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.

DN: Is it advisable to submit two ‘similar proposals’ in the same call meaning slightly different consortiums and similar topics?

Legally, applicants can submit two similar proposals. The evaluation is independent and not comparative, meaning each proposal is assessed separately against the evaluation criteria only and not in comparison to other proposals. However, it is a good practice to inform the other consortium if a partner is participating in a similar, competing proposal. In addition, the applicant should consider the situation where an evaluator reads both proposals and questions the feasibility (i.e. the applicant should have and demonstrate the capacity to execute two projects).

PF: Should researchers who have submitted a proposal with a similar topic with different partners for an ERC grant answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question in form A “Has this proposal (or a very similar one) been submitted in the past 2 years in response to a call for proposals under any EU programme, including the current call?”

A “very similar” proposal or contract is one that differs from the current one in minor ways from the consortium composition and scientific point of view.

This question applies to all Horizon Europe Calls. In the context of MSCA-PF Call this question is used by the Research Executive Agency to identify resubmissions. Evaluators are not advised to look at it.

In this particular case, the applicant should include the reference to the ERC proposal in order to be transparent. However, this will not impact the resubmission check or the evaluation.

COFUND:If an applicant is submitting a COFUND proposal, which builds on a previously successful COFUND, would this be considered as a "very similar" proposal for the purpose of ticking the box in Part A?

If it is a continuation - yes, otherwise no. The number of the project should be given. Even if the applicant mentions that a similar proposal has already been submitted, this will be checked very carefully by REA. If after checking REA sees it is not the case, they will not consider it to be similar. 

DN and SE: What can be considered as a "very similar" proposal?

It depends because some proposals can be very similar, for instance in the case of resubmission; and others are not quite similar, but they are still considered similar, for instance in the case of continuation. Even if the applicant mentions that a similar proposal has been submitted, this will be checked very carefully by REA. If after checking REA sees it is not the case, they will not consider it to be similar.