Marie Curie Actions: Inspiring Researchers - Imdea

Inspiring changein the wider researchsectorsectorSince the creation of the European Charter forResearchers and The Code of Conduct for theRecruitment of Researchers, also known as theCharter and Code, a wave of change has beenspreading across Europe. Many institutions havesigned up to them and started to implement theirprinciples. Marie Curie Actions are playing a majorrole in this revolution: they are the main instrumentfor implementing the Charter and Code – all of theseprinciples are fundamental to their contracts.For instance, Marie Curie Actions require that researchersreceive an employment contract, while institutions thatare hosting Marie Curie Fellows and have in the pastgiven stipends instead of employment contracts mustnow adapt their practices. In an increasing number ofcases, the rights obtained for Marie Curie Fellows areextended to other researchers in these institutions.There are many more areas where Marie Curie Actionsare making a difference. They have signifi cantlyencouraged participation by the private sector inresearch training, and in the exchange of knowledgewith the academic world.Promoting excellenceMarie Curie Actions are also shaping policies at EU levelby requiring the teaching of complementary skills to allFellows, and making sure that training is recognised byevery institution funded.Best practices developed by the Marie Curie Actionshave been incorporated into other EU programmes. TheErasmus Mundus programme, supporting the mobilityof postgraduate Fellows, among other activities, hasdrawn from the experience of the Marie Curie Actions© CNRS Photothèque - Jérôme Chatin341