National Contact Point for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

The Irish Universities Association works in partnership with the Irish Research Council in the operation of the Irish Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office (IMSCO) which holds the Marie SkłodowskaCurie Actions (MSCA) National Contact Point (NCP) and National Delegate roles for Ireland in Horizon Europe. Funding has recently been secured from the IRC for an additional NCP for MSCA for Ireland to work in the IMSCO until the end of 2024, supporting the Head of the IMSCO (MSCA National Delegate (ND) & NCP) and focusing on broadening Irish participation levels among underrepresented groups in MSCA.

National Contact Point (NCP) for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

The IMSCO supports access by Irish higher education, public and private sector organisations to the MSCA under Horizon Europe and supports applicants in preparing competitive funding proposals to MSCA Calls. Ireland’s success in MSCA has presented the opportunity to extend participation levels across sectors (universities, TUs, IoTs, enterprise, civil society), across disciplines (AHSS, STEM) and across the range of Actions within MSCA. Funding has been secured for a Programme Manager to further enhance the capacity the IMSCO in building on Ireland’s success and expanding participation levels. The IUA wishesto appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person to take up the position of NCP for MSCA.

Job Specification and Key Responsibilities & Deliverables

Reporting to the Head of the IMSCO, this additional MSCA NCP will provide a “conception to completion” service for the Irish research community for the entire Marie Skłodowska-Curie process from a researcher initially receiving information about the programme, through to proposal submission, contract negotiation and implementation. There will be a particular focus on increasing participation levels in those sectors underrepresented in Horizon 2020, in particular the technological higher education sector, enterprise, and researchers working in Arts, Humanities and Social Science disciplines (AHSS).

The NCP will adhere to the minimum standard and guiding principles for that role as set down by the European Commission.1 Reporting to the Head of the Irish Marie Sklodowska-Curie Office, the key functions of this newly appointed, additional MSCA NCP will include:

A. To support Attainment of national objectives for MSCA 

• Support the Head of Office in the delivery of IMSCO services and attainment of goals including the contribution of MSCA to the national Horizon Europe funding target;
•  Gather, analyse and pro-actively use data on the Horizon Europe MSCA to increase successful Irish participation;
• Liaise with other NCPs, funding agencies etc. to ensure dissemination and added value to researchers engaged in other Horizon Europe programmes;

B. To support Ireland’s Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) and current, future and potential applicants to MSCA

• Engage regularly with the research offices/funding managers within RPOs to encourage participation in MSCA, particularly those sectors underrepresented in Horizon 2020.
• Provide support to RPOs as they develop and implement their own plans/strategies around increasing MSCA engagement.
• Provide high-level support to potential applicants on how to develop competitive MSCA proposals;
• Provide scheme-specific training and workshops to applicants on all MSC Actions, prior to key deadlines, contributing to a suite of support programmes including webinars, “Train the Trainer” workshops, support documents/handbooks and dedicated proposal-writing workshops;
• Assist with the IMSCO’s proposal pre-evaluation service with feedback to proposals submitted in a timely manner; • Provide timely advice and analysis to applicants on the outcome of the evaluation process;
• Advise applicants with rejected proposals on their evaluation results and how to proceed with redress or resubmission;
• Advise successful applicants during the implementation phase of the project;
• Respond to general and detailed queries relating to MSCA in partnership with the Head of Office

C. To promote MSCA to increase participation 

• Promote MSCA nationally and internationally in partnership with the Head of Office;
• Increase awareness and participation of the MSCA in the technological higher education sector, engaging with relevant institutions and with the Technological Higher Education Association; 
• Increase awareness and participation of the MSCA in the Enterprise Sector by linking with the promotional mechanisms of State Agencies to multiply the message, particularly IDA and EI.
• Highlight the importance of intersectoral collaboration in MSCA projects;
• Ensure optimal uptake of COFUND (co-financing doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship programmes) and offer comprehensive individualised support to applicants;

D. Training & Mobility

• Support the Head of Office with the NET4MOBILITY+i project, an EU project for MSCA National Contact Points;
• Work closely with the EURAXESS Ireland office based in the IUA which provides advice and assistance to researchers and on mobility issues.