EU Research Stakeholders Unite to Safeguard MSCA's Foundational Values

The European research community has issued a strong collective appeal to policymakers, emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions as Europe prepares for the next multiannual financial framework. This call comes at a pivotal moment as discussions intensify around the design of the tenth EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme, known as FP10, scheduled to run from 2028 to 2034.

At the heart of the appeal lies a commitment to the programme's identity as a dedicated instrument for researcher development through excellence-driven, curiosity-led inquiry. Organizations representing universities, research institutes, doctoral candidates, and alumni stress that any shift toward predefined strategic priorities risks undermining the very attributes that have made the actions a cornerstone of European talent cultivation.

Understanding the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Their Enduring Appeal

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, commonly referred to as MSCA, form a flagship component of the European Union's Horizon Europe programme under Pillar I, which focuses on excellent science. Established to foster the mobility, training, and career progression of researchers across all career stages, the actions support doctoral networks, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funding schemes.

Central to their design is a bottom-up philosophy that invites proposals from any scientific discipline without imposing thematic restrictions. This approach allows emerging ideas to flourish wherever they arise, rather than channeling resources exclusively toward immediately policy-aligned topics. The emphasis on international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary collaboration has enabled thousands of researchers to build networks that span borders and sectors.

Universities across Europe have integrated MSCA opportunities into their talent strategies, using them to attract and retain promising scholars while enhancing institutional research capacity. The programme's alignment with principles such as open recruitment, attractive working conditions, and responsible research practices further reinforces its role in shaping high-quality research environments.

The Joint Statement: Key Messages from Leading Organizations

In late June 2026, a coalition of prominent European bodies released a joint statement urging leaders to preserve MSCA's core research mission and bottom-up character. The signatories include the European University Association, the League of European Research Universities, the Marie Curie Alumni Association, Eurodoc, Science Europe, and several others representing research managers, academies, and innovative university networks.

The statement explicitly positions MSCA as first and foremost a research programme whose strength derives from investing in excellent researchers through open competition across all fields. It warns against repurposing the actions to serve short-term strategic objectives, recommending instead that such targeted initiatives be developed through dedicated instruments in other parts of the framework programme.

Stakeholders highlight that the programme's success in building long-term research and innovation capacity stems precisely from its flexibility and researcher-centric focus. Altering this model, they argue, could diminish Europe's ability to anticipate and respond to future challenges through unanticipated scientific breakthroughs.

Historical Context and Evolution Within Horizon Europe

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions trace their origins to earlier EU mobility programmes and have evolved significantly since their integration into successive framework programmes. Within Horizon Europe, they have maintained a distinct identity separate from collaborative research actions in Pillar II, which address societal challenges and industrial competitiveness through mission-oriented and thematic calls.

This separation has allowed MSCA to prioritize individual researcher excellence and career development while contributing indirectly to broader European Research Area objectives. Recent work programmes have introduced refinements, such as updated guidelines on supervision and inclusion of researchers at risk, yet the fundamental bottom-up nature has remained intact.

As preparations for FP10 accelerate, the research community draws on this track record to advocate continuity. Previous joint statements, including one in 2025 on maintaining directionality-free approaches, underscore a consistent position that the actions should not be redirected toward narrow policy goals.

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Stakeholder Perspectives: Voices from Universities and Researchers

University leaders emphasize that MSCA fellowships and networks provide critical pathways for early-career researchers to gain international experience and establish independent profiles. Institutions benefit from the influx of diverse talent that strengthens research groups and fosters cross-border collaborations.

Doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers value the programme's emphasis on transferable skills, open science practices, and exposure to non-academic sectors. These elements prepare participants for varied career trajectories, addressing the reality that many researchers move beyond traditional academic roles.

Alumni associations note that the bottom-up selection process has enabled support for innovative projects in emerging areas that might otherwise struggle to secure funding through more prescriptive channels. Preserving this openness is seen as essential for maintaining Europe's competitive edge in global research.

Potential Risks of Altering Core Principles

Shifting MSCA toward greater directionality could narrow the scope of supported research, potentially sidelining fields that do not align with immediate strategic priorities. This might reduce the programme's capacity to nurture breakthrough discoveries that often emerge from unexpected quarters.

Another concern involves the mobility and training dimensions. While these remain important, overemphasizing them at the expense of research excellence could transform the actions into a more generic mobility scheme, diluting their contribution to scientific advancement.

Stakeholders also point to the risk of fragmentation if targeted actions are grafted onto MSCA rather than housed in appropriate Pillar II instruments. Such changes might complicate application processes and evaluation criteria, affecting participation rates among smaller institutions and newer member states.

Implications for European Higher Education and Research Ecosystems

Universities rely on MSCA to complement national funding and other EU schemes in building robust research training environments. The programme's prestige enhances institutional attractiveness in global talent markets, supporting efforts to reverse brain drain and promote balanced development across regions.

Broader European Research Area goals, including improved researcher careers and enhanced knowledge circulation, depend on the continued vitality of MSCA. Any dilution of its principles could weaken synergies with initiatives such as the European Charter for Researchers and efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion in research.

Looking ahead, the actions' role in preparing the next generation of research leaders remains central to Europe's ambitions for technological sovereignty and sustainable development. Maintaining their integrity supports these long-term objectives without compromising short-term flexibility.

Recommendations for FP10 Design and Beyond

The joint statement advocates strengthening MSCA through increased budgets and expanded reach while keeping its defining features unchanged. Dedicated mechanisms for addressing strategic priorities should be developed separately to avoid distorting the programme's core mission.

Enhanced support for widening participation, researcher mental health, and sustainable practices could be integrated without altering the bottom-up selection model. Continued emphasis on open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment processes will further reinforce trust in the programme.

Stakeholders encourage ongoing dialogue between the research community and EU institutions to ensure that FP10 builds on proven successes. Regular monitoring of participation patterns and outcomes can inform adjustments that enhance impact without compromising foundational principles.

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Future Outlook for Researcher Mobility and Excellence in Europe

As global competition for talent intensifies, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions stand as a model for researcher-centred funding that balances mobility with substantive research support. Their continued success will depend on policymakers heeding calls to protect the elements that have driven decades of achievement.

European universities and research organizations remain committed to advocating for a framework programme that values excellence across all disciplines. This approach positions Europe to harness the full potential of its research community in addressing complex challenges.

The coming months will reveal how these recommendations influence the final shape of FP10. What is clear is the unified resolve of the research community to ensure that MSCA endures as a beacon of bottom-up, excellence-driven support for researchers at every stage of their careers.