What is the deadline for applications?
The Call 1 deadline is the 16th April 2025, 23:59 (GMT).
How many fellowships are available?
Up to 3 fellowships will be awarded in the first call for proposals. If there are unfilled fellowships, future calls will be published. There will be a second call for proposals early in 2026.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship will have a three-year duration, including the research project and the secondment period.
Where are the fellowships based?
Fellowships will be based in 3 countries – Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland. Fellows in Ireland will be employed by the University of Galway. Fellows in Portugal will be based at the Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lisbon. Fellows in Switzerland will be based at Swiss Paraplegic Research. The fellows will be based in the country where their supervisor is employed. All fellows will be required to relocate to that country for the duration of their fellowship.
Can I apply for a PhD position under the Prepared fellowship programme?
No, PREPARED is a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers.
I do not have my PhD degree yet. Am I eligible to apply for a PREPARED fellowship?
Applicants who have successfully defended their PhD thesis but have not formally been awarded the doctoral degree will be eligible to apply. The successful defence must take place before the call deadline of 16th April 2025. Supporting documentation will be requested to verify this.
Can I apply for a fellowship in the country I am currently living in, or my country of origin?
PREPARED applies the MSCA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions mobility rules. This means that you cannot have resided or had your main activity (e.g work, study) in the country where you apply for a fellowship for more than 12 months in the three years leading up to the call deadline of 16th April 2025.
I am submitting (or already have submitted) an application for another Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship. Can I still apply for a PREPARED fellowship?
Yes. However, if you are successful in both applications, you can only accept one of the awards, as a researcher cannot simultaneously benefit from two Marie Sklowdowska-Curie grants. Please inform PREPARED if you want to withdraw your application or no longer want to participate in the programme.
Can I submit more than one application to the currently open call for proposals?
You can submit more than one application to the call for proposals but each application must be for a different topic with a different supervisor. You cannot submit the same proposal with different supervisors listed for the same project. You must ensure you have the support of each of the selected supervisors for the different applications. You must also ensure you meet the mobility criteria for each of the fellowship locations.
What happens after I submit my application?
You will receive an acknowledgment of your completed application. Your application will be checked to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. The ethical aspects of your proposal will be checked and if necessary, reviewed by the PREPARED Research Ethics Committee. If all checks are successful, your project will then be reviewed by three independent reviewers. Based on scores allocated by reviewers, projects will be shortlisted and successful applicants at this stage will be called to interview. Following the interview stage, scores from the reviewers will be added to scores from the interview board to create your final score. All scored applications will be ranked and up to three applicants will be offered fellowship contracts.
How will my application be reviewed and scored?
Three independent peer reviewers with no conflict of interest will review your proposal and score it in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Guide for Applicants here.
When will I find out the results of the application process?
Applicants will be informed throughout the process as their application moves through the different stages. We anticipate that all reviews will be completed by the end of May 2025 with interviews taking place by the end of June 2025, and fellowship offers being made in July 2025.
If I am successful in securing a PREPARED fellowship, when will I start?
Fellows will be employed on contract for 3 years from September 2025.
Where can I get support during the application process?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with PREPARED at prepared.eu@uiversityofgalway.ie
What kind of research topics are eligible for a PREPARED proposal?
As an applicant, you have the freedom to choose your own research project. However, it is important to ensure that your research topic aligns with the programme’s research aim – the development of disability-inclusive solutions to the most urgent global challenges of our time. Your project must also match the interests of an eligible supervisor. Before applying, you must discuss your research idea and proposal and seek the support of an eligible supervisor for your application.
If you are considering applying for a PREPARED fellowship but are uncertain if your proposal topic fits within the programme’s research scope, please contact us. We would be delighted to discuss this further with you.
What are the salary and other financial supports? Who is eligible for the family allowance?
The total gross salary awarded to fellows will be €53,505 gross salary* per annum (excluding family allowance) or €58,905 gross salary per annum (if conditions for family allowance are met). PREPARED will apply family definition as indicated in the MSCA guidelines persons linked to the fellow by (i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised, or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the fellow. Supporting documentation to confirm eligibility for the family allowance will be requested.
The salaries received with be liable for taxes and/or other deductions in each of the employing countries. Information on Irish taxation can be found on the Office of Revenue Commissioners website. Compliance with Irish law and national regulations on taxation will be a matter for resolution between the fellow, the host institution and the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
In addition, PREPARED will provide contributions towards the cost of conducting the fellowship, such as consumables, travel and training and career development activities.
I’m not an EU citizen. Can I still apply?
Yes. As a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship programme, applicants maybe of any nationality as long as they meet the programme’s eligibility criteria.
Is there an age limit for candidates applying for a PREPARED Fellowship?
No.
How will PREPARED confirm my eligibility?
You must submit Part A – Administrative Information and Part C – CV as part of your application. Please ensure that the research experience, qualifications and the details regarding the location of your work/study from 16/04/2022 to 16/04/2025 provided are correct.
During Step 1 – Eligibility Check, all applications will be checked for completeness and eligibility using the details provided in the application documents received.
Before the start of the fellowship, applicants will be required to provide evidence of the qualifications listed on their application (e.g. original certificates), proof of identity and any other relevant documentation (e.g. evidence of compliance with eligibility and mobility requirements, English proficiency, etc.).
Where information cannot be verified if requested or where information provided by the applicant is found to be incorrect, PREPARED reserves the right to eliminate the candidate from any part of the recruitment process.
What level of English language is required?
Applicants must have working proficiency in English or be fluent in English. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required provide evidence of their English proficiency.
Accepted levels or evidence includes:
How can I submit my application?
Applications must be submitted via the online application system only, this can be accessed through the PREPARED website.
PREPARED will support applications from those displaced by conflict or whose situation makes it difficult to pursue research careers. Applicants who are at risk/displaced by conflict and might require alternative submission arrangements are encouraged to discuss the support available to them with PREPARED. In certain circumstances, applications submitted in alternative formats may be accepted e.g. if the online system breaks down or using the system is inaccessible to certain applicants. However, alternative arrangements must be agreed upon with PREPARED before the call deadline.
When uploading documents to the online system, please use the following format – document title, your project acronym, your surname in the title of the document. For example, if your project acronym is INCLUDED and surname is Smyth, when uploading Part A, you need to name the upload as follows: Part A_INCLUDED_Smyth.
Please see the online application system guide available here. If you have any difficulties registering/logging in or submitting an application please contact prepared.eu@universityofgalway.ie.
Can I use generative AI to prepare my application?
As outlined in the European Commission guidelines for the responsible use of generative AI by researchers, you must declare any use substantial use of generative AI in your application. You will have to respond to a question about this on the online application system. The European Commission has declared that using generative AI as a basic author support tool is not considered a substantial use. However, carrying out a literature review, identifying research gaps, formulating research aims, developing hypotheses, etc. is considered a substantial use of AI and must be declared as part of this funding application.
I have an an accessibility issue with the website or application form, what do I do?
Please contact us at prepared.eu@universityofgalway.ie so that we can assist you.
At the application stage, do I need to submit supporting documentation as evidence of fulfilling the eligibility criteria or requirements of the call (e.g. PhD certificate, academic transcripts, etc.)
Yes, this documentation is needed at the application submission stage. You will be asked to upload such evidence into the online system.
In what language should the application and documentation be submitted?
Only applications and documentation written in English will be accepted.
Can I update my application or submit additional material/information after the call deadline?
No, it is not possible to submit additional material or information after the call deadline unless specifically requested by PREPARED.
At the application stage, do I need to have the secondment finalised? Do I need to get a letter of support from the secondment organisation?
No. The secondment plans must be included the research proposal, but it is not mandatory to specify the precise secondment host at the time of application, If fully agreed, you should provide the specific details for the secondment (host organisation, timing, duration and technical objective). If not agreed, you should provide general details (type of organisation, timing, duration and technical objective).
Where it is not possible for applicants and prospective supervisors to finalise the exact secondment host at the application stage, applicants should outline the type of organisation that they wish to be seconded to, specifying the sector. On commencing their fellowship, successful applications will be assisted in finalising a specific secondment host by their academic supervisor and PREPARED Project Manager.
A letter of support from the secondment organisation will not be required at the application stage.
If my application is unsuccessful, can I reapply?
Yes, PREPARED would encourage resubmissions which have received support from an eligible supervisor. Applicants who applied in the first call and wish to re-apply on the second call must contact an eligible supervisor again to discuss their proposal and gain their support for their second call application.
Should you require clarification or have any queries, please contact PREPARED at prepared.eu@universityofgalway.ie
PREPARED is co-funded by the European Union’s Marie Skiodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), University of Galway, and Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas Universidade de Lisboa (ISCSP); Grant Agreement Number 101179497 (Jan 2025 to Dec 2029). Call identifier: HORIZON-MSCA-2023-COFUND-01. PREPARED is also supported by Schweizer Paraplegiker-Forschung AG (SPF) and Wellspring Foundation.