MSCA funds 49 projects in 40 countries to bring research closer to schools and society
MSCA and Citizens connects researchers with schools and the wider public across Europe to celebrate the achievements of science - past, present and future - to build trust and foster appreciation.
The European Commission will award €16.3 million to fund 49 projects organising 2 successive editions of the European Researchers’ Night in 2026 and 2027 the implementation of Researchers at Schools activities over the course of 2 consecutive years.
The European Research Executive Agency (REA) received 241 applications for this call, out of which 234 were considered eligible. 49 were selected for funding, representing a success rate of 20.3%.
The 2 flagship initiatives will take place across 40 countries in Europe and beyond
An overview of the evaluation results, cut-off scores and statistics has been published on the MSCA and Citizens 2025 call page on the Funding and Tenders Opportunities Portal.
Once grant agreements are finalised, the complete list of funded projects will be published on the same page and on CORDIS.
Next steps for successful applicants
Applicants have received letters from the European Research Executive Agency informing them of the outcome of the selection process. They should be able to access the results of the evaluation on their personal area of the Funding and Tenders Opportunities Portal.
The letter sent out to the successful applicants contains all the instructions about the next steps to prepare the grant agreement with the Agency.
The first projects will start at the earliest in spring 2026.
8 projects are on the reserve list and may be contacted after the afore-mentioned date if funding is still available.
82 projects have passed all thresholds and can apply to become self-funded associated events.
About MSCA and Citizens
MSCA and Citizens brings research and researchers closer to the public at large, with a focus on families, pupils and students, and social groups that do not have easy access to and thus are less inclined to engage in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) or research activities.
It does so through
- the European Researchers’ Night, the largest science engagement and communication event taking place in Europe. It takes place every year on the last Friday of September and attracts over 1 million visitors. Events combine education with entertainment through exhibitions, hands-on experiments, science shows, simulations, debates, games, competitions, quizzes, etc.
- Researchers at Schools, which supports activities and direct interaction between researchers and primary and secondary education pupils throughout the year.
Aim of the initiatives
The European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools aim at
- fostering exchanges between researchers and society
- increasing awareness of research and innovation activities and boosting public recognition of science and research education
- showing the role of the researcher for society and the economy, as well as the impact of researchers’ work on citizens’ daily lives
- raising the interest of young people in research and scientific careers
These activities will address various audiences, attracting people regardless of their science capital.
Next funding round coming soon
The next MSCA and Citizens call will open on 9 March 2027. For more information, please see our how to apply page.
Did you know?
2026 marks a key milestone: the 30th anniversary of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
Since 1996, the programme has played a crucial role in advancing research and innovation, supporting over 150,000 researchers, including 23 Nobel Prize winners.
And it has supported universities across Europe in organising the European Researchers’ Night for 20 years.
The programme has been a cornerstone of European research and a beacon of excellence, fostering mobility across disciplines, sectors, and countries and attracting and nurturing top talent.
2026 is a moment to reflect on what has been achieved, and to look ahead to what comes next.
Stay tuned and follow us for more updates
Celebrating 30 years of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Watch the interview with Prof. Dr. Hélène Langevin-Joliot, granddaughter of Marie Skłodowska-Curie
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