MSCA and Frontiers for Young Minds publish call for abstracts for young fellows

As part of their 30th anniversary in 2026, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are teaming up with Frontiers for Young Minds (FYM) to publish a special collection on “Young researchers who will change the world”.

Frontiers for Young Minds is a non-profit linked to the scientific journal Frontiers. Its goal is to make cutting-edge science discoveries available to younger audiences.

How do they do this? It is simple: a peer review process, but the peers are children!

This way young people – with the help of a science mentor – and scientists work together to create articles that are both top quality and exciting.

This unique process produces a collection of freely available scientific articles by leading scientists, shaped for younger audiences by the input of their own young peers.

Call for abstracts now open

The MSCA is looking for 12 excellent abstracts (between 200 and 300 words) that will later be turned into 12 engaging short papers (1500 words) with the help of young students between the ages of 8 to 15.

Who can take part?

This call is for young MSCA fellows (PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers or research and innovation staff).

Although post-doctoral researchers can be sole authors, PhD candidates will be asked to co-author with their supervisor or at least one senior researcher involved in their MSCA project.

Regardless of the number of authors, we expect you to be the first author: take the lead and let us know what your research is all about.

We are looking for captivating research projects in

• Astronomy and Physics
• Biodiversity
• Human Health
• Mathematics and Economics
• Neuroscience and Psychology
• Earth and its Resources
• Chemistry and Materials
• Engineering and Technology

Evaluation criteria

All submissions will be evaluated based on

• significance and impact of work (35%)
• creativity and innovation (20%)
• completeness and quality of work presented (20%)
• easily accessible writing style and presentation (25%)

A jury will select the 12 best abstracts (1 or maximum 2 per each of the 8 disciplines) and submit them to the peer review process.

After revision and taking on board the comments made by the reviewers, all articles will be collated and promoted in a special collection “Young researchers who will change the world”.

This publication will be free of charge, and on average each FYM article receives 21 000 views. So, prepare to make your research understandable, fun and widely known.

How can you apply?

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2025, 12.00 CEST.

To apply submit an application form.

Please do not contact Frontiers for Young Minds directly, since the European Commission will manage the initial screening and selection of submissions.

For any questions related to your application, please contact EAC-MSCA-COMMUNICATION@ec.europa.eu.