A group of European research and innovation stakeholder organisations — Aurora, Cesaer, Coimbra Group, EPSO, Eurotech, EU-Life, EUA, The Guild, ISE, LERU, MCAA, Science Europe and YERUN — have issued a joint statement calling for the recognition of the outstanding contribution of Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) and for an increased budget to unlock its full potential.

Indeed, while the MSCA’s achievements are impressive, and their tangible impact is undeniable, the programme is not mentioned in the main documents published recently in the run-up to the next framework programme. The Draghi report mentions it only incidentally, and it does not appear in President von der Leyen’s mission letters to the Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness or the Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation designates.

“The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions has been, for decades, part of the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation; it stands as the EU’s flagship programme for supporting doctoral and postdoctoral training through research and mobility.”

Europe needs to prepare the next generation of researchers, which is exactly what MSCA does.

Download the full statement here.