Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s main research and innovation programme. MSCA supports researchers at all stages of their careers, across all disciplines and in all employment sectors.

Aims & Objectives

MSCA funds excellent and innovative research training, career development, and knowledge-exchange opportunities through cross-border and cross-sector mobility.

Its goals are to:

  • equip researchers with the skills and experience to tackle current and future societal challenges
  • strengthen collaboration between universities, research institutes, companies, civil society organisations, hospitals, public bodies, and other non-academic partners
  • encourage open science, responsible research, and strong links between research and society

What does it support?

MSCA offers five main types of funding:

  • Doctoral Networks - Train doctoral candidates in high-quality, interdisciplinary, and international programmes involving both academic and non-academic partners
  • Postdoctoral Fellowships - Support postdoctoral researchers to improve their skills, develop their careers, and carry out high-quality research
  • Staff Exchanges - Enable organisations to share knowledge and skills through short-term exchanges of staff across countries and sectors
  • COFUND - Co-fund regional, national, or international doctoral and postdoctoral programmes
  • MSCA and Citizens - Bring researchers closer to the public through outreach activities like the annual European Researchers’ Night

Who can apply?

  • Researchers at any career stage
  • Higher education institutions, research centres, and public or private organisations
  • Non-academic organisations such as civil society organisations or public bodies

EU Policy

Learn more about EU research and innovation policy.

Budget

Under Horizon Europe, MSCA has a budget of €6.6 billion for 2021-2027.

Project Example

EnTrust: Next Generation of Trustworthy Agri-Data Management

Airfield Estate is a partner in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project “EnTrust: Next Generation of Trustworthy Agri-Data Management.” Delivered by 16 partners in 5 EU countries, the aim of the EnTrust project is to research how agri-data from farmers can be shared, managed, and used fairly in different business models. Visit the project’s website to learn more.

National Contact Point in Ireland

Hosted by the Irish Universities Association (IUA), the Irish Marie-Skłodowska Curie Office is the Irish National Contact Point for MSCA. Contact them at mariecurie@iua.ie

Want to learn more?

Irish Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office

MSCA Civil Society Organisations Leaflet

Report on non-academic sector in MSCA

MSCA National Contact Points Network

Your guide to the MSCA

MSCA Matchmaking Platform

Social Media

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LinkedIn group: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office Ireland

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