The European Commission has just unveiled the results of the 2023 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) call for Staff Exchanges under Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship funding program for research and innovation. This year, an impressive €78.5 million has been allocated to 73 pioneering projects, marking a significant milestone in fostering global cooperation and enhancing the exchange of knowledge and innovation.
Key Highlights:
Impressive Reach and Collaboration:
- Applications and Selection: Of 233 submitted applications, 229 were deemed eligible and rigorously evaluated. A total of 73 projects emerged successfully, translating to a 31.9% success rate.
- Global Participation: The selected projects will include 715 organizations from 88 countries, including EU and non-EU nations. This includes 229 non-academic entities and 110 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), showcasing the initiative's diverse and inclusive nature.
Strategic Objectives:
- Innovation and Knowledge Transfer: The MSCA Staff Exchanges aim to create robust international partnerships, bolster long-term collaborations, and significantly enhance research and innovation capacities.
- Skill and Competency Development: Researchers and staff at various career stages will benefit from this initiative, gaining new skills and competencies through international exchanges.
Diverse Scientific Focus:
The selected projects cover a wide array of scientific disciplines, reflecting the comprehensive scope of Horizon Europe:
- Engineering and ICT: 32.9% (24 projects)
- Life Sciences: 15.1% (11 projects)
- Social Sciences and Humanities: 13.7% (10 projects)
- Environment and Geosciences: 13.7% (10 projects)
- Chemistry: 9.6% (7 projects)
- Economics: 5.5% (4 projects)
- Physics: 5.5% (4 projects)
- Mathematics: 4.1% (3 projects)
Noteworthy Projects:
- Developing cutting-edge photo and electrocatalytic systems and novel materials for hydrogen and oxygen production from water.
- Observing rare processes related to accelerator-produced neutrinos and cosmic neutrino detection through collaboration between European and Japanese scientists.
- Creating digital information models and 3D databases to enhance the management and planning of cultural heritage in European border regions.
Leading Participation:
Certain countries and organizations have shown remarkable engagement:
- Top Participating Countries: Italy (14 projects), Spain (9), Poland (7), and others including France, Portugal, Greece, and the United Kingdom.
- Active Organizations: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France) with 9 participations, University of Padova (Italy) with 6, and several others with notable contributions from across Europe and beyond.
Next Steps:
Successful applicants have been notified and can access their evaluation results via the Funding and Tenders Opportunities Portal. The grant agreements are currently being prepared, with the first projects set to commence by summer 2024.
Looking Ahead:
The European Research Executive Agency (REA) is gearing up for the next round of funding, with the call for 2024 MSCA Staff Exchanges opening on 19 September 2024.
Stay tuned for further updates and the complete list of funded projects once the grant agreements are finalized. Together, let's continue pushing the frontiers of research, innovation, and global collaboration! 🚀🔬🌐
More information, please visit: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/announcement-results-msca-staff-exchanges-2023