1) What in basic terms were H2020 MSCA-ITN?

In the framework of Horizon 2020, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (MSCA-ITN) were doctoral training networks that supported the funding of consortia to recruit and train Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) over a period of 3-36 months with the particular focus on mobility, cross-disciplinary research, and experience in both academic and non-academic industries. 

2) Who would be a beneficiary in an MSCA-ITN?

Institutions in EU Member States or other countries were eligible as beneficiaries, either academic or non-academic, including SMEs, large companies, and research organisations in the EU. Each beneficiary had to:

Recruit not less than one ESR, not less than 3-36 months,

Offer scientific and/or non-scientific training, regularly with entrepreneurship, transferable skills, and secondments. 

3) Who was considered an Early-Stage Researcher (ESR)?

In MSCA-ITN, ESRs were: 

-From any country,

-Fewer than 4 years of full-time research experience beyond acquiring a master’s degree (or equivalent, etc.),

-Who had not stayed in the host country over a period of less than 12 months in the last 36 months (the mobility rule).

This definition better positioned ITNs as a very attractive option to young researchers interested in getting the international PhD-type experience.

4) What were the top three MSCA-ITN?

-ETN – European Training Networks. 

• At least 3 beneficiaries of 3 countries which are connected with EU or other countries.
• The involvement of the non-academic sector highly promoted.
• Admission to a PhD programme was not obligatory.

-EID – European industrial doctorates. 

• A minimum of 2 beneficiaries (1 academic and 1 non-academic) in 2 other EU/associated countries.
• At the project completion, ESRs have to acquire a PhD.
• Compulsory co-supervision (an academic supervisor and a non-academic supervisor).
• The ESRs dedicate more than 50% of their time to the non-academic sector.

-EJD – European Joint Doctors-European. 

• Minimum 3 beneficiaries with the ability to award a PhD.
• Minimum number of EU/associated countries is 3.
• The ESRs are required to receive a joint, dual, or multiple PhD, usually in at least two member universities.

5) What was the budget of MSCA-ITN?

Funding and generous support of ESRs, as well as flat-rate contributions to the host: 

-Family, mobility, and living allowances of the researcher (gross salary of approximately EUR3,150/month with country correction coefficient).

-EUR1,800/month, per ESR, research, training, and networking costs.

-EUR1,200/month per ESR managerial and indirect expenses.

It was this structure that has made ITNs as one of the most appealing schemes to construct the well-supported international doctoral networks.

6) What did MSCA-ITN actually invest in activities?

The basic ITN projects were:

-Each ESR has individual research projects that are within a coherent network theme.

-Local and network training (schools, workshops, secondments, transferable skills).

-High emphasis on mobility (international and intra scholastic/non scholastic).

-Designated supervision and career development programmes of every ESR.

In technical subjects such as microfluidics, this implied that ESRs could be trained in both basic science and practical instrumentation and business.

7) In what way would an industrial SME such as the Microfluidics Innovation Center become part of MSCA-ITN / doctoral networks?

-MIC has offered expertise to over 30 European projects.

-It offers microfluidic tools and flow-control expertise, and makes ideas work.

-It also equips ESRs with entrepreneurship, innovation, and market-driven research, which is one of the fundamental requirements of MSCA-like projects.

Practically, MIC frequently serves as the non-academic beneficiary or partner on which the industrial component of the training network is tied.

8) What tangible opportunities do ESRs get when MIC is incorporated into the network?

Essential success factors when MIC is used are usually:

-Personal contact with the state-of-the-art microfluidic engineering and instrumentation.

-Prototyping experience, validation, and technology transfer.

-Innovation, IP awareness, valorisation, and business thinking training, which supplements academic supervision.

This aspect would make ESRs more workable in academia and industry and align with the MSCA’s need to advance career outlooks.

9) Does MSCA-ITN continue to operate, or what about Horizon Europe?

The H2O 20 labelling was MSCA-ITN; under Horizon Europe, the corresponding scheme is MSCA Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), with slightly different logic but new rules and templates. To the researcher conversant with ITN, the concepts such as networks, ESR/doctoral, and industrial exposure have a direct carryover. The MIC page explicitly directs the readers to additional Horizon Europe tips and tricks on MSCA proposals and related issues. 

10) What should we do to engage MIC in developing a new MSCA-DN / doctoral network?

You can involve MIC as:

-Non-academic beneficiary having one or more doctoral candidates and hosting them,

-An associate organisation providing secondments, special training schools, or co-supervision on microfluidics and instrumentation,

-One of the main participants in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation training, the awareness of ESRs of IP, prototyping, and market-oriented research. 

The need to have a long track record in EU consortia and microfluidic systems, as well as including MIC, tends to enhance the training aspect and the credibility of the implementation of doctoral network proposals.