Print Page | Back to Screen Version

Marie-Curie requirements

Marie-Curie Actions demand that each applicant must fulfil the following rules, as defined by the European Commission:

1. Mobility:

"To take part in most of the Marie Curie Actions, a researcher must be prepared to move country. Mobility is defined using the following criteria:
  • Firstly, the researcher should not be a national of the state in which they plan to move and carry out their research;
  • Secondly, the researcher has not lived, worked or studied in that country for more than 12 months out of the three years immediately prior to either the time of application, or the start of their work (depending on the action).
Exceptions from the first rule may be granted for European researchers that have been working outside the EU for a long period ..."

(See also The Marie Curie Actions: an overview)

Researchers from outside the EU and associated countries may apply, but, apart from the mobility criterion, there are restrictions to the number of persons the network may employ.
See for more details p. 22-23 of the RTN handbook [579 KB, PDF].

2. Working experience:

"Early-stage researchers are defined as researchers in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research activity, including the period of research training.
The reference period to qualify for an early stage training activity:
  • is counted from the diploma giving access to doctoral studies (the degree must entitle the holder to embark on doctoral studies, without having to acquire any further qualifications) in the country in which the diploma was obtained,
  • covers the first 4 years of experience in research or the period until a doctoral degree is obtained, whichever is shorter.
Persons who have obtained a doctorate are ineligible for the early stage actions, independently of the time taken to acquire it."
 
"Experienced researchers are defined as
  • researchers having at least 4 years of research experience (full-time equivalent) since gaining a university diploma giving them access to doctoral studies (the degree must entitle the holder to embark on doctoral studies, without having to acquire any further qualifications), in the country in which the degree/diploma was obtained or
  • researchers already in possession of a doctoral degree, independently of the time taken to acquire it.
Researchers with more than 10 years of research experience (full-time equivalent), counting from the time the degree/diploma was obtained and giving access to embark on a doctorate in the country where it was awarded will not be eligible for selection."

See for more details p. 20-21 of the RTN handbook [579 KB, PDF].

Next: » Supporting measures