Intra-European Fellowships for career development (IEF)

At various stages of their career, experienced researchers may welcome an opportunity to acquire new research skills or to work in other sectors. This broadening of their horizons also helps to broaden Europe’s knowledge base. In turn, that makes our economy more competitive, providing more and better jobs.

So at Marie Curie Actions, we have developed our Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development (IEFs). They are specifically aimed at helping experienced researchers to try something new for a while.

Who can apply?

Researchers based in EU Member States or Associated Countries can apply for an IEF. You must have either a doctoral degree or at least 4 years’ full-time research experience, after obtaining a degree permitting you to embark on a doctorate. Generally, you must carry out the project on the premises of a host organisation in an EU or Associated Country other than your own. Special consideration is also given to those returning to a research career after a break.

Which topics can be funded?

IEF proposals are welcomed from all areas of scientific and technological research. But there is one exception: research areas covered by the EURATOM Treaty cannot be funded.

What does the funding cover?

IEF funding is provided for advanced training. This may include the acquisition of new and/or complementary skills, and transnational mobility. The training is based on a personal career development programme agreed between the researcher and the supervisor at the host organisation. Financial support is provided for a period of 12-24 months (full-time equivalent), for individual projects presented by experienced researchers from Member States or Associated Countries in liaison with a host organisation from a Member State or Associated Country.

The types of training might include:

• Training-through-research under supervision, through an individual personalised project
• Hands-on training to develop your scientific skills (new techniques or instruments, etc.) and your complementary skills (proposal preparation to request funding, patent applications, project management, tasks coordination, technical staff supervision, etc.)
• Intersectoral or interdisciplinary knowledge transfer
• The capacity to build collaborations
• Active scientific and financial management of your research project
• Developing organisational skills through organisation of training or dissemination events.

Who decides?

IEF proposals are selected in an open competition. Selection is through transparent, independent peer review, based on excellence using a series of pre-determined criteria.

How do we apply?

Proposals are submitted in reply to a call for proposals. Calls can be found on the “When to apply page” of the Marie Curie Actions website, which also contains all useful information about the actions: http://ec.europa.eu/mariecurieactions