A boost for mathematics research in Italy and transnational mobility
The INDAM-COFUND (INdAM fellowships in mathematics and/or applications for experienced researchers cofunded by Marie Curie Actions) project was established to increase and support transnational mobility of researchers and to improve their working and employment conditions. Three calls were published over the course of 60 months, with 27 fellowships awarded: 15 outgoing, 10 incoming and 2 reintegration fellowships. Outgoing fellowships comprised an outgoing phase of 18 months and a return phase of 6 months, and incoming and reintegration fellowships lasted 24 months. Outgoing fellowships were for assimilated or Italian nationals, and incoming fellowships were offered to non-nationals from an EU Member State, Associated Country or third country. Italian nationals who had conducted research in a third country for at least 3 years in the 4 years prior to the call deadline were eligible for reintegration fellowships. Selected fellows, who had a doctoral degree or at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience, were recruited in accordance with a fixed amount fellowship. This included social security coverage and social benefits, along with a travel allowance, insurance costs, and two research cost contributions (one for the host institution(s) and one directly for the fellow). For each call, independent experts (referees) assisted a different INdAM-appointed panel to make the final decision for each call. The majority of referees were affiliated with foreign organisations, and each panel included at least one international expert and one expert from a private organisation. As required by the law, the calls were announced on the INdAM website and on Gazzetta Ufficiale. Fellows were free to choose their research institution, supervisors and/or collaborators, in accordance with the requirements for their particular fellowship. Research topics covered all fields of mathematics and its applications to the natural and social sciences – e.g. physics, biology, chemistry, finance and economics, computer science, engineering, industry and technology. INDAM-COFUND has made an important contribution to transnational mobility for Italian researchers. At the same time, it helped to enhance Italy's attractiveness (by encouraging reintegration of Italian researchers) and also reinforce the country's scientific excellence inside the European Research Area.
Keywords
Mathematics, transnational mobility, INdAM, INDAM-COFUND, fellowships, reintegration