The Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) actively engages in shaping research and innovation policies in Europe, with a focus on enhancing the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) within the upcoming 10th European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).
This page showcases our policy-related statements, recommendations and collaborative efforts with stakeholders to ensure that the MSCA continues to drive excellence, inclusiveness, and innovation in the European research landscape. These documents highlight a collective effort to elevate the MSCA's role within FP10, strengthen its impact, and advocate for a robust and well-funded programme that supports researchers across all career stages.
22 July 2025: Statement by Eurodoc & the MCAA: Wishlist for the ERA Act
In its 25 years of existence, the European Research Area (ERA) has contributed significantly to strengthening the region’s competitiveness. However, there are still significant discrepancies throughout the region. In this statement, the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc) and the MCAA comment on the upcoming European Research Act (ERA Act) and how it can help reduce these disparities and further increase the ERA’s competitiveness. Read more
11 July 2025: Preserving the foundation of innovation: enhancing early-stage collaborative R&I in FP10
As the European Union sets out new proposals for the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), the MCAA joins 11 other leading research organisations in urging the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Member States to reaffirm and strengthen the key role of early-stage collaborative R&I funding within FP10. Read more
24 June 2025: No directionality in MSCA
The MCAA co-signs a joint statement with 16 other leading research organisations opposing the proposed introduction of directionality in the draft of the MSCA Work Programme 2026–2027. The organisations share their concerns about the European Commission’s proposal to establish targeted calls aligned with the EU's political priorities and use top-down funding to fund projects in strategic fields. Read more
20 May 2025: MCAA on Choose Europe: Attracting Global Talent to Build a Stronger ERA
On 5 May 2025, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the first elements of the new Choose Europe initiative. Initially proposed in the Heitor Report as an initiative under the MSCA programme to attract and retain outstanding young researchers in Europe, the version presented by President von der Leyen has evolved in scale and ambition, covering several actions and programmes beyond the MSCA. The MCAA strongly supports the Choose Europe initiative, reaffirming Europe’s commitment to research, innovation, and international collaboration. Read more
20 May 2025: MCAA's vision for the next MFF: Strengthening European Competitiveness by empowering the MSCA
In light of the European Commission's ongoing work towards shaping the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the MCAA provides input into the public consultation process. Through this consultation, the MCAA highlights key areas where EU funding can better support advancing scientific excellence, inclusivity, and the long-term sustainability of Europe’s research ecosystem. Read more
17 October 2024: Eurodoc and MCAA Response on the Horizon Europe Interim Evaluation Report
The MCAA and the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc) respond to the Horizon Europe interim evaluation report in this joint statement. Both organisations welcome the independent expert group’s recommendations to strengthen the current and future framework programmes. Read more
3 October 2024: We Need Much More MSCA
On 17 September 2024, the MSCA Unit of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Culture, and Sport of the European Commission presented the consultation outcomes on the future of the MSCA. As a result, the MCAA and various organisations in the European research and innovation landscape issued a joint statement expressing concern over the lack of recognition for the MSCA in key policy documents and calling for increased budget and support for the programme. Read more
11 September 2024: Empowering Innovation: The MCAA's Recommendations for the MSCA in FP10
In response to the European Commission's consultation on the future of the MSCA, the MCAA developed recommendations for the upcoming FP10. These aim to enhance the MSCA's effectiveness, inclusiveness, and impact, ensuring it remains a pillar of excellence in the European research landscape. Read more
25 April 2023: Key Recommendations by the MCAA on the MSCA Programme
During the MCAA Annual Conference 2023 in Córdoba, Spain, discussions focused on the challenges in research assessment, sustainable development, and stability of early career researchers. Building on the sessions and key points made during the conference, a policy brief was developed to set out the MCAA’s recommendations for evaluating the first results of Horizon Europe's Research & Innovation Actions funded by the EU in 2021–2023. Read more
Campaigns and other initiatives
Research Matters: A campaign to increase European R&I funding
As part of the Research Matters Campaign, the MCAA joined over 80 organisations in raising awareness and advocating for increased investment in R&I to tackle current challenges and ensure Europe’s future prosperity. The campaign calls for increasing fundin for research and development (R&D), reaching over 3% of GDP in the EU and European countries, and doubling the budget for the next EU Framework Programme for research and innovation (R&I) and protecting the budget by ring-fencing it. Read more
Statements by stakeholders
5 July 2024: Science Europe: 10 Key Messages for FP10
Science Europe's position paper provides recommendations for preserving academic freedom, promoting open science, and increasing investment in R&I within FP10. Read more
23 May 2024: CESAER: Opinion Piece - 'Free Marie-Skłodowska Curie!'
In this op-ed, CESAER leaders call for unleashing the full potential of the MSCA to provide more opportunities for research careers in Europe. Read more
14 May 2024: CESAER: Position on 'Unleash Full Potential of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions'
CESAER's position paper outlines recommendations to boost the MSCA's funding and capacity, supporting collaborative research and innovation across Europe. Read more
10 April 2024: YERUN: FP10 - Attractive, Impactful, and Inclusive
Young European Research Universities (YERUN) proposes key priorities to make FP10 an attractive, impactful, and inclusive R&I programme, focusing on collaborative research, coherence, and inclusiveness. Read more
8 April 2024: EUA: Paving the Way for Impactful European R&I
The European University Alliance (EUA) outlines its vision for FP10, focusing on strategic enhancements to the framework programme's budget, structure, and core principles to maximise impact. Read more
1 March 2024: EU-LIFE: Towards FP10 - Vision for MSCA
EU-LIFE outlines its vision for enhancing MSCA in FP10, emphasising budget increases, support for early-career researchers, and fostering mobility and interdisciplinarity. Read more
January 2024: ISE: Answers to Four Questions on the Framework Programmes Horizon Europe and FP10
The Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) highlights the significant challenges facing FP10, such as geopolitical changes, climate impact, technology gaps, and demographic shifts. Their statement also stresses the importance of addressing academic freedom, collaborative research, and better conditions for researchers within FP10. Read more
26 October 2023: ISE: Main Recommendations for Horizon Europe and FP10
The ISE emphasises the importance of shielding the budget for the MSCA and the European Research Council from cuts. It calls for boosting collaborative basic research to complete the R&I cycle and simplify access to funding mechanisms for widening participation across Europe. Read more
