New FAQs published on Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal

On 10 February 2021, new FAQs related to the COVID-19 pandemic were published and some of the existing FAQs updated with MSCA-specific clarifications.

To view some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) by MSCA project coordinators and fellows, visit the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal FAQ page.

For other questions consult the updated Guidelines for MSCA fellows and project coordinators.

New FAQs

New Frequently Asked Questions

• In MSCA Individual Fellowships, when a researcher cannot move to the country of the beneficiary/partner organisation in a third country for COVID-19-related reasons, can he/she work on the action “remotely” from his/her current place of residence?
• Can certain activities be implemented during COVID-19-related suspension periods in MSCA Research and Innovation Staff Exchange projects in order to maintain the project running and to ensure the smooth transition after the suspension?

Updated Frequently Asked Questions

• In MSCA Individual Fellowships, when a researcher cannot move to the country of the beneficiary/partner organisation in a third country for COVID-19-related reasons, can he/she work on the action “remotely” from his/her current place of residence?
• Related to the COVID-19 outbreak, is it possible in Horizon 2020 grants to postpone the starting date of the action?
• Related to the COVID-19 outbreak, how will the funding bodies handle possible delays in submitting deliverables and reports in Horizon 2020 grants?
• What supporting documentation must beneficiaries of Horizon 2020 grants keep to prove the impact of ‘force majeure’ or delays in the submission of deliverables, reports or implementation of the action due to COVID-19 outbreak?
• Can the clause on “force majeure” in the Horizon 2020 grant agreement be invoked in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak?
• Related to the COVID-19 outbreak, what happens in Horizon 2020 grants if beneficiaries cannot submit all/complete elements for their reports related to interim and final payments?
• Is there any possibility to extend the project duration of Horizon 2020 grants and to increase the EU funding due to the COVID-19 situation?
• What happens to costs in Horizon 2020 grants when there are difficulties in implementing the action due to the COVID-19 situation?
• Related to the COVID-19 outbreak, how will the Commission/Research Executive Agency (REA) handle delays in the project implementation in Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) ongoing grants?
• Will the Commission/Agency be flexible if beneficiaries need to modify the researcher recruitment and working conditions due to the COVID-19 outbreak (e.g. suspend MSCA researcher’s contract or include part-time working arrangements)?
• What happens to researcher costs in Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) when there are difficulties in implementing the MSCA action due to the COVID-19 situation?
• Can the beneficiary in Horizon 2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) pay the MSCA researcher less during the COVID-19 period, such as not to pay a mobility allowance as the researcher cannot travel?
• One of the requirements under MSCA projects is the “mobility rule” (see Part 3 of the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020). What happens if the mobility rule can no longer be fulfilled as a consequence of the COVID-19 related travel restrictions?
• In case a H2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Global Fellowships researcher decides to return to Europe during the outbreak, what will happen with the project? If teleworking is allowed, can the MSCA researcher telework either in a third country or in Europe?

MSCA on Social Media

The MSCA social media are continuously updated with relevant information for MSCA project coordinators and fellows, as well as testimonials of top-notch MSCA fellows and projects working to find solutions to challenges posed by coronaviruses and other infectious diseases.

• Follow MSCA on Twitter
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• Read some testimonials from leading MSCA fellows