More support for regional research development
The EU-funded I-MOVE (Initiative for the mobility and development of researchers’ careers) project helped enhance competitiveness and innovation by sponsoring an ER fellowship scheme for the Italian region of Umbria. Researchers with a PhD or accepted MD gained experience at renowned research institutions in Europe and in Italian research laboratories. This facilitated their reintegration into the regional scientific and industrial community. Covering both short- and long-term fellowships, the scheme was realised through a total of four calls. It was open to all relevant ERs in the national and international scientific community, and fell under the Marie Curie Actions of the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). It comprised both incoming and outgoing mobility schemes. Emphasis was placed on outgoing mobility schemes to help Italian researchers acquire new skills and expertise at institutions abroad. Scientists from abroad were also part of I-MOVE’s focus, as the project attracted them to newly built Italian biomedical centres and fostered international collaboration. Specifically, I-MOVE welcomed applications in a wide range of topics, including molecular and cell biology, vaccine development, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics and control of infectious diseases. Awarding a total of 34 fellowships over its 5-year duration, it gave out 23 long-term (24 months) and 11 short-term (6 to 12 months) fellowships. Of the 34 fellowships, 28 were successfully completed, with over 60 % of the awards being allocated to outgoing mobility schemes. The project was very successful in terms of impact and outcomes of its individual funded projects. Its fellows travelled to first-class research institutions worldwide, gained access to better funding and secured long-term partnerships. Two thirds of the proposals submitted came from Italian researchers who sought fellowships in key research institutions in Europe and the United States, and 64 % of those awarded were women. I-MOVE promoted the acquisition of knowledge and technology in fields marked as future drivers of research and product innovation. This will enable the fellows to return to Italy and find work or establish their own enterprises in Umbria.
Keywords
Research development, life sciences, I-MOVE, fellowships, mobility schemes