Science Without Borders: The Lasting Legacy of Marie Skłodowska-Curie

• The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) is an EU flagship program supporting researcher training, mobility, and career development, marking its 30th anniversary in 2026.
• Since 1996, the program has backed over 150,000 researchers, including 23 Nobel Prize laureates.
• MSCA promotes gender equality in science, with women making up 45% of supported researchers.
• The initiative funds roughly 8,000 researchers annually, encouraging international and cross-sector collaboration between academia and industry.

Core Program Impact

• MSCA fosters "curiosity without limits," granting researchers the freedom to explore niche or unconventional topics before they enter policy agendas.
• Examples of supported research include Dr. Yara Bernaldo de Quirós’s study on dolphin vascular protection for human health applications and Dr. Michela Puddu’s development of DNA-based tracking technology for supply chains.
• The program bridges the gap between laboratory research and entrepreneurship, supporting the creation of startups like Haelixa.
• Around 50% of participating organizations are now companies, including SMEs, which benefits from access to international talent.

Public Engagement and Legacy

• The program honors Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s legacy by encouraging mobility and scientific curiosity.
• Public outreach, such as the European Researchers' Night, connects over 1 million visitors annually with scientists across 40 countries.
• Diversity is central to the program's philosophy, with figures like Nobel laureate Professor Anne L’Huillier noting that diverse groups are essential for scientific creativity.