The Guild: we need much more Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions!

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are the European Union's (EU) reference programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training. In the preparation of the new framework program of the EU, the future of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) has become unclear. MSCA budgetary limitations are threatening to make it less attractive for researchers across and beyond Europe. Thus, the message from the research sector is clear: we need much more MSCA!

The Guild member universities are long-standing participants of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and dedicated to ensuring that the scheme remains as successful, impactful and appreciated as it has been over the past years. Therefore, together with leading research and innovation organisations from across Europe, The Guild joins the call for the recognition the MSCA deserves, alongside an increased budget to unlock its full potential.

Together with the European Research Council, MSCA represents the most successful part of the framework programme for R&I in its cost-effectiveness with regard to scientific publications and their quality, its capacity to deliver innovation from a bottom-up perspective, and in being the most international part of the programme. By combining mobility and research excellence, MSCA has had a profound impact not only on individual researchers, but in setting the standards of research training at institutional level.

MSCA instruments such as staff exchanges play an important role in building global collaborations, especially in low- and middle-income third countries. Beyond attracting talent to Europe, MSCA should be used to make these collaborations more sustainable and impactful. Similarly, we should further increase the number of MSCA fellows hosted in Widening countries through the successful example of ERA Fellowships.

Despite its uncontested success, MSCA budgetary limitations are currently threatening to make it less attractive for researchers across and beyond Europe. Thus, the message from the research sector is clear: we need much more MSCA!

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Mari Moora, Vice Rector for Research at the University of Tartu: “Excellence does not happen out of nowhere or by itself. If we do not invest in young talents, there will be no experienced top scientists either. MSCA is the only instrument aimed specifically at research careers of young researchers. Since the focus is on excellence, it is an opportunity to find talents and enhance them, regardless of the topic, anywhere in the world and to do it early enough, before they lose interest and motivation. MSCA enables researchers to perform high quality science, to show and introduce themselves, to create connections and networks that they can rely on in their future career in academia and in other sectors.”

Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of The Guild: “The number of Nobel Prizes awarded to MSCA speak for themselves: MSCA have been a central pillar of excellent research in Europe, allowing some of Europe’s best researchers to push the boundaries of science, develop international networks, and foster indispensable links with industry and society. At a time when the urgency of supporting young researchers is recognised as never before, MSCA needs to be expanded – not called into question!”

Read the joint statement on the website of the Guild