Portugal achieves good results in Call Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges Call

Portuguese institutions secured €3.3 million in Call Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges (MSCA SE), corresponding to 4.16% of the funding to be allocated. A total of 209 consortia of institutions applied, with 79 proposals selected for funding.

Five of the winning proposals are coordinated by Portuguese institutions: University of Aveiro, New University of Lisbon, Biopolis Association, University of Minho, and University of Porto. Overall, Portuguese institutions participate in 22 winning proposals, meaning they are part of 17 winning consortia without assuming the coordinating role.

MSCA SE is a Horizon Europe instrument for funding the mobility of researchers, technicians, and science managers directly involved in research, at any stage of their career. Consortia applying for funding must have a minimum of three institutions from three different countries. Like the other Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions, they aim to train and develop the careers of researchers through three dimensions of mobility: between countries, between the academic and non-academic sectors, and between disciplines.

The participation of Portuguese institutions in this Horizon Europe instrument has been very positive, with €13.28 million already secured since the start of Horizon Europe. In 2023, Portuguese institutions that were part of candidate consortia (as coordinators or participants) had a success rate of 27.17%, with the European average standing at 32.8%, but there have already been some years in which Portugal's success rate has been slightly higher than the European Union average.

The next Call SE Call is expected to be open between September 19, 2024, and February 5, 2025. A video recording of a recent MSCA SE information session is available for viewing.

The FCT is responsible for promoting Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions in Portugal, regularly holding information sessions and proposal writing workshops, initiatives that are publicized through expressions of interest by filling out a form and in news published on the FCT website. The FCT is also responsible for representing Portugal on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Program Configuration Committee, within the European Union.