The European Commission has launched the ‘Choose Europe for Science’ pilot scheme, which forms part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This initiative is designed to bolster research careers by providing longer-term employment prospects to researchers, thereby addressing job precarity in this field. “The objective is to fight against the precarity of researchers’ careers, thus making research careers in Europe more attractive,” according to the Commission.
Unlike other programs, ‘Choose Europe for Science’ does not focus on a specific theme or discipline. Instead, it allows applicants to propose programs that align with their academic and research strategies. In the future, depending on its results, the Commission may consider introducing a thematic focus.
The funding provided through this pilot is directed towards organizations rather than individual researchers. Eligible entities include universities, research centers, government institutions dedicated to research, and R&D-oriented spin-offs across the EU and countries associated with Horizon Europe. These organizations are tasked with creating postdoctoral-level programs that recruit at least three researchers each.
A significant feature of this scheme is its openness to global participation. The co-funded programs will be available to researchers worldwide, including those from outside Europe who wish to relocate. However, they must comply with MSCA’s mobility rule: applicants should not have resided or worked in the country of the beneficiary for over 12 months within the 36 months preceding their application.
The funded programs will proceed in two phases: an initial stage lasting either 24 or 36 months where EU funding covers minimum gross monthly remuneration equivalent to €6,700 for recruited researchers; followed by a second phase funded entirely by beneficiaries offering nationally or regionally competitive salaries.
The scheme encourages proposals catering to various roles within research and academia—not just lead researcher positions—to address issues such as non-standard contracts and job precarity across different roles like primary investigators, lecturers, research managers, and highly specialized technicians. This approach aligns with broader efforts underlined in the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment.
For further information about ‘Choose Europe for Science,’ inquiries can be directed to spokesperson Eva Hrncirova at [email protected] or press officer Quentin Cortes at [email protected].
