"ERA Thematic Dossier" on MSCA and ERC shows successful performance and above-average success rates – FFG supports researchers and companies with a comprehensive range of information and consultancy services
Marie Skłodowska-Curie set an example of what made her successful as a scientist and what is now specifically supported by the measures named after her in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation "Horizon 2020": Namely that mobility is essential for research and innovation and the exchange promotes - in several respects - career perspectives for researchers. On 1 and 2 October 2018, the future orientation of the MSCA measures was discussed at the EU Presidency Event "Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Conference 2018" in Vienna.
"ERA Thematic Dossier" on "Austria in 'Horizon 2020': Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and European Research Council"
On behalf of the Republic of Austria and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the FFG acts as the National Contact Point for "Horizon 2020" and has produced the "ERA Thematic Dossier" on "Austria in 'Horizon 2020': Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and European Research Council". The dossier shows the crucial importance of these two programmes for promoting career opportunities for researchers and excellent European basic research for Europe. "From an Austrian perspective, the above-average success rates are particularly encouraging", emphasise Henrietta Egerth and Klaus Pseiner, Managing Directors of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG.
Since 2014, around 144 million euros have been allocated to Austrian research organisations within the framework of the ERC (European Research Council). At 17.3 percent, the success rate is well above the average of 12 percent in all countries. Austria has so far been able to acquire 109 grants, with the Starting Grants being the most successful so far. The potential of the "Proof of Concept" grants in particular has not yet been exhausted: Ideas arising from ERC projects can be tested within the framework of the "Proof of Concept" with regard to their potential for marketable innovations.
Since the launch of "Horizon 2020" in 2014, around 72 million euros have been invested in MSCA in Austria and there have been 276 MSCA participations to date. With a success rate of 13.7 percent, researchers working at Austrian institutions are above average (average of all participating countries: 12.4 percent).
Marie Skłodowska-Curie measures support the career development of researchers through international and interdisciplinary mobility as well as knowledge transfer between the academic and non-academic sectors. The co-financing of national doctoral and fellowship programmes is also possible. The five different Marie Skłodowska-Curie measures at a glance:
- IF - Individual Fellowships (next call from 11 April 2019 to 11 September 2019, https://www.ffg.at/europa/h2020/msca/if)
- ITN - Innovative Training Networks (current invitation to tender open until 15 January 2019, https://www.ffg.at/europa/h2020/msca/itn)
- RISE - Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (next call from 4 December 2018 to 2 April 2019, https://www.ffg.at/europa/h2020/msca/rise)
- COFUND - Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (next call from 04 April 2019 to 26 September 2019, https://www.ffg.at/europa/h2020/msca/cofund)
- NIGHT - Researchers' Night (next call expected from 8 October 2019 to 8 January 2020, https://www.ffg.at/europa/h2020/msca/night)
