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.

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.

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.

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.

Proposals are submitted in reply to a call for proposals. Calls can be found and proposals submitted through the Participant portal. You can find a list of open Marie Curie Actions calls and useful advice under "Apply now" section of this website.

• People Work programme 2013(346 KB)  English (en)
• Guide for applicants (common part)(99 KB)  English (en)
• Guide for applicants - IEF(3 MB)  English (en)