Call for Chapter Elections 2025
We at the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) are pleased to announce the opening of elections for the Chair and Vice-Chair positions in selected MCAA Chapters. This is a unique opportunity for dedicated members who share our values and are willing to contribute their energy and vision to strengthen our community.
If you are ready to take on a rewarding leadership role, we warmly invite you to submit your application and play an active part in shaping the future of your Chapter and the MCAA as a whole.
Serving as a Chapter Chair or Vice-Chair offers an enriching experience. You will:
- Develop your leadership and management skills, gaining confidence in planning, budgeting, coordination, and communication.
- Engage with peers and professionals who share your passion, expanding your personal and professional network beyond your current workplace.
- Collaborate on activities and events that align with the MCAA’s mission, making a tangible impact in your region or area of interest.
- Build lasting friendships and connections within an inspiring and supportive international community.
We are looking forward to receiving your application. Don’t pass on this opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our community!
For any questions or clarifications regarding the elections, please contact us at management@mariecuriealumni.eu.
Only for Members
Important Dates
1. Chapters with open elections
Austria Chapter
Baltic States Chapter
Benelux Chapter
Cyprus Chapter
Czechia Chapter
Denmark Chapter
Finland Chapter
France Chapter
India Chapter
Japan Chapter
Middle East Chapter
Norway Chapter
Poland Chapter
Romania Chapter
Russia Chapter
Southeast Asia Chapter
Turkey Chapter
United Kingdom Chapter
Western Balkans Chapter
2. Timeline
3. Candidate eligibility
To be eligible to run for the Chapter Chair, candidates must:
- Be current or former MSCA fellows who are active MCAA members, registered at the MCAA and members of the Chapter in question for at least 12 months before the deadline for candidacies.*
- Live in the country the Chapter represents (or in one of the countries in the region in the case of regional Chapters) at the time of the candidacy and have plans to continue living in the country throughout the duration of the mandate.
- Not have held the Chair position previously for more than two terms (two years).
To be eligible to run for Vice-Chair, candidates must:
- Be current or previous MSCA-funded fellows, who are active MCAA members, registered at the MCAA for at least six months before the deadline for candidacies.*
- Live in the country the Chapter represents (or in one of the countries in the region in the case of a regional Chapters) at the time of the candidacy and have plans to continue living in the country throughout the duration of the mandate.
* With the exception of the Finland Chapter, being a new Chapter. For this Chapter, the time is counted for the general MCAA membership only.
4. Voting and Mandate
Chapter Chairs and Vice-Chairs are elected by simple majority vote from among the ordinary members of the Chapter.
In case there is an unique candidacy for a specific position, elections are bypassed and the candidacy is evaluated by the Executive Committee. In case of approval, the candidate is nominated for the position.
If there are no candidates for the Vice-Chair position, the elected Chair is authorised to appoint a Vice-Chair or run an election for the position.
The Chair and Vice-Chair mandate is for a one-year term, with an automatic extension for an additional year, contingent upon the Chapter's progress during the first nine months of the mandate. The Chair and Vice-Chair positions are volunteer-based and do not carry remuneration.
The maximum number of years a member can serve as Chair is two years (terms) consecutively, and four years (four terms) non-consecutively. For the 2025 elections, re-election for a second mandate (four consecutive years) will be allowed. However, from 2026 onwards, a maximum of a two-year term without re-election will be enforced.
If a Chair has served as an interim Chair, this period will not be counted in the maximum term of office.
The MCAA Secretariat can request new elections at the end of each year if the Chapter remains inactive during the first nine months of the said year without a valid justification.
Specific circumstances not included in this call might be evaluated and approved by the MCAA Executive Committee.
4.1 Termination of the mandate
The Chapter Chair and Vice-Chair mandates can also be terminated upon proposal of the MCAA Secretariat to the MCAA Board. The termination can be proposed and decided upon at any time, without any compensation or costs becoming due to the Association. The termination of the mandate can happen in any of the following situations:
- The behaviour of the Chair or Vice-Chair damages the MCAA’s image or acts against its values.
- The Chair or Vice-Chair does not comply with the requirements defined by the MCAA Secretariat to fulfil the mandate as described in these guidelines.
- The Chapter significantly deviates from implementing the plan of activities (e.g., does not organise events and other initiatives throughout the year) without due justification.
- The Chair or Vice-Chair has a conflict of interest between Chapter activities and other activities, whether internal or external to the MCAA, which were not communicated and approved by the MCAA Secretariat.
- The Chapter does not have a representative in the MCAA Board meetings and meetings organised by the MCAA for which their presence was requested, and the Chair has failed to communicate the absence to the MCAA Secretariat.
- The Chapter does not submit annual plans, activity reports, or other requests for contributions without a valid and accepted justification to the MCAA Secretariat.
Chapter Chairs and Vice-Chairs can also resign from their mandate at any time by submitting a letter of resignation via e-mail to the MCAA Secretariat. The resigning Chapter Chair will continue (except in the event of incapacity) to perform their duties until the Vice-Chair is appointed as an interim Chair, or until new elections are called.
In the event of the Chair's resignation or withdrawal, the Vice-Chair can be appointed as the interim Chair until the end of the term. This period will not be included in the maximum mandate period.
In the event of the Vice-Chair's resignation or withdrawal, the Chair may appoint a new interim Vice-Chair until the end of the term.
The mandate of a Chapter Chair or Vice-Chair terminates as of right, and with immediate effect, by death or incapacity of its holder, or if a Chapter is closed by the MCAA.
The MCAA Executive Committee (ExCom), through the MCAA Secretariat, reserves the right to close a Chapter if there are no eligible candidates for the position of Chapter Chair in the elections, or if no members express interest in accepting an interim position upon nomination. The MCAA Secretariat will provide written notice of the potential closure at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed effective date. If, by the end of this notice period, no member or group of members submits a proposal for a new Chapter leadership team, the Chapter will be formally closed by the MCAA.
5. Responsibilities
The Chair position requires a contribution of time and effort to organise and lead the Chapter activities. Responsibilities include:
- Preparing an annual plan of activities.
- Together with the Vice-Chair, Appointing a Chapter board.
- Keeping the Chapter’s board and members engaged and updated on MCAA issues.
- Organising events and communicating with the local members.
- Managing the Chapter budget.
- Communicating regularly with the MCAA Secretariat and complying with requests from the Secretariat and the MCAA Board.
- Submitting activity applications and reports, and attending periodical meetings.
- Representing the Chapter in its geographical area.
- Independently organising at least two meetings per year.
Moreover, Chapter Chairs are invited to attend MCAA Board meetings throughout the year, either virtually or in person.
The Vice-Chair position is equally important. The person will work jointly with the Chair and the other Chapter board members to develop activities and engage the Chapter members.
In addition to this, the Vice-Chair:
- In the absence of the Chair, represents the Chapter in the MCAA Board meetings or other required events.
- Upon authorisation of the MCAA Secretariat, will be appointed as a Chair in case the Chair cannot continue their mandate.
6. Application
Applications for the Chair and Vice Chair positions should be submitted within the voting period using the link below.
7. Campaigning
Eligible candidates will have the opportunity to present their candidacies during a meeting organised by the current Chapter Chair with the support of the MCAA Secretariat. This meeting will be announced and promoted to all Chapter members via the MCAA website.
On the designated day, each candidate may publish one message on the Chapter’s page to introduce and promote their candidacy. Candidates are also allowed to share information about their candidacy through their personal social media channels.
For any questions or clarifications regarding the elections, please contact us at management@mariecuriealumni.eu.
We are looking forward to receiving your application. Don’t pass on this opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our community!
Be inspired by the experiences of current and former Chapter Chairs: