Letter from the Chair - MCAA Magazine March 2025

Dear MCAA Members,

As we turn the pages of another edition of IRRADIUM, I reflect on a year that has been both demanding and deeply rewarding for our community. The first year of this Board’s mandate has been marked by challenges, growth, and transformation: milestones that reflect our commitment to strengthening the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) and its impact on researchers.

It is difficult to capture the full breadth of our activities over the past year in just a few lines. However, I encourage you to explore the quarterly MCAA Newsletter and the monthly MCAA Insider for a more comprehensive look at the many initiatives led by our dedicated volunteers. That said, some key developments stand out for their significant and lasting impact on our Association.

A New Phase in Our Funding Model

A topic that has shaped discussions over the past three years is the transformation of our core funding model. This shift became a reality with our first Coordination and Support Action (CSA), MCAA- New-Horizon, which successfully concluded on 30 September 2024. This project fundamentally changed how we operate, allowing us to manage our own resources, expand our activities, and offer greater support to our members.

Building on this success, we are now entering a new phase of growth and consolidation with the CAPTAIN project, our second CSA, which will run for the next three years. This continuity will allow us to strengthen our internal management and further advance the MCAA towards a more professional and sustainable future. Among the many activities already underway, CAPTAIN is supporting the organisation of the 2025 Annual Conference in Krakow on 21-22 March, our flagship event that will once again bring our community together for collaboration, networking, and knowledge exchange.

The road ahead is filled with opportunities. We must continue to work together to shape the future of research and researchers’ careers.

A Growing and Thriving Community

Over the past year, our membership has continued to grow, reinforcing the importance of bottom-up initiatives within our network. This expansion has been accompanied by a surge in grassroots activities and a more dynamic engagement from our Chapters and Working Groups. Among the notable developments, the establishment of the Slovenia Chapter has strengthened our regional presence, while the General Interest Group (GIG) on Sustainability has evolved into a full Working Group, enhancing its capacity to drive impactful initiatives. Additionally, the launch of a new GIG on Artificial Intelligence (AI) reflects the increasing significance of AI-related discussions for researchers and society alike.

At the same time, the MCAA Secretariat has expanded, bringing in new personnel to support our growing operations. This marks a significant step forward in our journey towards a more structured, professional, and sustainable Association.

Strengthening Our Voice in Policy and Advocacy

Policy engagement remains a cornerstone of the MCAA’s mission, particularly in advocating for better conditions for researchers. Over the past year, we continued our participation in high-level forums such as the ERA Forum and CoARA, where we actively contribute to shaping the research policy landscape. In addition to these strategic engagements, we have also been involved in several funded projects aligned with the Association’s core policy goals, particularly those aimed at enhancing researchers’ careers and improving working conditions.

Furthermore, 2024 saw the release of three major EU policy reports (the so-called Letta, Draghi, and Heitor reports), which have sparked important discussions on the future of research funding and researchers’ careers. The MCAA has taken an active stance, analysing these reports and ensuring that proposals potentially harmful to researchers are scrutinised, while also supporting positive changes, such as those promoting the new MSCA Choose Europe initiative.

Looking Forward

The road ahead is filled with opportunities. We must continue to work together to shape the future of research and research careers and foster an inclusive, connected, and strong MCAA.

I extend my deepest gratitude to all our members who contribute to making this Association thrive. Your dedication fuels our success, and I am confident that together, we will continue to make a difference.

Enjoy this edition of IRRADIUM, and I look forward to seeing many of you in Krakow in March 2025!

Gian Maria Greco

MCAA Chair
gianmaria.greco@mariecuriealumni.eu
@GianMariaGreco
gianmariagreco
0000-0002-8714-6349