Costs covered in the MSCA PF

The grant provides an allowance to cover living, travel and family costs. In addition, the EU contributes to the training, networking and research costs of the fellow, as well as to the management and indirect costs of the project. The grant is awarded to the host organisation, in this case, Örebro University.

The beneficiary must pay to the postdoctoral researcher at least the amount of the living allowance (minus all compulsory deductions under national legislation). A top-up may be paid to the researcher in order to complement this contribution. In addition to the living allowance, the postdoctoral researcher must receive a mobility allowance. This allowance covers his/her private costs, not professional costs under the action, which are covered by the research, training and networking contributions.

If the postdoctoral researcher has or acquires family obligations during the action duration, i.e. has persons linked to him/her by (i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised; or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher, the family allowance must be paid to him/her as well.

The long-term leave allowance contributes to the beneficiary’s pay obligations related to researchers’ leave, including maternity, paternity, parental, sick or special leave, longer than 30 consecutive days.

The special needs allowance contributes to the additional costs of researchers with disabilities, whose long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments[2] are certified by a competent national authority and of such nature that their participation in the action may not be possible without the acquisition of special needs items or services. These special needs items or services shall not have been funded from another source (e.g. social security or health insurance). Both long-term leave and special needs allowances should be requested when the need arises.

The research, training and networking contributions should cover, for example, costs for training and networking activities that contribute directly to the researchers’ career development (e.g. participation in conferences, trips related to work on the action, training, language courses, seminars, lab material, books, library records, publication costs), research expenses, visa-related fees and travel expenses, additional costs arising from optional secondments (e.g. travel and accommodation costs).

The management and indirect contributions should cover the beneficiary’s additional costs in connection with the action.

The above rates apply to postdoctoral researchers devoting themselves to their project on a full-time basis.

[1] The pre-defined categories are as follows: EUR 3 000, EUR 4 500, EUR 6 000, EUR 9 500, EUR 13 000, EUR 18 500, EUR 27 500, EUR 35 500, EUR 47 500 and EUR 60 000.

[2] See Article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.