YOUNG RESEARCHERS

What are Young Researchers?

Young Researchers are pre- or post-doctoral students employed under the RTN. Under the European Commission's terminology, these are referred to as Early Stage and Experienced Researchers respectively.

Early stage researchers are receiving training in one of the participating institutions while working towards their doctoral thesis. These appointments, at institutions based outside their home countries, can last between 3 and 36 months. They are not meant as a substitute for a full PhD course, but rather as a good opportunity to receive funding for their research, interact with other senior and young researchers abroad, create a network of fellow researchers with the same interests and assist them to develop their academic career.

Experienced researchers are students who have completed their doctoral studies and have less then 10 years research experience. Their main role is to participate in Transfer of Knowledge activities at the institution of their appointment; but also present at the network workshops, mentor early stage researchers and gain research experience that will help them move on the career ladder. Experienced researchers are employed between 3 and 12 months and are also expected to work in a country different than their home country.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility criteria set by the European Commission can be somewhat complicated. Below you may find a description of these criteria. If you have any doubts or questions about your eligibility, please contact us.

BOTH for Early Stage and Experienced Researchers, the following criteria and restrictions apply:

• They should be nationals of an EU Member/Associated State other than that of the host organisation, unless they have been active in research in a Third country for at least four of the last five years
• At the start of their fellowship/activity, researchers may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference deadline for eligibility. Short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

ADDITIONALLY:

Early-stage Researchers should be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research activity, including the period of research training, and not hold already a doctoral title.

Experienced Researchers should be researchers with at least 4 years, but no more than 10 years, of research experience (full-time equivalent) since gaining a university diploma entitling the holder to embark directly on doctoral studies 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.

Both for early stage and experienced researchers, the following exceptions may apply:

• Researchers holding dual nationalities: they are able to carry out a period of mobility in the country of their nationality in which they have not resided during the previous 5 years. Short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.
• Third country Researchers based outside the EU and Associated States: a maximum of 30% of the number of funded researcher-months. This percentage could be exceeded in exceptional cases under the condition that the excess is duly justified as being essential to attain the objectives of the action.
• Third Country researchers who have been already active for at least 4 years within the Member or Associated States: these are treated as nationals of the Member/ Associated State in which they have resided the longest.

Rewards and Benefits

Young Researchers are fully funded by the RTN. The gross annual allowances start from:

• 27,000 EUR for Early Stage Researchers
• 41,000 EUR for Experienced Researchers

These amounts differ between institutions as a co-efficient is applied depending on the overall price level of each country.

In addition to the monthly living allowance young researchers can expect to receive the following allowances:

• Travel allowance to take up the position and yearly thereafter between the host institution and their country of origin.
• Mobility allowance, which is a monthly payment that helps to compensate the researcher for the additional expenses that are normally incurred when working abroad (e.g. relocation; family charges, language courses, rent accommodation, etc).
• Career exploratory allowance paid once during a fellowship of at least one-year duration.
• Participation expenses, met by the RTN, to cover real costs related to their training, networking and transfer-of-knowledge activities.

The UEE project ended on 31 October 2008. Recruitment is closed.