Funding Spotlight: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

The MSCA support mobility for researchers throughout Europe and the globe.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are a set of major research fellowships for researchers at multiple stages of their careers in the European Research Area¹. The main goal behind this programme is to provide training for researchers and promote mobility across borders. Though they are currently funded through Horizon Europe, applicants can be of any nationality². 

These actions support researchers of any nationality seeking to study or receive training within a European Union (EU) Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, or any EU citizen pursuing research outside of Europe through five major objectives³.

Allowances vary depending on the specific programme an applicant was awarded through, as well as some specific individual needs. Here is the 2023 monthly allowance for the Postdoctoral Fellowship.

In its most recent funding cycle, the European Commission awarded €257 million to 1,235 postdoctoral researchers through the MSCA, which resulted in a success rate of about 17.5% for postdoctoral applicants⁴. MSCA also awarded funds to 149 doctoral programmes (which would train about 1650 doctoral candidates)⁵, 73 staff exchange programmes⁶, and an estimated 25–30 COFUND projects⁷. Success rates for these programmes varied from 15.8% to 38.6%^5,6.

The MSCA have been awarding funds since 1996¹, allowing the global exchange of knowledge through training and collaboration opportunities. To determine which MSCA are currently open (or when your targeted MSCA will open next), check out our Funding database before heading over to MSCA’s website to start preparing your documents. There are also multiple resources available dedicated to helping prospective applicants craft the best proposal possible. Many institutions also host trainings or supply assistance to members looking to apply to the MSCA, so make sure you check with your internal resources as well.

References

1. https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/marie-sklodowska-curie-actions_en
2. https://rea.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-grants/horizon-europe-marie-sklodowska-curie-actions_en
3. https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships#:~:text=Only%20nationals%20or%20long%2Dterm,Europe%20Associated%20Countries%20can%20apply.
4. https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/marie-sklodowska-curie-actions-award-eu257-million-to-postdoctoral-fellows-in-2022
5. https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/doctoral-networks-2022-call-results
6. https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/results-msca-staff-exchanges-2022-call
7. https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/msca-cofund-2022-call-figures