Marie-Curie - FOSTERING SCIENCE

MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS (MSCA)

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions support researcher mobility and career development. They are open to all fields of research and support researchers of all ages, nationalities and skill sets. Fields of study are chosen using a bottom-up approach which gives researchers the freedom to choose their research topic.

Researchers may benefit from several actions:

Initial Training Networks (ITN)
Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)
Individual Fellowships (IF)

The MSCA program is dedicated to human resources and supporting career development for public and private sector researchers. As a result, the program is of interest to and recognized by all areas of the scientific community. Mobility, training and a bottom-up approach are the three guiding principles of the MSCA program.

MSCA tools for researchers

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions are designed to support all fields of research and innovation as covered by the Horizon 2020 agreement, from fundamental research to market commercialization. The program is open to researchers of all ages, skill sets and nationalities.

The fields of research and innovation are freely selected by researchers thanks to a bottom-up approach.

The MSCA program is open to researchers and innovators working at universities, research institutions, research centers, companies and other social or economic players located within the countries encompassed by the H2020 agreement. The program’s actions are particularly focused on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Horizon 2020 agreement resulted in the MSCA program becoming biennale. As a result, certain calls for projects are only held once every two years.

Five Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions within the Horizon 2020 framework

Innovative Training Network (ITN )

Innovative Training Networks aim to boost scientific excellence and business innovation. By developing researcher training opportunities in areas such as entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, ITNs not only offer traditional doctoral training, but also skills training to help researchers develop new career opportunities in the academic and non-academic worlds.

The MSCA program supports joint research and/or doctoral training created by partnerships between universities, research institutions, research centers, companies and other social or economic players in Europe and beyond.

There are three types of ITN projects:

European Training Networks (ETN)
European Industrial Doctorates (EID)
European Joint Doctorates (EJD)

Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)

RISE funds short-term exchanges for workers in the fields of research and innovation. The action encourages collaboration between public and private partners, academic and business partners, and international partners.

Individual fellowship (IF)

The goal of this action is to reinforce the creative and innovative potential of experienced researchers. The program provides training for researchers looking to diversify their skill set through training, international mobility and career opportunities in new fields. The fellowship aims to help expand or restart the careers of promising researchers with sufficient experience.

Cofund

The co-funding of regional, national and international programs (COFUND) serves to help finance doctoral and fellowship programs that are dedicated to experienced researchers (post-doctorate programs, research chairs, etc.).

European Researchers’ Night (NIGHT)

NIGHT provides funding for events that wish to bridge the gap between researchers and the general public by increasing awareness about research and innovation activities. The program also aims to encourage youth interest in science-oriented careers.

MSCA key points:

Mobility is an essential condition for any MSCA.

Gender mainstreaming is central to all MSCA programs. Equal opportunity is essential both in terms of the researchers receiving support and the decision process within projects.

In order to improve communication with the general public and increase their engagement, MSCA recipients are required to plan awareness events designed to meet the needs of the general public.