Universities, research institutes and enterprises can apply for the funding of structured doctoral training programmes in international networks on the basis of a common research project.

In the current work programme 'People' 2012, the ITN scheme has been restructured and is set up in 3 different implementation modes.

Requirements

1) Multi-Partner ITNs (ITN)

Initial Training Networks need at least 3 participants from different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Partners in 'Other Third Countries' (OTC) can only participate in multi-partner projects, if the minimum requirement of at least 3 European participants is fulfilled. OTC partners from industrialised countries (e.g. from the USA, Canada or Japan) can only receive funding from Marie Curie, if their contribution is essential for the project or foreseen in a bilateral scientific and technological agreement.

A highly important requirement is the integration of industrial partners as full partners, providers of training or members of the mandatory Supervisory Board of an ITN. 

2) Innovative Doctoral Programmes (IDP)

One single institution can apply for an IDP in liasion with associated partners which provide for an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary training programme for the young researchers.

Fellows who are recruited in Multi-partner ITNs and IDPs should work on their own doctoral project, but should also benefit from a specialised training programme consisting of further scientific training and soft/complementary skills.

3) European Industrial Doctorates (EID)

The new programme EID promotes collaborations between academic and industrial partners which would like to cooperate in the joint supervision of PhD students. The PhD student must be enrolled in a doctoral programme, spend at least 50% at the partner in the private sector and be supervised by both partners. A consortium agreement for EID is mandatory.

Recruitment rules for young researchers in Multi-partner ITNs, IDP and EID:

Multi-partner ITNs should primarily recruit PhD students between 3 months and 3 years. There is the option of additional recruitment of 'early' postdocs between 3 months and 2 years.

Please consider: the recruitment of post-docs is not possible in 'Innovative Doctoral Programmes' and 'European Industrial Doctorates'.

The following principles apply for all implementation modes:

The young researcher must be employed on a full time basis and receive a salary which is determined by the European Commission.

The financial support covers the salaries for the fellows and coordination, management and overhead costs of the institutions.

Application procedure

Proposals can be submitted to the relevant deadlines via the Electronic Proposal Submission System (EPSS). 

ITN in brief:

Type of action: training networks with European/international partners

Who is qualified:

'Multi-Partner ITNs': consortia consisting of at least 3 organisations (universities, research institutes, enterprises etc.) from different EU Member States or Associated Countries

'Innovative Doctoral Programmes' (IDP): at least one organisation in an EU Member State or Associated Country with several associated partners

'European Industrial Doctorates' (EID): at least 2 organisations from different EU Member States or Associated Countries

Activities: research projects, (intersectoral) secondments, training courses, summer schools, etc.

Duration of funding: 4 years

Topic of the project: open to all fields of research

What will be funded:

• researchers: salary, supplementary allowance for research and travel costs
• applying organisations: contributions for training and networking activities, conferences, coordination and management costs, lump sum for indirect costs

Application: online at specific deadlines