Participation in research projects

by Raquel Manzano Martinez
1 min read Mar 14, 2018
Dear all, I am a Marie Curie IEF fellow in University of Zaragoza, I started a couple of weeks ago and discussing with the European project office in my University, they pointed out that I cannot apply for or be member of any research project team during the Marie Curie action since the Grant Agreement stated that the fellow must work exclusively for the Action. I find this clause extremely limiting and worrying since our possibilities of career development and stabilization, particularly in academia, depend on gaining leadership merits, especially obtaining funding as a PI and participating in research projects. I would like to ask if any of you had the same problem and if/how did you managed it? Many thanks for your help, Best wishes, Raquel

4 Comments

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Francisco José Eiroa-Orosa
Mar 14, 2018

Hola Raquel,

That is not necessarily true. As long as the project does not include funding for your salary or training, you should be able to apply. If not, for people with projects with a lot of costs (i.e. chemistry, phisics...) wouldn't be able to do anything.

In my case (I'm a psychologist), I have applied for projects connected with the Marie Curie project. The funding has been basically for PhD students and interviewers, as my project includes a lot of outreach activities that can be used for dissertations. It is true that it was mentioned in my application that I will be doing so, and what is contanied in the proposal, is "sacred". I donrd know how your project conceptualised your prospects in the research system. I mean, if you "sold" that what you need is two years of complete peace, maybe it would be not compatible with further applications.

 

Best regards

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Raquel Manzano Martinez
Mar 15, 2018

Hi Francisco!

That is basically my case too, I work in genetics and the funding included in the Marie Curie is far too short for consumables, reagents, animals etc...

In my case I did not specify in the proposal that I would be applying to other projects since I assumed that was part of the career development activities just like attending conferences or teaching. I did mention that I would be enrolling a program in my university to promote transversal skills such as project management and proposal writing.

I believe the key aspect here then is to justify adequately that the funding I would be applying for is related to the Marie Curie.

Thanks a lot for your reply!!

Best wishes,

Raquel

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Francisco José Eiroa-Orosa
Mar 15, 2018

I would ask your project officer. Try to build a logical case, things are not black or white... Your project itself has been already fully financed, so the idea is that you are just securing the continuity of your line of research which is itself part of the project.

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Francisco José Eiroa-Orosa
Jun 05, 2018

Individual Fellowships Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q23: I would need additional funding for personnel and lab equipment not covered by the MSCA. Can I apply for another grant in that respect? A: Yes. The MSCA scheme does not prevent the host institution from receiving this kind of extra funding as long as the same costs are not reimbursed by both grants and the researcher does not receive (for activities carried out in the frame of the action) other incomes than those received from the beneficiary.