The European Commission has launched a new call under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and Citizens initiative, dedicating €16.25 million to support over 40 projects across Europe
Opened on 17 June 2025, the call will remain open until 22 October 2025, aiming to strengthen the connection between research, researchers, and the general public.
Science engagement for all
MSCA and Citizens is designed to make science more accessible and relatable to a broader audience, particularly focusing on families, school pupils, students, and underrepresented social groups who may have limited exposure to science and research.
By facilitating closer interactions between researchers and citizens, the initiative fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of science among the public, while encouraging young people to consider careers in research and innovation.
The two major outreach programmes
The 2025 call will fund two major initiatives:
European researchers’ night
- This popular event, which draws over 1.5 million visitors annually, will receive funding for two successive editions in 2026 and 2027. Held on the last Friday of September, the night transforms science into a vibrant, hands-on experience with exhibitions, live experiments, interactive science shows, games, competitions, and more. It is hosted in cities across EU Member States and countries associated with the Horizon Europe initiative.
Researchers at schools
- This strand of the programme supports year-round activities that place researchers in classrooms from primary to secondary education. These interactions aim to demystify scientific careers and demonstrate how research has a direct impact on society, the economy, and everyday life.
Focused objectives
Both components of the MSCA and Citizens initiative are designed with specific goals in mind:
- Strengthen dialogue and understanding between researchers and society
- Promote awareness of ongoing research and its importance
- Showcase the value and societal role of researchers
- Inspire a new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)
These events are designed to reach a diverse range of audiences, regardless of their previous exposure to science, to make science engagement more inclusive across Europe.
Changes in the 2025 call
This year’s call introduces several new updates:
- Increased funding per project: In response to inflation and rising event costs, the maximum funding per project has been increased, providing organisers with more resources to create impactful activities.
- More flexibility in themes: Unlike previous years, there are no prescribed political or thematic topics, giving applicants more freedom to design projects that work with their local context and audience needs.
- New two-phase evaluation process: To enhance the European dimension of the action, the evaluation procedure has been revamped. First, the top project proposals in each eligible country will be selected, provided they meet excellence thresholds. The remaining funds will then be awarded to the highest-ranking projects overall, regardless of their country of origin.
Everything to know about the timeline
The call is currently open, with proposals due by 22 October 2025. Applicants can expect to receive results in February 2026, with grant agreements scheduled for signing between March and May 2026.
