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Periodic Report Summary - INSPIRE (IRCSET international mobility fellowships in science engineering and technology: co-funded by Marie Curie actions)
Quality validation date:2012-03-14
Abstract
The IRCSET-Marie Curie International Mobility Fellowships in Science, Engineering and Technology programme, or INSPIRE for short, is operated by IRCSET, the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (please see http://www.ircset.ie online). INSPIRE is co-funded by the European Commission Marie Curie Actions via an award under the FP7 COFUND programme, competitively secured by IRCSET in 2008.
The objective of INSPIRE is to provide a career development experience for Experienced researchers (ERs) based in Ireland who have not had the benefit of a previous period of research mobility. The programme enables ERs to undertake up to two years of research outside Ireland, with a one-year return period to Ireland. Eligible researchers are ERs of any nationality and/or residency, who received the majority of their research training in Ireland, and who have been an ER for no more than five years (career breaks of up to five years exempted). These ERs can freely choose the host organisations for the outgoing phase and for the return phase in Ireland. The research project may be of any topic that falls within the broad area of science, engineering and technology. The choice of host organisations and research topic must be made fitting the researcher's career development needs.
The two-year mobility period abroad allows the fellows to add an international dimension to their research career and to gain additional skills and expertise. The return phase allows the fellows to integrate fully back into Ireland, utilising and transferring the various skills they acquired during the outgoing phase. The entire fellowship will broaden and deepen the scientific and complementary skills of the researchers, thereby contributing to their career development. Career development support mechanisms such as training courses and individual development plans are provided for.
Since the programme was launched in October 2008, IRCSET have operated two calls for INSPIRE fellowships, opened in autumn 2008 and 2009. During the course of these two calls, IRCSET received 138 applications from eligible ERs and made 50 fellowship awards. The appointment conditions for the awarded fellows align with those specified in the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
The 50 fellowships are currently on-going and will end in 2013. Fellows have chosen to spend their mobility period abroad at some of the world's most prestigious research institutions including the University of Oxford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Max Planck Institute.
A recent survey of the fellows concluded that the Fellows are strongly benefitting from the mobility and career development experience offered by the fellowships. IRCSET have held two annual symposia for the fellows and are building a fellows' alumni network via the development of an online social networking site for researchers. All fellows have been encouraged to join the Marie Curie Fellowship Association.
The website for INSPIRE can be accessed at http://www.ircset.ie/Default.aspx?tabid=77. The programme has received media attention, with, e.g. an article published in Science Spin, an Irish science and technology magazine.
Collaboration sought:N/A
Related documents
| Periodic Report - INSPIRE (IRCSET international mobility fellowships in science engineering and technology: co-funded by Marie Curie actions) | 14/03/2012 |
Related Programme(s)/Projects
| Programme | Project reference | Project title |
| FP7-PEOPLE | 229520 | IRCSET international mobility fellowships in science engineering and technology: co-funded by Marie Curie Actions |
Contact person
Organization:IRISH RESEARCH COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Name:
Position:Executive Director
Address:
DUBLIN 4
ÉIRE/IRELAND
Region: ÉIRE/IRELAND Dublin
Tel:+353-1-2315006
Fax:+353-1-2315009
Email:Contact
URL:
Organization type:
Additional information
Subject index:Electronics, Microelectronics
Subject descriptors:Superconductor technology
Subject class:Materials, Industrial Manufacturing technologies
Remarks:
Record control number:51523
