About
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) began as a small fellowship scheme in the 1990s, supporting a few hundred researchers to train and work abroad.
Today, it is a comprehensive set of actions: doctoral programmes, postdoctoral fellowships and staff exchanges supporting around 8 000 scientists yearly.
In the words of MSCA alumna Elena Stancanelli, “The MSCA has greatly contributed to the careers of many young researchers and has promoted the expansion of strong academic networks in Europe.”
Over its lifetime, it has directly supported 150,000 scientists, involving 23 Nobel Prize laureates as fellows, supervisors, and project coordinators.
Key Achievements
MSCA community
+150,000 fellows that have been funded
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Global Reach
- +150 participating countries
- 45% of MSCA Horizon Europe researchers from outside the EU
MSCA is the most international EU research programme, with +150 countries participating in the last two framework programmes alone and over 45% of the fellows in Horizon Europe are nationals of countries outside the EU.
Source: Publication Office -
Talent Retention
- 87% remain in Europe
- 9/10 continue to work in R&I
87% of fellows from Horizon 2020 projects have remained in the EU Member States or Associated Countries two years post-fellowship, contributing to the EU's scientific competitiveness. In addition to this, around 9 in 10 Horizon 2020 MSCA researchers continue to work in research and innovation two-years post fellowship.
Source: Publication Office -
Industry Engagement
- +4,000 companies in MSCA projects
- +2,000 SME collaborations
In the last 5 years alone, over 4,000 companies, including over 2,000 SMEs, have participated in MSCA projects, strengthening academia-industry collaboration.
Source: webgate.ec.europa.eu -
Policy Influence
MSCA has shaped European research policy, contributing to the development and uptake of the European Charter for Researchers and the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment.
Source: eur-lex.europa.eu | www.coara.org -
Support for Leading Researchers
- 23 Nobel Prizes
- 3 winners of the EU Prize for Women Innovators
Since 2010, 23 Nobel Prizes have gone to researchers that have benefited from MSCA support and 3 winners of the EU Prize for Women Innovators are MSCA alumni.
Source: Marie Skłodowska-Curie -
Gender Balance
- 42% women under Horizon 2020
- 44% women under Horizon Europe
It is the most gender-balanced programme under Horizon 2020, with 42% women participants, rising to 44% under Horizon Europe.
Source: webgate.ec.europa.eu
Nobel Laureates
Many MSCA researchers have had the opportunity to work alongside Nobel Prize laureates, while others have received this world-renowned award themselves, recognising their exceptional contributions to science and society. Since 2010, we have listed 23 Nobel laureates among our community, and we hope to celebrate more during this anniversary year.
Hear from some of these laureates as they reflect on how the MSCA has shaped their careers and strengthened Europe’s scientific leadership.
2014 Stefan W. Hell Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The fellowship saved my career because it bought me some time to perform a number of important experiments that supported the viability of my ideas and eventually find an institution that would support me in pursuing them.
2023 Anne L’Huillier Nobel Prize in Physics
Receiving support from the MSCA to train and supervise doctoral and postdoctoral fellows within a network was very important for me. These Marie Curie networks were vital for the European community to interact. First, they gave positions to the labs, but then they pushed the interaction between the different groups. And I think this is why attosecond science is very strong in Europe - three Europeans received Nobel Prizes in this field. I think the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions have helped a lot to increase networking and communication among research actors.
2025 Philippe Aghion Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
The best ideas often emerge when you are exposed to new environments, new perspectives. That is why European programmes that encourage researchers to move, collaborate, and think beyond borders are so vital.” … “By attracting global talent and fostering collaboration, Europe is not just advancing science: it’s proving that openness and excellence can go hand in hand.
For a full and up-to-date overview of the Nobel laureates that MSCA has supported see our website.
Timeline
As we step into the future, we look back to MSCA’s history and celebrate its milestones.