While Europe and the whole world are undergoing a profound metamorphosis, there is an increased interest in EU funding opportunities for European researchers and innovators. With that in mind and on the occasion of the birth anniversary on 7 November of one the most influential scientists of all times, we would like to inform you of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions.
Who was Marie Sklodowska-Curie?
Marie Curie was a Polish-born female scientist back in the early years of the 20th century with considerable contributions in groundbreaking research. She is well known for her important work on radioactivity, to which she dedicated her life and gained recognition. She won the Nobel Prize two times in 1903 and 1911 in different fields of science, in Physics and Chemistry, respectively. Up to this day, Marie Sklodowska-Curie remains one of the most significant scientists of all times, and rightfully so. She was the first woman to win the Nobel prize, while at the same time, she is still the only woman to have won two separate fields after more than 100 years.
The importance of her work
First of all, Marie Curie remains an inspiration for all scientists and especially young women. During her research, she led the discovery of radioactive elements of Uranium and Polonium and developed the use of X-radiography during World War I. But most importantly, she opened the Radium Institute in 1914. Her overall work served as the basis to inspire the next generation of nuclear physicists. Throughout her scientific life, she worked with radioactive elements that quite possibly led to her death by leukemia in 1934.
The role model
Marie Sklodowska-Curie was undoubtedly one of the most influential scientists of all time. Her essential work contributed to building the world as we know it today. But what sets her apart from other important scientists of the world is not just her significant contribution to research but her whole life story.
Marie had an unquenched thirst for learning but humble beginnings in a poor Polish household to a Mathematician and Physicist father. Still, she had to start working at the age of 18 as a governess to finance her sister’s Medicinal studies in Paris. In return for the favor, she invited Marie Sklodowska-Curie to move to Paris with her with the prospect of studying at the Sorbonne, which she did. That marked the beginning of the important scientific work that Curie was later distinguished for. The fact that she was a woman in the male-dominated sciences more than 100 years ago invokes only feelings of admiration for Marie Curie's accomplishments.
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme created to honor the memory of this influential European scientist. So far, else known as MSCA, the programme has funded about 145,000 PhDs and postdocs in Europe, leading to academic or industry excellence.
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions is the flagship fellowship programme providing doctoral and postdoctoral training to researchers. It seeks to equip researchers with new knowledge and skills by encouraging cross-border mobility and exposing them to different sectors and disciplines. The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions are critical for higher education institutions, research centers, and organizations beyond academia by spreading excellence and setting high research education and training standards.
The main principles on which MSCA is built are:
- Excellence
- Mobility
- Bottom-up and open to the world
- Excellent recruitment, working conditions, and inclusiveness
- Effective supervision and career guidance
- Open science and responsible research and innovation
- European Green Deal
- Synergies
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions fall under the scope of Horizon Europe Programme 2021-2027, the key funding programme for research and innovation in Europe. Therefore, MSCA wants to employ excellent science by providing EU funding for fellowships supporting the missions set out by Horizon Europe.
Conclusion
We are at a point when we urgently need research and innovation excellence to deal with global challenges like climate change. Europe has been the birthplace of some of the world's most prominent researchers and innovators like Marie Curie. We need to support and inspire the new generation of scientists to solve our biggest challenges. Marie Sklodowska-Curie's actions are Europe's response to the needs of researchers in terms of training, transnational and cross-sectoral collaborations, and funding of research projects.
EUcalls acts as a broker between researchers and European Calls for funding. Our platform can help you locate the ideal funding opportunity tailored to your research needs. Additionally, it can also help you find partners to boost your transnational and cross-sectoral collaborations.
If you are interested in finding all the open calls for research funding in Europe, like Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, you can start your EU funding search today by becoming a free EUcalls member
