30th Anniversary of the MSCA - 3+1 reasons to do an MSCA doctorate
Joining an MSCA Doctoral Network (DN) is a life changing experience, one can only imagine before experiencing. This odd opportunity to do your PhD offers a unique opportunity to be introduced to academia, network and flourish.
The team
The human factor is probably the most critical aspect of research. Joining an MSCA DN project is like being a newborn researcher in a big family with a strong household name.
Your cousins, the 10+ PhD fellows who are assigned to universities across Europe, will be your strong companions, the people you will grow together with, celebrate each other’s wins, and share the PhD journey.
Your uncles and aunts, the legends in the field some wish to get in touch with, will be your second advisors providing you with insightful feedback, support and guidance and making you realise what is possible.
This big extended family offers important chances for collaboration, and works together towards a common overarching goal, advancing the project’s objectives towards various directions.
The topic
Becoming a PhD fellow in an MSCA DN project means you will be working on state-of-the-art research pushing the boundaries of what humanity knows, and developing solutions as the project outputs that others will use at large.
Although your research topic is predefined in the project proposal by deliverables and objectives as a general road map, there is enough flexibility to find your own path on what will be developed.
Further, besides your own narrow focus, due to the participation of the project’s network and its activities, you’ll be heavily exposed to overlaying research problems and interconnecting directions to your own. This greater understanding of the influence and additional aspects of your research topic is an invaluable wisdom that can’t be gained simply from checking the literature.
The benefits
Although no one does a PhD for financial compensation, it is worth mentioning that MSCA DN projects offer a competitive salary often way higher than the stipend for national PhD candidates.
Also, there are plenty of training opportunities to excel your presentation skills. You should be aware that joining such a project works best if you ever dreamed of becoming a flight attendant. The project will have a series of networking events planned in a short duration of 3 years. Get ready for a workshop/summer-winter school every semester, secondments aka 2+ month research or industrial visits to another city or country around once per year, attending conferences to present your research output, and all this while trying to finish your PhD. Other than your friends asking you first “where” you are and then “how”, be prepared to gain immense networking opportunities, explore new cities, cultures, and tasty food across Europe.
Bonus: The MCAA
Earning an MSCA fellowship grants you access to the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA). As an MCAA member, you will have access to exclusive grants, training, and opportunities.
Also, the MCAA serves as a great volunteering network connecting alumni in subgroups based on the geographical location (i.e. the MCAA Germany Chapter), or interest in Working Groups (WGs) (i.e. the MCAA AI WG). The MCAA holds annual conferences and assemblies each year for its members, and the next edition will be held in Brussels, Belgium on 22–25 April 2026, celebrating the 30 years of the MSCA programme.
Not all honey
Kindly keep in mind it can be a lot to handle while aiming to balance work and personal life; your social life might get a hit, your research could be delayed with constant moving and side quests, but also your interpersonal and communication skills will advance.
Depending on the country, the 3-year funding period might not be sufficient to complete your PhD. Also, as it is a rather unique PhD journey, it can lead to feeling isolated compared to the “normal” path.
