REA uses a strict approach, meaning that for both examples the recruiting entities should check the mobility rule against both countries (even for remote work).
For Doctoral Networks, the doctoral candidates should be eligible at their recruitment date.
For Postdoctoral Fellowships, the fellows should be eligible at the date of the call closure.
In strict adherence to the definition provided, if the employment contract is established with an institution in country “A”, the researcher would not be eligible for that country, even if the work has been conducted in another (third) country.
The mobility rule takes into account both the country of residence and the country of main activity. According to this rule, recruited researchers should not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months within the 36 months immediately prior to the call deadline. It is important to note that the researcher's residence during the relevant 36-month period also holds significance.
Determining where the main activity takes place requires a case-by-case analysis, and the outcome will depend on the specific situation of each researcher. Therefore, it is not a default exclusion of the two countries involved.
The eligibility clearance of proposals will be handled by the European Research Executive Agency after the call deadline. It is therefore crucial for applicants to take full responsibility in ensuring they meet all eligibility criteria and that they provide accurate and complete information in the submission forms. This ensures a fair and transparent evaluation process for all applicants.
