Unlock Global Research Opportunities with MSCA Actions – the two-part webinar series organized by EURAXESS Africa on 2 and 3 July 2025 – successfully brought together hundreds of researchers, academics, and research managers from across the continent. The events demonstrated a growing appetite for international research collaboration and mobility.
These webinars focused on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the European Union’s flagship programme designed to support researcher mobility, skills development, and global career progression.
A Strong Response from the African R&I Community
The response to the webinars exceeded expectations:
The English-language session (2 July) saw over 900 registered participants, with more than 400 joining live.
The French-language session (3 July) recorded 260 registrations, with over 100 live attendees.
This strong turnout reflects the rising interest among African researchers in EU-funded opportunities, especially MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and other international collaboration schemes.
Expert Insights and Practical Guidance
Participants heard from key voices in the MSCA and EURAXESS communities:
Ms. Dora Czifra (MSCA Unit, DG EAC) shared the latest updates on calls, priorities, and programme objectives.
Ms. Cristina Gomez (EURAXESS Worldwide Coordinator) provided detailed guidance on eligibility, application strategies, and how to build a strong proposal.
Dr. Ahmed Maalel (Regional Representative for EURAXESS Africa) conducted a live demonstration of the EURAXESS and Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal (FTOP) platforms, offering practical insights on how to navigate and make the most of these tools.
The sessions were highly interactive, with many attendees posing questions and expressing interest in future calls.
Pathways to International Collaboration
The webinars also served to highlight how African researchers and institutions can take part in MSCA Actions, either by hosting postdoctoral fellows or by joining consortia under Horizon Europe. Emphasis was placed on the importance of international networking, institutional readiness, and capacity-building.