DN: Are multiple recruitments possible in the case of Joint Doctorates (DN-JD) and Standard Doctoral Networks (DN) projects as far as the researchers are recruited for a minimum of 3 months?

Yes, it is possible, as long as it is well described in the proposal. It will be assessed accordingly by the evaluators. However, this set-up should not be used to circumvent some other rules, like the 40% rule.

DN: How can organisations in low- and middle income non-associated countries handle the large difference in the PhD salary between the beneficiaries’ regular doctoral candidates and the MSCA doctoral candidates?

The MSCA doctoral candidates must receive minimum the living and mobility allowances (family allowance if applicable), organisations can describe this in the MSCA doctoral candidates’ employment contracts.

DN: Can Third country beneficiaries from low- and middle income non-associated countries participating in a doctoral networks project recruit doctoral candidates?

Yes, they can.

DN: Do non-academic partners have to be listed in part A?

The type of organisation (academic or non-academic) does not matter. Where and how to include project partners (in Part A and Part B) depends on the role of the organisation in the Doctoral Network; if they take part as a beneficiary or as an associated partner.

DN: Is an associated partner linked to a beneficiary located in a different country to the beneficiary be allowed to host a doctoral candidate within a Doctoral Networks project?

An associated partner linked to a beneficiary located in a different country to the beneficiary is allowed to host a doctoral candidate within a Doctoral Networks project. An example could be when a doctoral candidate is hired by a legal entity in Country A and hosted in a Research Unit administered by the legal entity in Country A but physically located in Country B.

DN, SE: Is it possible to submit similar proposals for both the Doctoral Networks call and the Staff Exchanges call, taking into account the differences between the two types of Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions?

No rules prohibit this. In case the proposal is very similar, the applicant would need to declare the previous submission in the second call (i.e. declare the Doctoral Networks submission in the Staff Exchanges proposal). Even if this is not perceived as double funding, Doctoral Networks fellows cannot be seconded in the Staff Exchanges project, as one researcher cannot benefit from two MSC actions at the same time.