In the dynamic world of European research and innovation, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program stands out as a beacon of support for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. It champions mobility, fosters scientific curiosity, and nurtures investigator-driven research — the kind of foundational, bottom-up science that has fueled breakthroughs for decades. Yet now, a new challenge looms over this prized institution: the European Commission’s draft work programme proposes to introduce a top-down, thematic focus on MSCA, aligning it closely with political priorities. This shift risks steering the program away from its core principle of supporting free, curiosity-driven inquiry, raising deep concerns across Europe’s academic and research communities.
MSCA is more than just a funding mechanism. It is part of the very fabric of European research excellence, standing alongside other flagship initiatives such as the European Research Council (ERC) and the EIC Pathfinder Open. Together, these programs have built a thriving ecosystem where ideas can flourish irrespective of political trends or immediate policy agendas. The potential loss of MSCA’s bottom-up nature threatens to stifle this freedom, potentially limiting the diversity of research questions tackled and the innovative leaps born from genuine scientific passion.
This issue is not merely theoretical. For countless doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers, MSCA funding provides the opportunity to pursue groundbreaking questions that may not fit neatly into short-term political goals but are crucial for long-term scientific progress. Take the example of a young researcher exploring the genetics of rare diseases—an area that may not be an immediate political priority but holds transformative potential for medicine. The freedom to follow such paths without top-down constraints fuels creativity and resilience within the research community.
The pushback against the proposed directionality comes from a broad coalition of European institutions and networks deeply invested in safeguarding scientific autonomy. The European University Association (EUA) leads a joint statement, supported by diverse groups such as the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN), the Coimbra Group, EU-LIFE, ALLEA, and many others. This alliance reflects a united front, recognizing that MSCA’s strength lies in its flexibility and openness. Their voices echo a shared belief that political agendas should not dictate the trajectory of investigator-driven research.
From the perspective of European research universities, MSCA acts as a crucial platform for fostering international collaboration. Mobility is a defining feature, encouraging researchers to cross borders and engage with different scientific cultures. This exchange cultivates not only novel ideas but also a sense of shared purpose across the continent. By imposing top-down thematic priorities, there is a real risk that this vibrant exchange could be curtailed, as the diversity of research interests narrows in favor of politically aligned topics.
The history of MSCA’s impact is filled with stories of serendipitous discoveries and personal growth. Researchers funded through the program have gone on to lead cutting-edge projects in fields as varied as climate science, artificial intelligence, social sciences, and renewable energy. One postdoctoral fellow, for instance, used MSCA support to develop innovative materials for sustainable energy storage, a project initially viewed as niche but now central to Europe’s green ambitions. Without the freedom to explore such avenues unfettered, these breakthroughs might never have materialized.
The coalition’s call to “keep MSCA bottom-up” also resonates deeply with the broader mission of academia: to advance knowledge for society’s benefit without undue interference. Universities and research institutions thrive on intellectual freedom; it is the engine driving progress and critical thinking. The imposition of a top-down framework risks transforming MSCA into a tool for political expediency rather than a driver of genuine innovation and scientific excellence.
As Europe faces unprecedented challenges—from climate change to digital transformation and public health crises—the need for a robust, diverse, and agile research ecosystem has never been greater. Supporting investigator-driven research means investing in the unknown, in ideas not yet framed by policy but that might one day revolutionize how we live. The research community understands that curiosity cannot be programmed but must be nurtured through trust and autonomy.
In the daily realities of research, this means providing young scientists the freedom to choose their projects and pathways, knowing that their work is valued beyond immediate political gains. It means creating spaces where intellectual risk-taking is rewarded, where failure is seen as part of discovery, and where innovation is born from the bottom-up rather than imposed from the top-down.
The MSCA program exemplifies these ideals. Its commitment to mobility, excellence, and investigator-driven inquiry aligns with Europe’s vision of fostering a knowledge society that is competitive globally while remaining deeply rooted in European values of openness and collaboration. Preserving this ethos is essential not just for the researchers of today but for the generations to come.
The wide-ranging support from organizations like the Marie Curie Alumni Association, the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers, and numerous university networks illustrates how deeply MSCA’s bottom-up approach is embedded in the fabric of European research culture. Their collective voices remind policymakers that science is not merely a tool for immediate policy outcomes but a continuous journey toward understanding and innovation.
In this context, protecting MSCA’s autonomy is also about honoring the human stories behind the science—the young researcher embarking on a cross-border fellowship, the doctoral candidate pushing the boundaries of social science, the postdoc developing novel cancer therapies. These journeys embody hope, perseverance, and a shared commitment to knowledge that transcends borders and political cycles.
Europe’s research community is at a crossroads, and the decision to maintain MSCA’s bottom-up nature will shape the future of science on the continent. It is a choice between safeguarding a vibrant, diverse, and curiosity-driven research ecosystem or succumbing to short-term political pressures that risk undermining the very foundation of scientific progress.
Ultimately, the call is clear: MSCA must remain a pillar of investigator-driven research, free from the constraints of political directionality. By doing so, Europe ensures that its research environment remains fertile ground for innovation, collaboration, and excellence, nurturing the scientists who will tackle tomorrow’s challenges with creativity and determination. 🌍🔬✨