Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

The MSCA4Ukraine scheme, funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, has published today its call for applications to support displaced researchers from Ukraine. Interested host organisations and researchers can already start preparing their applications and access the scheme’s matchmaking services and call specifications on the MSCA4Ukraine website. An ’Information Day’ for prospective host organisations will be organised on 6 October.

The meeting of Nobel Laureates in Physiology and Medicine will be held from 25 to 30 June 2023 in Lindau, Germany. About 600 young scientists from all over the world will get the unique chance to spend an inspiring week with some 40 Nobel Laureates to exchange experiences and establish valuable contacts in science and beyond. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are giving current and past fellows the opportunity to attend this unique event: apply now!

Funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the European Researchers' Night is a Europe-wide public event, which displays the diversity of science and its impact on citizens' daily lives in fun, inspiring ways. This year, the event will take place in 25 countries on Friday, 30 September 2022. Visit the events to meet researchers and discover the fascinating world of science in a fun and interactive environment – with family or on your own.

On 12 October, the MSCA will be present at the EU Regions Week 2022 with a session dedicated to the EU's support for the Ukrainian academic community. Distinguished speakers will share their experiences in managing projects, hosting researchers and being hosted as a researcher and discuss the role of local/regional authorities in defending academic freedom and supporting at-risk researchers. Register now!

MSCA Doctoral Networks provide support to partnerships of organisations from different socio-economic sectors across Europe to implement doctoral programmes. The aim is to train highly skilled doctoral candidates, stimulate their creativity, enhance their innovation capacities and boost their employability in the long-term. The current call has a budget of €427 million and will close on 15 November 2022.

Through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions’ COFUND action, the EU provides organisations established in the EU or Horizon Europe Associated Countries with financial support for new or existing regional, national and international training programmes through cofunding mechanisms. The action is open to applicants managing training programmes for researchers at doctoral and postdoctoral level.

The Marie Sklowdowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchange action supports international consortia of universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs and other non-academic organisations to exchange their staff for up to 12 months. These exchanges offer unique opportunities for researchers and innovators, who can use Staff Exchange to enlarge their networks, share knowledge and turn cutting-edge research into innovative products and services.

The Italian Ministry for University and Research has created a new scheme for MSCA researchers funded by Postdoctoral Fellowships under Horizon Europe or Individual Fellowships under Horizon 2020. The initiative will support 200 young researchers to put in place outstanding projects in Italian research organisations after their MSCA fellowships, for up to 3 years. Check the full details and eligibility conditions and apply by 11 October.

The Italian Ministry for University and Research has created a new scheme for MSCA Seal of Excellence holders who applied to Postdoctoral Fellowships under Horizon Europe or Individual Fellowships under Horizon 2020. The initiative will support 400 young researchers to put in place outstanding projects in Italian research organisations. Check all details and eligibility conditions and apply by 11 October 2022.

The Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization has created a new scheme for MSCA Seal of Excellence holders who applied to Postdoctoral Fellowships under Horizon Europe or Individual Fellowships under Horizon 2020. The Ministry has published documents and updates on the new scheme in Romanian as well as a guide for applicants in English. The scheme will allow EU researchers to put in place outstanding projects in Romanian research institutions. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is supporting Japanese researchers participating or willing to participate in MSCA Staff Exchanges with funding under two of its schemes. The “Bilateral Research Projects” and “Core-to-Core Program” schemes will provide additional funding to successful organisations involved in Staff Exchanges projects to boost research and innovation exchanges.

The second call of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-funded Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme closed on 14 September 2022. The European Research Executive Agency received 7 044 proposals. By comparison, 8356 proposals were submitted in 2021 and over 1200 were eventually selected for funding. For the first time this year, resubmission restrictions apply for applications that received a score below 70% in the previous call.

The study provides an in-depth analysis of MSCA mobility flows and recommendations for a more balanced movement of researchers and talent (“brain circulation”) in the European Research Area. It analyses in depth geographical and inter-sectoral mobility patterns under the previous Framework Programme Horizon 2020, investigates to what extent the MSCA help retaining European talents and attracting foreign researchers to Europe and European researchers back to Europe and provides policy recommendations for a more balanced brain circulation in the European Research Area.

Interested in applying for MSCA funding? You might not know the programme’s synergies with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). A new guide explains the programmes’ connections and potential benefits for organisations or individuals involved in either programme. It illustrates how their project could benefit from the activities of other projects and innovation communities, or inspire a spin-off project in the other programme.

The European Joint Doctoral (EJD) cluster event, which took place on 9 November 2021, is part of the Commission's strategy to promote networking and exchanges between participants in MSCA-funded projects and to set up cluster meetings gathering projects working in the same area. The EJD cluster event enabled participants to share the lessons learned through EJD projects, to discuss the encountered challenges and to provide inputs for the policy-making process at the European Commission.

This unofficial document prepared by the MSCA National Contact Points (NCP) via the MSCA-NET project will help you to prepare your Doctoral Networks 2022 proposal. Tips, advice, common mistakes and more will guide your through your application process. Check it now!

The Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment sets a shared direction for changes in assessment practices for research, researchers and research performing organisations, with the overarching goal to maximise the quality and impact of research. The Agreement includes the principles, commitments and timeframe for reforms and lays out the principles for a Coalition of organisations willing to work together in implementing the changes. Read it and sign it now!

All beneficiaries of EU funding are legally obliged to communicate about their project and its results to the wider public. Making your project visible is crucial to reach out to relevant stakeholders, build new collaborations or to find your way into the market. The Commission offers various resources, free of charge, to support you with these requirements. Consult the link and the new handy flyer below for guidance on how to communicate your project and build a solid communication strategy.