Researchers moving from Third Countries to EU Member States or Associated Countries are eligible for an IIF. To apply, 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. But that is the minimum. The more experience you have, the better will be your chances of being accepted for this action.

Your application for an IIF should be made in liaison with the organisation or institution that would be willing to host you in Europe. Host organisations can be universities, research centres or companies.

All areas of scientific and technological research that are of interest to the EU may be eligible for IIF funding. But there is one exception: research areas covered by the EURATOM Treaty cannot be funded.

IIF funding is provided for a research project which will transfer knowledge into your host organisation and building or enhancing collaborations between Europe and the rest of the world. The research project will also allow you to advance your career. Financial support is provided for 12-24 months (full-time equivalent).

Funding allows you to:

• join a European research team that doesn’t have your experience
• establish a collaboration through a research project with your lab or your country
• gain new knowledge in a European lab.

Your IIF may also cover a return phase of one year. This will be spent back in your country of origin, applying the experience that you have gained. To qualify for a return phase, you must be from one of the International Cooperation Partner Countries. These are listed at http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/documents/about-mca/actions/iif/icpc_countries_en.pdf. If you want a return phase, you must include details of it in your initial application. And you must specify the potential return host organization in your country of origin.

IIF proposals are selected in an open competition. Selection is through transparent, independent peer review, based on excellence using a series of predetermined 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 - IIF(2 MB)  English (en)