Stakeholders have highlighted COFUND as a key instrument to boost research practice and improve the attractiveness and sustainability of researchers’ careers.
COFUND’s mission is to harness EU funding, stimulate excellent research, facilitate synergies with policy priorities, disseminate the highest standards promoted by MSCA, and uphold EU principles in supporting research careers.
To reinforce these goals, the European Commission recently completed a wide consultation process on the action aimed at
COFUND projects
researchers and alumni
National Contact Points
a broad spectrum of stakeholders
The consultation sessions, including a “feedback to policy” event organised by the European Research Executive Agency in June 2024, provided a platform to discuss strategies, challenges, best practices and potential improvements on
research training
evaluation, selection and recruitment processes
co-financing sources
administrative support
interdisciplinarity with a focus on industry
communicating and disseminating research results
Earlier in 2024 the European Commission had identified these six focus areas, which could be leveraged to highlight successful aspects of COFUND and increase its ability to attract and support a wide range of organisations and countries.
Key takeaways
The feedback gathered underlined the action’s strength: its ability to meet diverse needs and contexts while boosting both research practice and support to researchers’ career development.
Empowering researchers
COFUND is not just about funding; it empowers excellent researchers to take their careers to new heights by offering excellent training and working conditions. The consultation demonstrated how putting researchers first leads to a stronger European research sector.
Breaking barriers
COFUND breaks down barriers to international research collaboration, making it easier for talented researchers to work across borders, sectors and disciplines. Bridging these divisions can lead to pioneering research outcomes and stronger global partnerships.
Inspiring innovative solutions
From co-funding strategies to effective dissemination of research, COFUND supports innovative solutions that can be replicated and adapted across Europe. These are vital to boost the efficiency and impact of research programmes in different EU countries and countries associated to Horizon Europe.
Integrating with industry
Many MSCA fellows transition to industry roles, making use of their research skills in commercial environments. COFUND projects facilitate this integration and the collaboration between academia and industry to drive innovation.
Leveraging sakeholder expertise
COFUND will become more effective by adapting to the evolving needs of researchers and institutions. The consultation is a key example of the power of collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
Strengthening the research ecosystem
COFUND success stories underscore the importance of creating a research environment that nurtures excellent talent, encourages innovation, and facilitates knowledge sharing. These elements are essential to attract and sustain a vibrant research community in Europe.
Improving attractiveness and sustainability of research careers
Improving the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers is a key priority of the European Research Area. This requires new policy measures while effectively leveraging existing tools.
MSCA COFUND can be influential in this context to develop fellowships programmes based on shared objectives such as
creating attractive working conditions
improving researchers’ selection and recruitment methods
enhancing the quality and sustainability of research training
promoting ethical scientific conduct and an open, innovative research culture
fostering interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral exposure and transferrable skills to maximise researchers’ employability.
The scheme aligns with the principles outlined in the European Charter for Researchers by setting minimum standards of employment and advancing open international recruitment practices.
It also requires hiring organisations to establish career development plans, which allow researchers to design their own pathway within the programme. This maximises their opportunities to train and develop their career across socioeconomic sectors, disciplines and countries.
The action’s power to amplify good practices positions it as an instrumental and already operational tool to implement the new EU framework on research careers.