Initial Training Networks (ITN)
Embarking on a research career is not always easy. Marie Curie Initial Training Networks offer early-stage researchers the opportunity to improve their research skills, join established research teams and enhance their career prospects.
Who can apply?
Usually, at least three participants join together to propose a coherent programme for an ITN. The participants can be universities, research centres or companies (large or small).
There is one exception to the minimum of three. Single research organisations may sometimes get ITN support. However, if there is no formal network well-established, international collaboration with other research institutions will have to be demonstrated.
What does the funding cover?
- Recruitment of researchers who are in the first five years of their career for initial training – for instance, they may be studying for a research-level degree (PhD or equivalent) or be doing initial post-doctoral research.
- Recruitment of a limited number of experienced "visiting" researchers of outstanding stature in international training and collaborative research, so that they can strengthen knowledge transfer. Such researchers should be exceptional and duly justified in the context of the training programme.
- Networking activities, workshops or conferences that involve research staff from the participating research establishments and external researchers.
How does the network operate?
The network will recruit and employ eligible researchers or host them, and provide specialised training modules or other dedicated actions. The application should contain a strong element of trans-national networking, aimed at structuring the existing high-quality initial research training capacity throughout EU Member States and Associated Countries.
Training should be primarily through research on individual, personalised projects, complemented by substantial training modules in other relevant skills and competences.
Examples of training topics are: Management and financing of research projects and programmes, intellectual property rights, means of exploiting research results, entrepreneurship, ethical aspects, communication and societal outreach.
ITNs are mainly for the recruitment of researchers from EU Member States and Associated Countries, but the scheme is also open to researchers from Third Countries. Researchers supported by an ITN are normally required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up an appointment.
Successful proposals are funded for up to 4 years. Support provided by the networks to individual researchers may be from 3 to 36 months for early stage researchers or up to a maximum of 24 months for experienced researchers.
Which topics can be funded?
Any research field in the humanities or science may qualify for ITN funding with the exception of research areas covered by the EURATOM Treaty. An emphasis on interdisciplinary and newly emerging supradisciplinary fields will count in your proposal's favour.
Who decides?
ITN proposals are selected in an open competition. Selection is through transparent, independent peer review, based on excellence using a series of predetermined criteria.
Last updated on: 2008-12-22