Overview

2024 marks 40 years since the launch of the EU's first funding programme dedicated to science, research and innovation. Over the last four decades, scientists, researchers and innovators have helped the EU maintain its competitive edge in the global economy. Learn how the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) have helped brilliant researchers develop their skills and achieve scientific breakthroughs, including 18 Nobel Prize laureate and 3 winners of the European Prize for Women Innovators. Read how MSCA has supported 18 Nobel Prize laureates Learn more about the scientific breakthroughs backed by MSCA Read the interview to Anne L'Huillier, 2023 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics and former MSCA beneficiary Read the interview to Rana Sanyal, winner of the 2024 European Prize for Women Innovators

The European Commission is inviting young people, organisations and stakeholders to contribute to the public consultation on the next EU Youth Strategy. Open until 16 July 2026, the consultation will help shape future EU youth policies and priorities, ensuring that the voices of young people across Europe are reflected in the strategy beyond 2027.

Through training, mobility and international collaboration, the MSCA has long supported research and innovation in quantum science and technologies. The recently published MSCA Factsheet on Quantum Science showcases how the programme contributes to advancing the field, featuring key figures and examples from nearly 600 MSCA projects helping drive Europe’s leadership in quantum research and innovation.

Through training, mobility and international collaboration, the MSCA has long supported more inclusive and diverse research environments across Europe and beyond. The updated MSCA Factsheet on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) showcases how the programme contributes to advancing equality and inclusiveness in research, featuring key figures, initiatives and examples of projects addressing topics such as gender equality, social inclusion and equal opportunities.

The European Commission has opened the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call, with a budget of €399.05 million to support postdoctoral researchers in advancing their careers through advanced training and international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility. The fellowships will help researchers develop new skills, collaborate with leading scientific teams and broaden their expertise by gaining experience in another country.The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said:

The MSCA Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (COFUND) 2026 call is currently open. The deadline for submission of proposals is 8 April 2026.Under this call, the European Commission will award €105.5 million to support institutional, regional, national and international training and career development programmes for researchers.

The MSCA Staff Exchanges 2026 call is currently open. The deadline for submission of proposals is 16 April 2026.Under this call, the European Commission will allocate €97.9 million to fund projects promoting cooperation between organisations in the EU and around the world in the field of research and innovation.

The MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Call Information Day will take place online on 3 June 2026, offering prospective applicants and stakeholders detailed guidance on the upcoming call. The event will present the key requirements and novelties of the 2026 call, with a particular focus on Industrial and Joint Doctorates, as well as the new RAISE Doctoral Networks for AI in Science pilot initiative

On 13 May 2026, the European Commission will host a workshop presenting the findings of a recent study on the economic impact of improving access to and reuse of research results, publications and data for scientific purposes. The study includes contributions from researchers, research-performing organisations and research funders, and addresses topics highly relevant to the wider research and innovation community.

The European Commission’s annual science fair Science is Wonderful! returns to Brussels from 18 to 20 March 2026 at the Maison de la Poste, Brussels, Belgium. More than 150 researchers from across the world will showcase their work through hands-on experiments, interactive activities and science shows, giving pupils, families and science enthusiasts a chance to discover the excitement of EU-funded research.