Trans-national cooperation among Marie Skłodowska-Curie National Contact Points (NCP)

Topic description

Scope:

Objective:

Facilitate trans-national co-operation between National Contact Points (NCPs) for the Marie

Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA), with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and

raising the general standard of support to applicants, taking into account the diversity of

actors.

Scope:

Support will be given to a consortium of formally nominated NCPs in the area of MSCA. The

activities will be tailored according to the nature of the area, and the priorities of the NCPs

concerned. Various mechanisms may be included, such as benchmarking, joint workshops,

enhanced cross-border brokerage events, training sessions linked to MSCA as well as to

gender dimension of Research and Innovation, twinning schemes, etc. Special attention will

be given to enhancing the competence of MSCA NCPs, including helping less experienced

NCPs rapidly acquire the know-how accumulated in other countries. It will be also

encouraged to build up cooperation with other networks to increase visibility to potential

beneficiaries, especially in the non-academic sector.

The focus throughout should be on issues specific to MSCA and should not duplicate actions

foreseen in the NCP network for quality standards and horizontal issues under 'Science with

and for Society'.

Only NCPs host organisations from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and third

countries which have been officially appointed by the relevant national authorities are eligible

to participate in and receive funding for this action.

The consortium should have a good representation of experienced and less experienced NCPs.

Submission of a single proposal is encouraged. NCPs from EU Member States or Associated

Countries choosing not to participate as a member of the consortium should be identified and

the reason explained in the proposal. These NCPs are nevertheless invited and encouraged to

participate in the project activities (e.g. workshops), and the costs incurred by the consortium

for such participation (e.g. travel costs paid by the consortium) may be included in the

estimated budget and be eligible for funding by the Commission.

The Commission will only fund one proposal under this topic.

Expected impact:

• An improved and professionalised NCP service across Europe, therefore helping simplify

access to Horizon 2020 calls, lowering the entry barriers for newcomers, and raising the

average quality of submitted proposals.

• A more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe.

Type of action: Coordination and support action. The funding rate for this call is provided in

part D of the General Annexes.