Executive summary

The COFUND programme was introduced in 2007 as a new MSC Action in FP7. Since then, 17 calls for proposals have been published. COFUND programmes award fellowships to doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to focus on scientific and transferable training and career development and improved employability, both in the academic and non-academic sector.

Applicants submit proposals for new or existing doctoral or postdoctoral programmes with an impact on the enhancement of human resources in Research & Innovation (R&I) at regional, national or international level. Proposed programmes have a bottom-up approach, with flexibility/freedom for the researchers to define their research topic and choose their supervisor.

This report presents the outcomes of a Feedback to Policy exercise focusing on the COFUND action and provides recommendations at both a practical and a policy level. It is part of a broader Feedback to Policy effort in which the actions are reviewed based on feedback from key stakeholders in order to ensure that the MSCA remain fit for purpose.

The report is divided into 4 chapters:

• Chapter 1 – Background and methodology
• Chapter 2 – Exchange of experience and good practice (best practices and feedback from beneficiaries and NCPs)
  
  • Training;
  • Evaluation, selection and recruitment process;
  • Co-funding sources;
  • Administrative support;
  • Interdisciplinarity with focus on industry; and
  • Dissemination and communication of research results.

• Chapter 3 – Practical recommendations (for NCPs and applicants)
• Chapter 4 – Policy recommendations