The MSCA does not just fund excellent research, it builds careers. For three decades, it has supported researchers at pivotal moments in their professional lives.
In this section, you can explore the stories of 15 of these inspiring researchers. They offer a glimpse of the programme’s impact, which spans a community of over 150,000 researchers who have directly benefited from MSCA funding, as well as the coordinators, supervisors and research managers who helped to shape their journey.
Senior Data Manager, Digital Solutions for Research, Teaching, and Production at Københavns Universitet, Denmark.
“It was exciting to belong to a vibrant community of young researchers from across Europe.”
My MSCA fellowship allowed me to obtain my PhD in France, pursue an academic position for 15 years in Spain, and choose to follow additional career paths in Denmark. It shaped my understanding of complex research ecosystems, and taught me the importance of science outreach and the need for advocacy. Looking back, I can see how my first experience abroad as an MSCA fellow influenced everything that followed. Each connection led to more opportunities.
I hope the MSCA will continue to provide future fellows with resources and a community so that they sustain the conviction required to create knowledge that truly matters for society.
1993-1996 Marie Curie Fellowship at CentraleSupélec, France "Model and design of an inverter-fed induction motor system for automobile industry applications"
Professor of Operations Research and Statistics at La Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.
“My time as an MSCA fellow was a turning point: it broadened my horizons, opened new doors, and made me feel part of a truly international research community.”
The MSCA programme meant much more to me than funding. It gave me mobility, visibility, and a strong sense of belonging to an international research community. My fellowship allowed me to deepen my research, learn from outstanding colleagues and become confident enough to pursue ambitious ideas. It also had a lasting personal impact by broadening my perspective, strengthening my professional network and personal connections, and helping to shape the career path I have followed ever since.
I hope the MSCA continues to inspire, connect and support future generations of researchers across Europe and beyond.
1996-1997 Marie Curie Fellowship at the Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium "Optimisation of multi-class queueing networks".
Vice President Business System – Innovation at Johnson Controls, Germany.
“I was one of the first Marie Curie Fellows, using EU funding to pursue my PhD while helping launch a group to support our growing network.”
The MSCA widened my horizons, both professionally and personally. It gave me the chance to do research in an international environment, build a network early on, and gain confidence working across borders. It also had a lasting impact beyond my own career. I was also involved in the early Marie Curie Fellows Association, helping to build a UK community that connected fellows and strengthened the programme.
I hope that the MSCA will continue to grow and develop people to become true Europeans.
1996-1998 Marie Curie Fellowship at Keele University, UK ”From information technology to organising information: an interdisciplinary study”
Professor of Economics at the École d'économie de Paris and Senior Researcher in Economics at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique, France.
“The MSCA has greatly contributed to the careers of many young researchers and has promoted the expansion of strong academic networks in Europe.”
I was able to expand my research network and the breadth of my research. Afterwards, I was recruited by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and later went back to academia. My research has explored many topics such as whether retirement induces men to perform more chores, what factors contribute to women earning more than their husbands, and more recently, how working from home impacts gender norms. During my MSCA I was deeply inspired by Professor Nina Smith, a top female economist, who also warned me that she often got asked about the copy machine. Three decades later, women in economics are still a minority, and when I get asked the same, I think of her!
I wish for the MSCA to continue on its successful path supporting research careers and promoting networks across Europe.
1997 Marie Curie Fellowship at Aarhus Universitet, Denmark “Long term unemployment and repeat use of unemployment insurance”
Senior Researcher in Paleontology at the Centre National de le Recherche Scientifique and at the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris); Author and Exhibition Commissioner
“My time as a MSCA Fellow allowed me to make research outside the box.”
The MSCA has been a real springboard for my career. After studying extinct organisms during my PhD, my MSCA grant allowed me to study extant organisms. It also allowed me return to France periodically to apply to various competitions and ultimately get a permanent position. Finally, thanks to my MSCA I discovered the Czech culture
My wish for the future is that European politicians will invest in research, by giving funding to support more MSCA grantees.
2002-2003 Marie Curie Fellowship at the Univerzita Karlova “Impact of development of amphibians on their origin and evolution”
2015-2017 Individual Fellowship at the Uniwersytet Warszawski, Poland “Studies of the human FASTK family of mitochondrial proteins with putative novel RNA binding domains – the helical FAST motifs and the small RAP domain”
Associate Professor at the Uniwersytet Warszawski, Poland.
“The MSCA embodies the best that science has to offer – top quality and collaborative research that connects across fields, sectors, and borders.”
Moving to another country with a strong support from MSCA funding has been the best thing to happen to me, twice in my career. My first MSCA-supported project gave me unparalleled opportunities to learn from top experts during my PhD. I was exposed to exciting science and new methods in an international environment and initiated new collaborations, some of which have lasted to this day. In my PhD lab, I truly found a new home full of exciting science and great friendships that helped me grow as a scientist and as a person. My second MSCA fellowship allowed me to secure a position as an Assistant Professor and establish my own research group when I returned to Poland. It inspired me to pursue new innovative research directions and collaborations. The MCAA community has also been a source of inspiration for my career development and for engaging with policy.
I hope that future MSCA fellows will have the opportunity to pursue their dream research and shape the future of science together.
2006-2009 Early Stage Research Training candidate at the University of Cambridge, UK “Chemical Biology at Cambridge”
Professor at Latvijas Universitāte, Latvia.
“The MSCA gave me the chance to come back to Latvia and do the research that I wanted to do in my own country.”
Prior to my MSCA fellowship, I was working as a researcher in the United States and Canada and dreaming of coming back to Latvia to start a research programme there. The MSCA gave me the opportunity to make this dream come true by supporting me at a crucial time in my career. I am currently leading an internationally recognised research group of 20 researchers in quantum algorithms, and I have made many contributions to research in Latvia, from mentoring young researchers to leading national initiatives.
I hope that the MSCA will continue to give European researchers the opportunity to work outside their home countries and then help them to relocate back so they can contribute to strengthening research and innovation at home.
2008-2012 Marie Curie Re-integration Grant at Latvijas Universitāte, Latvia “Quantum algorithms and the foundations of quantum computation”
Senior Distinguished Researcher at the Universidad de Burgos, Spain.
“Through my MSCA fellowship, I understood that the heart of great science lies in mobility – the priceless experience of stepping outside your comfort zone to share ideas, cultures, and knowledge with researchers you might never have met otherwise.”
My MSCA fellowship acted as a catalyst towards becoming an independent scientist. I was able to manage my own project while still in a training stage of my career, which pushed me to trust my scientific instincts and make decisions autonomously. Beyond the lab, I also experienced a new life in Denmark, which helped me to develop resilience and adaptability. I left Copenhagen not only with a new set of skills, but with a different vision of science.
I hope that the MSCA will continue to act as a bridge in the scientific world, bringing people together across different geographical locations and disciplines, while empowering future generations of researchers to connect and shape the future of science.
2009-2012 Intra-European Fellowship for Career Development at Københavns Universitet, Denmark “Tracking the genetic origins of the first Americans”
Euclid Project Scientist at the European Space Agency (ESA), France
“I remember the MSCA fellowship as a stream of opportunities and access to new ideas.”
The MSCA gave me the opportunity to work at the University of Geneva with an international team, which included renowned experts in theoretical astrophysics and data analysis. It allowed me to reinforce the theoretical knowledge I had acquired in my previous role at the University of Heidelberg and combine it with the ability to test theories with diverse datasets. This blend of theory and observation has shaped my career ever since and improved my ability to communicate and understand different scientific needs. A collaboration with CERN’s theory division led to a publication outside my usual field which broadened my expertise, independence, and led to new responsibilities. I also joined the MSCA alumni network and attended the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Physics, a remarkable experience where I met new colleagues and learned more about communication for public outreach.
I hope that the MSCA will continue to provide opportunities for early career scientists as well as their alumni network in the future.
2012-2014 Intra-European Fellowship for Career Development at the Université de Genève, Switzerland “The dark sector in cosmology and impact on present and future generation experiments”
Head of Lab Learning and Skill Analytics at TIB Leibniz- Leibniz-Informationszentrum Technik und Naturwissenschaften, Germany.
“My time leading the EDUWORK network embodied the transformative power of cross-border, cooperative interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Coordinating the MSCA network gave my career a massive push. As a result, my academic profile became more competitive and my achievements benefited from increased visibility, which ultimately led to my current position. Leading a research lab in the intersection of AI and education, and the successful creation of a technology start-up eDoer wouldn’t be possible without my MSCA experience. The MSCA not only empowered us to build a pioneering doctoral training programme, but the EDUWORK project also ignited many lasting research and research policy activities. The MSCA grant also integrated me into the vibrant Marie Curie Alumni Association. Engaging with this incredible community ignited my passion for science policy and advocacy, ultimately driving my ongoing work to champion sustainable careers for researchers across Europe that take their mental health into account.
I hope that the MSCA and its vibrant community will continue to adapt and thrive as science faces new challenges from disruptive technologies to geopolitical change, demonstrating that scientific excellence and communities can foster sustainable and healthy research environments.
2013-2017 Initial Training Network coordinator at the Universiteit van Amsterdam, the Netherlands “Crossing borders in the comprehensive investigation of labour market matching processes: An EU-wide, trans-disciplinary, multilevel and science-practice-bridging training network”
Senior Research Engineer at ConfidentialMind Oy, Finland.
“The MSCA fellowship helped me build the foundations of my career through access to a top-quality research network and freedom to tackle hard problems.”
I will never forget the time I spent as an MSCA fellow. The MSCA gave me the opportunity to build strong professional networks and develop my scientific career. It also exposed me to the diverse cultures of Europe. I was able to experience what it’s like to live in a cosmopolitan city by moving to Barcelona, where I made friends who feel like family. It is a place I now consider my second home. The MSCA also gave me the opportunity to mentor PhD candidates, which was a rewarding experience that allowed me to have an impact on the next generation of researchers.
I hope that the MSCA will continue to deepen scientific collaboration both in the EU and internationally.
2015-2019 Innovative Training Network candidate at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain, and NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH, Germany “Application-aware User-centric Programmable Architectures for 5G Multi-tenant Networks”
2024-2027 Doctoral Network supervisor at Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy, Finland “Ultra-massive MIMO for future cell-free heterogeneous networks”
Assistant Professor at the Univerza v Ljubljani, Slovenia.
“Being an MSCA fellow opened doors for me, laying the foundation for a career in science.”
Thanks to my MSCA fellowship, I was able to take my research abroad. It brought me to Slovenia, where I found a supportive environment that enabled me to become involved in science policy. This included working together with researchers in the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers, and with policymakers at the Slovenian Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, and the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science. Through my MSCA project, I found collaborating partners which enabled me to do follow-up projects, ultimately leading to a permanent position being created for me at the University of Ljubljana.
I hope that the MSCA continues to inspire and empower talented young scientists across the globe.
2018-2020 Individual Fellowship at the Univerza v Ljubljani, Slovenia “Demonstration and implementation of an integrated process for the Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Solution Deposition of PMMA-multicomponent coatings on wood and wood-based substrates”
Global Innovation Assistant Manager at Unilever, the Netherlands.
“I feel like I experienced several career paths all at once, in parallel.”
I am certain that I would not be where I am today without the MSCA. By gaining industrial experience, learning how to build a strong network and then actually building it, and continuously developing my soft skills, I became a sought-after job candidate. Even now, in my day-to-day life, I benefit from the skills I acquired and the knowledge I gained during the workshops provided by the MSCA.
The MSCA has the unique power to connect like-minded researchers across borders and across research fields. I hope that many more generations of fellows will get to experience this spirit.
2020-2024 Innovative Training Network candidate at Kungliga Tekniska högskolan, Sweden, and ViaZym, the Netherlands “Heterogeneous biocatalytic reaction cascades training network”
Research Scientist at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Portugal.
“Being an MSCA fellow was all about growth and exploration.”
Being an MSCA fellow was a transformative experience. For my project, I decided to pivot from the work I had been developing since my PhD to a new and exciting field of research. I therefore had to learn a variety of new concepts, techniques and expertise almost from scratch. The experience allowed me to evolve, push myself and learn how to better adapt to new challenges. It also gave me the tools I needed to grow in my career and take on more senior responsibilities. It helped me learn how to balance complex research questions alongside the evolving challenges of a developing academic career.
In an era of AI and ultra-competition, my hope is that the MSCA will continue to focus on supporting excellence and new ideas while keeping the fellows and their broader community at its core.
2022-2024 Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Portugal “Isolation and Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles using OptofLuidics for the eValuation of Microsatellite Instability in Endometrial Cancer”
Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellow, Insight - Centre for Data Analytics, University College Dublin, Ireland.
“My MSCA fellowship was a transformative journey that empowered me to bridge cutting-edge AI research with real-world clinical applications.”
Before the MSCA, I was purely a technical AI researcher. The MSCA fellowship positioned me to drive real-world impact. By providing world-class training and critical resources, the MSCA enabled me to build an interdisciplinary network and collaborate directly with clinicians across Europe. This allowed me to translate my AI research into practical tools for Parkinson's assessment and fall prevention. In addition, it gave me opportunities to inspire the next generation of scientists through outreach. Ultimately, it positioned me for research independence and helped me secure additional personal funding for cutting-edge AI research on human movement.
I hope that the MSCA will continue to be a global beacon of excellence, enabling borderless collaboration and empowering researchers from diverse backgrounds to translate science into societal impact.
2023-2025 COFUND fellow at University College Dublin, Ireland “Advanced skills for data analytics in neurological diseases”
CEO of the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom, Estonia.
“MSCA is academic paradise. Just the right balance of fierce independence and institutional support to inspire free thinking and bold actions.”
The two years of my fellowship were a whirlwind of fieldwork, analysis, and dissemination across borders. I even got to share the stage with Nobel Prize laureates during Berlin Science Week, where I was asked to deliver the opening speech at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale. Since then, I have been offered many new opportunities. I feel truly proud to belong to such a passionate crowd.
I hope that the MSCA will continue to give fellows the opportunity to relentlessly pursue truth in the uncommon places they believe it may be hidden.
2024-2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Jyväskylän Yliopisto, Finland “Spontaneous Finnish Humanitarian Aid as Catalyst for Independent Estonia: From a Personal Touch to the Success of a Nation”