Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. They are a flagship European Union funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers, operating under the Horizon Europe framework. Named in honour of the pioneering physicist and chemist Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the programme aims to foster excellence, innovation, and mobility within the European Research Area. It supports researchers across all disciplines, from fundamental science to societal challenges, through competitive, transnational fellowships and collaborative networks.

Overview and objectives

The primary mission is to equip researchers with new skills and international experience, thereby strengthening Europe's human capital in research and development. Core objectives include promoting structured doctoral training through initiatives like European Industrial Doctorates and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across institutions like CERN and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. A key principle is fostering mobility, encouraging researchers to work in countries different from their nationality or prior residence, thus building a more connected and resilient European Research Area. The programme also emphasizes open science, public engagement, and supporting the wider goals of the European Green Deal and Europe's digital transition.

Types of actions

The programme is implemented through several distinct funding schemes, each targeting a specific career stage or collaborative format. **MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships** support individual experienced researchers undertaking international mobility, often hosted by universities like the University of Oxford or the Karolinska Institute. **MSCA Doctoral Networks** fund international consortia, including partners from academia and industry such as Siemens or Novartis, to train early-stage researchers. **MSCA Staff Exchanges** promote short-term international and inter-sectoral secondments of research and innovation staff between organizations worldwide. **MSCA COFUND** co-finances regional, national, or international doctoral and postdoctoral programmes, like those managed by the German Research Foundation or Science Foundation Ireland.

Application and selection process

Proposals are submitted in response to annual calls published by the European Commission and are evaluated through a rigorous, independent peer-review process managed by the European Research Executive Agency. Evaluation panels, composed of international experts from institutions like the Max Planck Society and MIT, assess applications based on criteria of excellence, impact, and implementation. Success rates are highly competitive, often below 15%, ensuring funding is awarded to the highest-quality projects. The process is designed to be transparent and equitable, following the guidelines of the Horizon Europe regulation, with successful grants typically administered by the host institution, such as ETH Zurich or the Spanish National Research Council.

Impact and achievements

Since their inception, they have funded over 150,000 researchers from more than 130 countries, creating a vast, interconnected alumni network. Notable alumni have progressed to leadership positions at organizations like the European Space Agency, Google DeepMind, and the World Health Organization. Funded research has led to breakthroughs in fields from quantum computing to cancer immunotherapy, contributing to prestigious awards like the Nobel Prize and the Fields Medal. The programme is widely recognized for reducing brain drain, enhancing the attractiveness of the European research landscape, and setting global standards for researcher training and mobility, as noted in evaluations by the OECD.

Governance and funding

The programme is a central pillar of the first pillar of Horizon Europe, "Excellent Science," and is directly implemented by the European Commission. The overall budget for the 2021-2027 period is approximately €6.6 billion, making it one of the world's largest fellowship programmes. Strategic oversight involves the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, while daily management is delegated to the European Research Executive Agency. Funding is allocated as grants to host institutions across the EU and associated countries, supporting salaries, research costs, and mobility allowances, with additional support for organizations like the European University Association to promote the programme's values.

Category:European Union programmes Category:Research funding