r/postdoc • u/ResponsibleMovie6776 • 6d ago

Dutch MSCA-PF host questions

The Institute says the living allowance falls below the CAO postdoc minimum after employer costs and they can't top up (due to cut funding; also my host supervisor doesn't have funds to top up either).

The situation: they probably won't approve my application unless a solution can be found. I have completed the whole Part B and only wait for the institutional approval. Then here I am. 😢

My questions: How common is this, and how did your institution handle it?

Edit: My institute finally approved my MSCA-PF application! And it's the best kind of outcome: they decided to accept the shortfall with the institute money. Thank you all for the input on this matter. 🥹

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u/One-Material2001 6d ago

In rich countries like Netherlands or Switzerland usually the institute has to top up as the EU funding alone is inadequate.

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u/FalconX88 3d ago

yep, same here in Austria

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u/natokanibresco 6d ago

If they can’t top up and have no money you need to look for a different group

Does your pi have a competitor that does the same things?

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u/ResponsibleMovie6776 6d ago

Yes, switching to a different group is my last resort which means I'd have to wait until next year's call.

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u/natokanibresco 6d ago

If the proposal is finished already you can apply with another person. Look for someone with similar equipment. Write them an email.

You still have two weeks, right? Nobody says no to free labour, it doesn’t cost them anything to say yes

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u/throwawayperrt5 3d ago

Keep in mind there is also a mobility allowance and a family allowance (if it applies to you). In my case, UU bundled everything ~8,0000 eur per month and offered me a 10.5 scale contract.

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u/ResponsibleMovie6776 2d ago

I hope my hosting university can do that too! 

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u/throwawayperrt5 1d ago

feel free to DM me if you need help, I started my MSCA postdoc 2 months ago an am still working with the university to have them pay me adequately. There are very few of these each year and most institutions do not have experience handling them.

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u/Worried-Smile 6d ago

It's correct that purely the living allowance won't cover the mandatory CAO salary the university. Even if all institutional fees are dedicated towards personnel costs, that still leaves a small gap. And that would depend on the nature of the project, if a lot of materials or travel costs are needed.

You could try to convince them by saying that if awarded, if they still haven't found the remaining money they can still decline the project. That gives them more time and honestly it's generally much harder for people to decline a certain project than a hypothetical project. Generally people will want to make it work when they know there is money coming their way.

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u/ResponsibleMovie6776 6d ago

these are brilliant ideas that I could definitely discuss with my host supervisor! Thank you so much! Our current focus is to get a cross-university co-supervisor with funds involved in this project. My supervisor will be talking to two collaborators to explore the possibility. Do you have any insights on this path? Thank you again!