The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) support cutting-edge research and innovation while providing researchers at every career stage opportunities to acquire new skills and insights. By promoting mobility across borders and offering exposure to diverse sectors and disciplines, the program advances individual careers and strengthens Europe’s overall research and innovation capacity through long-term investments in exceptional talent.
As its name suggests, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges (MSCA-SE) funding scheme supports short-term international and inter-sectoral exchanges of staff members involved in research and innovation activities of participating organisations. The program fosters international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen research and innovation by facilitating knowledge exchange between academic and non-academic institutions and organizations, especially SMEs, across Europe and beyond. Participating staff, who are nominated by their respective home organisations, gain valuable skills, expand their career horizons, and contribute to cutting-edge advancements, while host organizations enhance their research capabilities through fresh expertise and diverse perspectives.
Who should apply?
The MSCA-SE funding scheme welcomes international consortia consisting of universities, research institutions, companies, SMEs, and other non-academic bodies with a shared thematic interest which forms the basis for the joint R&I project. The eligibility criteria of consortia are different from most Horizon Europe funding schemes:
- A consortium must involve at least three organizations from three different countries, at least two of which must be located in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
- Beyond this minimum, consortia may include additional organizations from any country in the world*.
- In case all members belong to the same sector (either academic or non-academic), at least one partner must come from a non-associated Third Country.
- Only organizations established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries can be beneficiaries. Organizations from other countries would be considered associated partners.
* While participation is open to organizations from anywhere in the world, not all countries are automatically eligible for funding. Please consult the list of countries eligible for funding in Horizon Europe. Participants from countries not eligible for funding have to participate at their own cost or receive funding exceptionally, if the reviewers are convinced that their participation is essential for implementing the project
What does the funding cover?
The MSCA-SE grants fund joint R&I projects which are executed by secondments, namely, the relocation of staff from their original organization to another partner in the consortium. A staff member’s secondment can be between one month to one year and can be divided into multiple periods at one or more beneficiary or associated partner organizations. Funded projects can run for up to four years.
Projects must include strategically designed and focused knowledge-sharing and interactions among the participating organisations, and should build on previous work while extending further to create or reinforce enduring collaborative relationships.
The collaborative strategy behind MSCA-SE should harness the complementary strengths of participating organizations to foster synergies. Secondments must be necessary for advancing the joint project’s R&I efforts. Additionally, the project should support networking and the organization of workshops and conferences to encourage knowledge sharing and the testing of innovative approaches for specific R&I topics.
The joint R&I project and staff exchange should offer new skills acquisition and career development perspectives for participating staff members. All participating organisations must therefore ensure that the seconded staff are adequately mentored.
Three dimensions of mobility: international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary
Secondments (exchange of staff) should fulfill at least one of the three dimensions, and conform to the following rules:
- Secondments must always take place between different countries.
- Exchanges between organizations within EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries should mainly be inter-sectoral.
- Same-sector exchanges have to be interdisciplinary.
- Same-sector secondments (e.g., from academic sector to academic sector) between EU Member States/Horizon Europe Associated Countries are limited to up to one-third (1/3) of the total person-months of the project.
- Exchanges with non-associated Third Countries may be within the same sector and discipline.
- Secondments between institutions established in non-associated Third Countries are not eligible.
A summary of the eligibility of secondments between organisations can be seen in the figure below.
The budget of an MSCA-SE project is based on monthly unit contributions multiplied by the number of person-months planned (1 person month = 1 month of seconded staff). Staff on secondment receive a top-up allowance to cover travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs on top of their regular salary which is covered by their home organization, along with a special needs allowance if required. Each unit contribution includes funds for research, training, and networking activities, as well as management and indirect costs.
Eligible staff members
Eligible staff members can include researchers at any career stage, from PhD candidates to postdoctoral researchers, as well as administrative, technical, or managerial personnel involved in research and innovation. They may be of any nationality but must have been engaged in or connected to research and innovation activities at their home organization for at least one month before their secondment (full-time equivalent).
The nature of the working relationship (such as an employment contract, fellowship, or other arrangement) between the staff member and the sending organization must align with relevant national laws and internal regulations, and must be performed on a full-time basis only.
In terms of experience, staff members must possess the necessary expertise to carry out the project’s R&I work packages and deliverables. Additionally, individuals in purely administrative roles are not considered actively engaged in the organization’s R&I activities and are therefore ineligible for secondments.
At the end of the secondment, the seconded staff members must return to their sending institution, where they are expected to disseminate the knowledge and skills acquired during the exchange, strengthening collaborative networks.
Expected impacts and outcomes of the MSCA-SE grant
MSCA-SE proposals should aim to boost international, cross-sector, and interdisciplinary mobility of research personnel by creating and strengthening collaborative networks and activities. They are intended to enhance the pool of research and innovation talent in Europe and globally, thereby making Europe an even more attractive destination for R&I.
Furthermore, these initiatives are expected to drive Europe’s competitiveness and growth by fostering high-caliber research and innovation, while also cultivating a culture of open science, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
By fostering interdisciplinary cooperation and promoting mobility across borders and sectors, the MSCA-SE funding scheme plays a crucial role in advancing research excellence and career development. This funding scheme enhances Europe’s scientific and innovation capacity and reinforces long-term collaborations that extend beyond the project’s duration. Researchers and institutions looking to engage in global R&I activities can leverage MSCA-SE as a powerful tool for growth, innovation, and international networking. If you have any questions or would like us to assist you with your MSCA-SE application, do not hesitate to contact us.