12 to 24 months. The goal is to support researchers in attaining a leading independent position, e.g. principal investigator, professor or other senior position in education or enterprise. The IEF may also assist researchers to resume a career in research after a break. As the other Marie Curie Actions, the rule of mobility is mandatory in an IEF: applicants can be of any nationality, but they must move from an EU Member State (MS) or an Associated Country (AC) to another MS or AC. The IEF follows a bottom-up approach, e.g., the research topic is freely chosen by the researcher in collaboration with the host institution. The IEF is cross-cutting, e.g. any scientific field can be funded.
What is an International Outgoing Fellowship?
The International Outgoing Fellowship (IOF) aims to reinforce the international dimension of the career of European experienced researchers by giving them the opportunity to be trained and acquire new knowledge in a third country (outside Europe) high level research organisation. Subsequently, these researchers will return with the acquired knowledge and experience to a European organisation, in a Member State or an Associated Country. Researchers must be nationals of a Member State or an Associated Country. The IOF consists of a financial support to 2-phases mobility projects:
- The 1st phase has a duration of about 24 months in a partner organisation in a third country.
- The 2nd phase of the project is to be spent in a return host organisation in a Member State or an Associated Country. This phase of reintegration has duration of 12 months and is mandatory.
As the other Marie Curie Actions, the IOF follows a bottom-up approach, e.g. the research topic is freely chosen by the researcher in collaboration with the return host organisation with a view to completing his/her expertise. The IOF is crosscutting, e.g. any scientific field can be funded.
What is an International Incoming Fellowship?
The International Incoming Fellowship (IIF) aims to attract topclass experienced researchers active in third countries to undertake research projects in Europe, in a Member State (MS) or an Associated Country (AC), with a view to developing mutually-beneficial research cooperation. The IIF consists of a financial support for projects of a period of two years max. For researchers coming from an ICPC (International Cooperation Partner Countries, see Annex I People Work Programme 2011), the possibility of a return phase to their country of origin is possible. Researchers can be of any nationality. To be eligible, the researcher must have been active in research in a third country at the deadline for submission, and must not have resided in a MS or an AC the last three years prior the deadline for submission. As for the other Marie Curie Actions, the IIF follows a bottomup approach, e.g. the research topic is freely chosen by the researcher in collaboration with the host organization. The IIF is cross-cutting, e.g. any scientific can be funded.
General information on Marie Curie actions
Why should you go for a Marie Curie fellowship?
- Income: yearly gross living allowance of € 58 500 (+ mobility allowance) for an experienced researcher
- Prestige: IEF is highly competitive and obtaining one complements any CV
- Independence: the fellow researcher (applicant)strongly influences the fellowship topic and destination
- Mobility from and to an EU Member State
Tips for a successful proposal
The individual fellowships are very popular! And you have only one attempt per Call. Therefore:
- Demonstrate in as many ways as possible that the participants and goals of your project are the very best in Europe.
- Explain the contribution that your project is expected to make. Your project must be innovative and original.
- Outline the benefit that will be gained from undertaking the project at the Community level and how it will contribute to enhance the European scientific excellence.
- Demonstrate the expertise of the host institution as well as the expertise of the scientific in charge in the field of research you want to explore
- Describe how this project will contribute to your own career
- Add referees to your proposal (in part A via EPSS, guide for referees): the referee reports are considered proof of your CV and track record
- Respect the maximum length of the proposal
- Do not miss the Call deadline!
What is funded?
The financial support for an MC fellowship takes the form of a grant covering up to 100% of the budget. It includes in particular a yearly gross living allowance for an experienced researcher of € 58 500 + allowances. Experienced researcher means: either in possession of a PhD or with at least 4 years of research experience.
Applying for a fellowship at K.U.Leuven
Contact the K.U.Leuven EU-team at EU-info@doc.kuleuven.be or at +32-16-320-944.
How can we help you?
- Helpdesk for all questions concerning the calls for proposals
- Advice and support on administrative issues (part A of your application)
- Information for submitting proposals: K.U.Leuven PIC = 999991334
- Funding request: indicate “NO” for “type B fixed amount fellowship”
- Advice and support on the contents of your proposal (part B)
- Guidance note for applicants
- Text suggestions on K.U.Leuven-specific information
- Proofreading of applications (send your draft at least 5 days before the deadline to us)
For information on admissions, work permit, K.U.Leuven contract, etc, contact Annemie.Dumoulin@pers.kuleuven.be.
Other funding opportunities for postdocs at K.U.Leuven
