Doctoral Networks (DN) 2022
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Doctoral Networks (DN) 2022 Agenda 20. June 2022: - How to apply for a MSCA Doctoral Network? Per Magnus Kommandantvold and Berit Sundby Avset, MSCA NCPs in Norway - The DN evaluation process, MSCA evaluator Aicha Bounaim, Schlumberger - Experiences from applying for, getting funded and coordinating the CO2PERATE ITN, Prof. Kathrin Hopmann, UiT - Q&A
Doctoral Networks (DN) 2022 - The overall picture • Webinar 20.06.2022 • Berit Sundby Avset and Per Magnus Kommandantvold, National Contact Points for MSCA • @MarieCurie_NCP
The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
• The EU flagship programme for funding research training
and mobility since 1996
• Part of the Excellence pillar in Horizon Europe
• 145,000 researchers funded so far
• Bottom-up
• Open to all disciplines
• International, intersectoral and interdisciplinary (3 I´s)
3
Horizon Europe 2021 - 2027
Total budget: EUR 95.5 billion
Excellent Science (EUR Global Challenges and European Industrial Innovative Europe
25.8 billion) Competitiveness (EUR 52.7 billion) (EUR 13.5 billion)
Clusters European Innovation Council
European Research Council (ERC)
1. Health (EIC)
2. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Societies
Marie Skłodowska-Curie 3. Civil Security for Society
Actions (MSCA) 4. Digital, Industry & Space Innovation ecosystems
Budget 6,6 billion
5. Climate, Energy and Mobility
6. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture &
Environment European Institute of Innovation
Research Infrastructures
EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) and Technology (EIT)
Widening participation and strengthening the European research area (EUR 2.1 billion)
Widening participation and spreading excellence.
Reforming and enhancing the European R&I system.
4 17.06.2022
• MSCA in Horizon Europe 2021-2027:
• 1. MSCA Doctoral Networks - networks training doctoral candidates
• 2. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - postdoctoral researchers
• 3. MSCA Staff Exchanges - any type of research(-related) staff
• 4. MSCA COFUND - co-funding training programmes
• 5. MSCA and Citizens - public outreach events
5
Call calendar 2022
Action Opening Deadline
Doctoral Networks 12 May 2022 15 November 2022
Postdoctoral Fellowships 12 May 2022 14 September 2022
Staff Exchanges 6 October 2022 8 March 2023
COFUND 11 October 2022 9 February 2023
MSCA and Citizens No call foreseen in 2022
Budget for DN: 428 million euro
Objective – Doctoral Networks The objective of Doctoral Networks is to implement doctoral programmes by partnerships of organisations from different sectors across Europe and beyond to train highly skilled doctoral candidates, stimulate their creativity, enhance their innovation capacities and boost their employability in the long-term.
Academic and non-academic sectors
Academic sector
• public or private higher
education Non-academic sector
establishments
• any socio-economic
• public or private non- actor not included in the
profit research academic sector
organisations
• International European
Research Organisations
Three modalities:
Doctoral Networks (standard) Joint Doctorates Industrial Doctorates
Training in academia and/or Joint or multiple degrees, Training in academia and industry
industry
Pre-agreement for joint degrees Minimum 50% of the time in the
required non-academic sector
The academic and non-academic
host of a doctoral candidate can be
in the same country
Size: up to 360 person-months Size: up to 540 person-months
Size: up to 540 person-months
2021: 79,9% of funded projects 2021: 12,5 % of funded projects 2021: 7,6% of funded projects
12,9 % success rate 18,2 success rate 14,1% success rate
Common features • Max duration: 48 months • Doctoral candidates: between 3 and 36 months • All candidates must be enrolled in a PhD programme • All beneficiaries must recruit at least one doctoral candidate • Secondments: worldwide, up to 1/3 of fellowship duration (exceptions for ID and JD) • Max. 40.0% of the EU contribution may be allocated to beneficiaries in the same country
DN – Industrial doctorates • Minimum 50% stay in the non-academic sector. • Mandatory joint supervision by both the academic and non-academic host. • A doctoral candidate can have his/her academic and non-academic host in the same country. • NB! Secondments do not have time limitations (as in Standard DNs), and must be indicated in the proposal. The fellow can be recruited to either the academic or the non-academic host for the whole duration of the fellowship, and be seconded to the other host. (I.e. no limitation to 1/3 of the fellowship). New rule in 2022!
DN – Joint Doctorates • Joint, double or multiple doctoral degrees recognised in at least two EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries • Joint supervision is mandatory • Joint governance structure with joint admission, selection, supervision, monitoring and assessment procedures • It is expected that each doctoral candidate is recruited (employment contract) multiple times in order to receive the correct salary (country correction coefficient). NB! Secondments in JD do not have time limitations (as in Standard DNs) and must be indicated in the proposal. The fellow can be recruited to only one of the hosts for the whole duration of the fellowship, and be seconded to the other host. (I.e. no limitation to 1/3 of the fellowship). New rule in 2022! • A pre-agreement to award a joint, double or multiple degree must be provided when the proposal is submitted The Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions (UHR): Joint Degrees at the PhD Level Introduction and Guidelines (2015) https://www.uhr.no/_f/p1/i1bd6acae-1051-49f8-8464-b1bb18326bc7/joint_degrees_at_the_phd_level.pdf
Who applies? • Consortia of universities, research institutions and research infrastructures, businesses including SMEs, and other socio-economic actors • At least three independent legal entities (beneficiaries), each established in a different MS or AC; minimum of 1 beneficiary from a MS (on top of this minimum, any entity from any third country can join; no minimum for associated partners)
Beneficiaries and Associated partners: obligations and roles
Beneficiaries Associated partners
Academic / non-academic yes yes
Signs the Grant Agreement yes no
Recruits researchers yes no
Training and/or hosting of seconded yes yes
researchers
Participation in Supervisory Board yes yes
Directly claim costs yes noEligible researchers • Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates (not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment) • Researchers must be enrolled in a doctoral programme, in at least 1 EU Member State/Associated Country (at least 2 for Joint Doctorates) • Any nationality • Mobility rule: must not have resided or carried out main activity in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their (first) recruitment date
DN (Standard) DN-ID DN-JD
Minimum Number of
3 3 3
beneficiaries
Minimum MS or AC 3 3 3
Minimum MS (beneficiaries) 1 1 1
BENEFICIARY (IES) Minimum 3 entitled to award doctoral degrees;
at least 2 (beneficiaries/ associated partners/
Academic sector No restrictions No restrictions
associated partners linked to a beneficiary)
conferring the degree established in MS/AC.
Non-academic sector No restrictions No restrictions No restrictions
Max no. of person months 360 540 540
Max 40.0% budget for 1
country/international Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory
organisation
Mandatory (beneficiary or associated Mandatory (beneficiary or Mandatory for minimum 3 entities (beneficiary
Beneficiary (or associated partner/associated
partner linked to a beneficiary) awarding PhD partner/ associated partner linked to a associated partner/ associated or associated partner/ associated partner
beneficiary) partner linked to a beneficiary) linked to a beneficiary), of which 2 in MS/AC
Joint/double/multiple award of PhD Optional Optional Mandatory
Joint/double/multiple degree – letter of pre-
N/A N/A Mandatory
agreement
Joint supervision for researchers Encouraged Mandatory (from the 2 sectors) Mandatory
Researchers enrolment in the PhD Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory
Stay in non-academic sector Encouraged Min 50% of fellowship duration Encouraged
Secondments ≤ 1/3 No limitation No limitation
Associated partner: Letter of Commitment Mandatory
Ranking lists 8 (Scientific) panels
Budget ~€428 MillionSecondments – if added value! The purpose of secondments in MSCA is to expose the researchers to other environments, preferably in another sector. • A planned, longer stay at another beneficiary or at an associated partner • The student receives training and supervision at the secondment host • Must be relevant, feasible, beneficial for the researcher and in line with the project objectives • Up to 1/3 of recruitment period (NB IDs and JDs) • Can be pursued in any country, also outside of Europe.
Funding – unit costs • Linked to the person- months of the recruited researchers • Family allowance can now be granted during the project if the status of a researcher changes • Long-term leave and special needs allowance if not covered by social security or similar • Living allowance is subject to a Country Correction Coefficient
Contributions for recruited researchers
• Living allowance to cover personnel costs NB!
Each beneficiary must be able
for the employment of researchers with full to document that these
social security coverage. contributions were spent on
the researcher(s)
• Mobility allowance: additional, private NB! Exchange rates
mobility-related costs
• Family allowance to contribute to mobility-
related costs of researchers with family
obligationsContributions for institutional costs
• Research, training and networking contribution: costs
for training and networking activities, research NB!
expenses, visa-related fees and travel expenses, Coordination costs and
joint training costs.
additional costs arising from each secondment of six
Agree at the proposal
months or less, which require mobility from the place of stage!!
residence (e.g. travel and accommodation costs)
• Management and indirect contribution should cover
the beneficiary’s additional costs in connection with the
actionLong term leave allowance Special Needs Allowance
• personnel costs incurred by the • The disability - long-term physical, mental,
beneficiaries, not reimbursed by the intellectual or sensory impairments must be
social security/other sources, in case of certified by a competent national authority
researchers’ leave, including maternity, • Contributes to the additional costs for the
paternity, parental, sick or special leave. acquisition of special needs items and
• For absences longer than 30 consecutive services for researchers with disabilities
days • Must not have been funded from another
source (e.g. social security or health
insurance)
• Requested when the need arises
• Ten different unit cost rates
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/unit-cost-decision_he-msca_en.pdfHow to apply Information
Science and Chemistry
Engineering
Part A – on-line form
• Select one of the eight evaluation panels
Social
• Select the specific keywords carefully sciences
Environment
and
and
• Compose the abstract with care humanities
Geosciences
Part B1
• Proposal description, max 4 + 30 pages Economic
Life Sciences
• Follows award criteria sciences
Part B2
• Description of participants
Mathe-
• Letters of commitment matics
PhysicsOverview of the evaluation process
Receipt of Individual Consensus Panel
Finalisation
proposals evaluation group review
Admissibility/eligibili Experts assess All individual experts The panel of experts The Commssion-
ty check proposals disscuss together to reach an agreement on /Agency reviews the
the scores and results of the
individually agree on a common
comments for all
Allocation of position, including experts’ evaluation
proposal within a call,
proposals to Minimum three comments and checking consistency
and put together the
evaluators experts per scores, for each across the evaluations final ranking list
proposals (often proposal
more) If necessary, resolve
cases where evaluators
were unable to agree
Rank the proposals with
the same scoreExcellence Impact Quality and efficiency of the
implementation
Quality and pertinence of the project’s Contribution to structuring doctoral training at the Quality and effectiveness of the work
research and innovation objectives (and European level and to strengthening European plan, assessment of risks and
the extent to which they are ambitious, and go innovation capacity, including the potential for: appropriateness of the effort assigned to
beyond the state of the art) a) meaningful contribution of the non-academic sector to the doctoral work packages
training, as appropriate to the implementation mode and research field
b) developing sustainable elements of doctoral programmes
Soundness of the proposed Credibility of the measures to enhance the career Quality, capacity and role of each
methodology (including interdisciplinary perspectives and employability of researchers and participant, including hosting
approaches, consideration of the gender dimension contribution to their skills development arrangements and extent to which the
and other diversity aspects if relevant for the
research project, and the quality of open science consortium as a whole brings together
practices) the necessary expertise
Quality and credibility of the training Suitability and quality of the measures to maximise
programme (including transferable skills, expected outcomes and impacts, as set out in the
inter/multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral and gender as dissemination and exploitation plan, including
well as other diversity aspects)
communication activities
Quality of the supervision (including The magnitude and importance of the
mandatory joint supervision for industrial and joint project’s contribution to the expected scientific, societal
doctorate projects)
and economic impacts
50% 30% 20%Document describing
Proposal template Part B • Overall instructions
• Definitions
• Template with instructions
• Template without instructions
Template without instructions
Template with instructionsWhere to find information: MSCA Work
Programme
Project
MSCA Work
description
Programme,
template with
definitions DN
instructions
New principle in Horizon Europe:
➢ Information and definitions should only appear
once, to avoid any ambiguities
➢ More documents FAQ (web)
Guide for
➢ Best start at applicants
https://rea.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-grants/horizon-europe-
marie-sklodowska-curie-actions/horizon-europe-msca-how-
apply_en#ecl-inpage-293Where to find information: (cont.)
• Funding and Tenders portal
• Create and submit your proposal MSCA Doctoral Networks 2022
• Reference documents (Work programme, Application forms, evaluation forms, grant
agreements,….)
• https://rea.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-grants/horizon-europe-marie-sklodowska-curie-
actions/horizon-europe-msca-how-apply_en#ecl-inpage-293
• https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/actions/doctoral-networksGetting the concept right
DN is not a
Research Project
It is a Research
Training
Programme
20.06.2022 28Doctoral Networks should develop substantial training modules,
including digital ones, addressing key transferable skills and
competences common to all fields and fostering the culture of
Open Science, innovation and entrepreneurship. In particular,
Doctoral Networks should adequately prepare doctoral
candidates for increased research collaboration and
informationsharing made possible by new (digital) technologies
(e.g. collaborative tools, opening access to publications and to
research data, FAIR data management, public engagement and
citizen science, etc.).MSCA Green Charter and Guidelines for Supervision
• Two new publications to be aware of in the proposal development:
• Green charter: A set of general principles and objectives that promote
the sustainable implementation of research activities in line with the
European Green Deal, the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda and the
Sustainable Development Goals. The MSCA Green Charter constitutes a
code of good practice for all recipients of MSCA funding – both
individuals and institutions – and promotes the mainstreaming of
environmental considerations in all aspects of project implementation.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/2bfbb0d9-9b3c-11eb-b85c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
• Guidelines for Supervision: A set of recommendations to be adopted on
a best-effort basis by participants in the programme – both individuals
and institutions – in order to help institutions and supervisors in
guiding/mentoring MSCA researchers
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/bb02d56e-9b3c-11eb-b85c-01aa75ed71a1/language-enResubmission restrictions from the 2022 call
“Proposals submitted to the previous call of MSCA
Doctoral Networks under Horizon Europe and
having received a score of less than 80% must not
be resubmitted the following year.1»
- Purpose: Increase the successrate by decreasing
number of proposals ( 7 – 10 % successrate in
H2020)
- Does not apply to proposals submitted in
Horizon 2020
- It is not clearly defined what constitutes a
resubmission
1) Work Programme 2021-2022, MSCA page 78.• Opening of call:
12. May 2022
• Deadline for submission of proposals: (tbc)
15. November 2022 at 17:00:00, Brussels local time
What happens • Evaluation of proposals:
November 2022 – March 2023
when?
• Launch grant preparation: April 2023
• Starting dates: 1. September 2023 – March 2024Proposal submission: Gender Equality Plan (GEP)
https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/strategy/strategy-2020-2024/democracy-and-citizens-rights/gender-equality-research-and-innovation_en
33 https://kifinfo.no/nb/content/handlingsplaner-likestilling2021:
1076 DN proposals, 144 funded (18
IDs and 10 JDs)
ITN and DN NO: 157 participations, 20 funded (of
Success rates and Norwegian applications which NTNU has 7), 1 coordinator
Overall success rate 13,4%
NO success rate 12,7%
16% 350
14% 300
12%
250
10%
200
8%
150
6%
100
4%
50
2%
0
0% 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Norwegian participations
suksessrate, alle søknader norsk suksessrate, søknader Applictions with Norwegian participationEssential advice to take into consideration
• The proposal is not a research proposal, but a proposal for a training programme in research
• The weighting of criteria is 50% - 30% - 20%. You need to perform at close to 100% on each
• The employability of the early-stage researchers (fellows) is key, in and outside of academia
• The Guide for Applicants, the Work programme and the Proposal templates are Must Reads
• Follow the template
• Start early. It takes time to develop an DN consortium and training programme
• Be innovative, think outside of the box
• Be detailed, address it all
• Your reviewers may not be specialists in your field, give them reasons to rank you highly
35 17.06.2022 KolumnetittelEssential advice to take into consideration • Figures/illustrations/pictures are sometimes better than words and makes reading less boring… • Write part B, leave it for 1-2 weeks, read it carefully again. Have you explained everything in a clear language that the evaluators will understand in the way they are meant to understand it? • Ask someone to do a mock-up evaluation, use the evaluation forms https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp- form/ef/ef_he-msca_en.pdf • In the 2018 call, almost 12% of the 976 evaluators were from the private sector. Will they be pleased? • Budget: Discuss the RTN-allowance distribution with partners and beneficiaries at an early stage 36 17.06.2022 Kolumnetittel
Common pitfalls I
Collected from Evaluation Summary Reports in H2020
• Unclear research objectives
• State of the art/progress beyond poorly explained
• Lack of inter-/multidisciplinarity
• Gender aspects ignored
• High complexity of proposal
• Non-academic sector neglected
• Proposal not easy to read
• 40% rule is not respected (eligibility)
• No clear communication or dissemination plan
• Individual Researcher-projects poorly explainedCommon pitfalls II
▪ Training programme is unfocused and
not clearly presented
▪ Local host training opportunities not used
▪ Not using network wide training opportunities
▪ Balance between the two
▪ Non-academic contribution to the training is poor
▪ Transferable skills neglected
▪ Risk management neglected
▪ Impact section neglected
▪ No mention of Personal Career Development PlansMSCA-NET
• MSCA-NET: Network of the MSCA National
Contact Points started in April 2022
• Service to NCPs, but also to the community:
• Matchmaking platform (on own
webpage) https://msca.b2match.io/home
• Q&A blog
• EoI´s
• Social media platforms
• And eventually it will produce
handbooks, webinars and statistics
• https://msca-net.eu/NCP-team ERC and MSCA in Norway
Berit Sundby Avset
bsa@rcn.no, ph. 930 59 324
Per Magnus Kommandantvold
pmk@rcn.no, ph. 922 47 635
Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn:
Newsletter in Norwegian:
https://www.forskningsradet.no/eus-
rammeprogram/horisont-
europa/nyhetsbrev/You can also read
