€1.25 billion boost for research: MSCA 2025 calls and new initiative revealed

The European Commission has announced a significant funding boost for research and innovation through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) in 2025

With over €1.25 billion allocated, this year’s programme aims to support around 10,000 researchers worldwide across all disciplines and career stages.

Global research excellence

MSCA will fund various activities, including doctoral and postdoctoral programmes, fellowships, and collaborative projects. The initiative focuses on cutting-edge research and fostering international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral cooperation.

Researchers supported by MSCA will benefit from skill development, career advancement opportunities, and the chance to work within and beyond academia. These efforts continue to raise the standard of research careers across Europe, contributing to the global visibility and attractiveness of the EU research landscape.

Introducing “Choose Europe for Science”

As part of 2025, the European Commission launched a new pilot initiative called Choose Europe for Science. This scheme addresses ongoing concerns like brain drain and precarious employment conditions for researchers.

The pilot will fund projects where academic and non-academic organisations commit to hiring postdoctoral researchers with clear prospects of employment past the project period. Initiative is that institutions will be evaluated not just on research excellence but also on the long-term career opportunities they offer.

The Choose Europe for Science call opens on 1 October 2025 and closes on 3 December 2025, with information sessions planned in the lead-up to support potential applicants.

MSCA 2025 calls for a timeline and budgets

The 2025 funding round is already underway, with several calls open or soon to open:

• COFUND:
  • With a budget of €101.8 million, this scheme helps institutions enhance doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. The call is open until 24 June 2025.
• Staff exchanges:
  • Supporting collaboration and knowledge exchange, this €97.7 million call closes on 8 October 2025. An information session is scheduled for 5 June 2025.
• Postdoctoral fellowships:
  • With €404.3 million allocated, this programme allows researchers to work abroad and collaborate with leading research teams. The call runs until 10 September 2025.
• MSCA4Ukraine:
  • An additional €10 million is dedicated to researchers displaced by the war in Ukraine. This follows previous support for 174 researchers and aims to help more doctoral and postdoctoral candidates continue their work safely in the EU. The next call opens on 20 May 2025 and closes on 16 September 2025.
• Doctoral networks:
  • With €597.8 million in funding, this scheme supports recruiting and training PhD candidates across sectors. The call opens on 28 May 2025 and ends on 25 November 2025. An online info day is set for 24 June 2025.
• MSCA & citizens:
  • Aiming to increase public engagement with science, this €16.2 million call supports European Researchers’ Night and school-based activities. It opens on 17 June 2025 and closes on 22 October 2025.

Supporting Europe’s research future

The MSCA continues to shape the future of European research, providing key opportunities for researchers and institutions alike. With the addition of the Choose Europe for Science initiative, the 2025 programme reinforces the EU’s commitment to making research careers more attractive, stable, and globally competitive.