The Marie Curie Actions are the financial instruments, included under FP7 Specific PEOPLE programme, to support the mobility of researchers regardless of their nationality or field of research. These actions encourages European researchers to carry out their projects in Europe, and attract to Europe researchers from the entire world.  Beside the trans-national mobility, the Marie Curie Actions also aim to foster the inter-sectorial mobility between academic and private sectors. These two fold mobility objectives contribute to make research career more attractive, which is crucial for Europe.

Source: Elizabeth M.

Individual researchers interested in taking part in a Marie Curie Action have two options:

To prepare a project together with a host institution of your choice and submit it to the Commission. This options applies to:

• International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) an individual grant for Experienced Researchers willing to receive a research training in a host institution in a third country (outside Europe)
• International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) - an individual grant for Experienced Researchers based in third countries (non-Europeans) willing to receive a research training in a host institution based in Europe;
• Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development (IEF) – an individual grant allowing an Experienced Researcher to move within Europe to pursue his/her research project;
• Career Integration Grants (CIG) a lump sum to encourage Experienced Researchers to settle/return in Europe;

To apply directly to an institution that has been selected by the Commission for a Host-Driven Action. This covers:

• Initial Training Networks (ITN) an action providing training opportunities for Early Stage Researchers usually provided by a network of universities, businesses and research institutes;
• Industry Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) an action promoting partnership and collaboration between business and academia. Early Stage Researchers, Experienced Researchers, or technical research staff can participate;
• International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES) a staff exchange scheme fostering collaboration between research institutions based in Europe and in Third countries.
• Co-funding of Regional, National, and International Programmes (COFUND) a co-funding mechanism providing an-extra financial support to national, regional research mobility programmes