Being part of a European Network

Lowry McCombDurham University

t.j.l.mccomb@durham.ac.uk

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Durham University

• Approx. 1600 research students• Approx. 350 post-docs• Recently good success with FP7 funding

– Major COFUND award 2010– 50% success rate with MC Fellowships 2011– 23 ITN applications 2012

• EURAXESS Local Contact Point 2009• HR Excellence in Research 2011

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1. Participation in Network events

• Training sessions• Conferences – twice yearly conference (2011 Cyprus)

+ other project conferences• Seminars• Working Groups

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Networking Working Group

• Essentially a think-tank to further develop the EURAXESS network

• One rep from each country (LM UK rep)• Meet roughly 3 times/year – 1 day meetings• Tasks

– Rewrite Declaration of Commitment– Define development and support requirements for

incoming researchers with mobile research grants– etc

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2. Use of EURAXESS logo

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3. Use of EXTRANET

• Internal communication platform for EURAXESS members

• Ready access to specialist advice particularly for researchers moving to another European country

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4. Information and training material

• Material available for information and training for support staff

• Beginning to build up material for supporting skills development for internationally mobile researchers

• Several projects in this area likely in next few years

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5. Participation in EC funded projects

• Some FP7 calls restricted to EURAXESS participants only

• e.g. Current call (closing date 18th April 2012)• 2M euro to fund up to 10 projects• All participants must be EURAXESS members• Call designed to support European mobility• Trans-national Collaboration among EURAXESS

members on topics related to the Innovation Union• Collaborations already forming

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6. Free promotion material

• Wide range of EURAXESS-branded merchandise available for promotional work

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7. Increased visibility

• Value in recruitment – recognised ‘kite mark’ for incoming researcher support

• Potential value in funding applications – ‘kite mark’ recognised within EC funding schemes

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8. Guidance and support

• From both EC and bridge head organisation

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9. Networking opportunities

• Across Europe – generally travel funding available• Today

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10. Networking statistics

• Access to EURAXESS networking statistics• May ultimately provide useful information on

researcher mobility in Europe

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Thank you for listening