On October 31, 2024, the Department of Research Activities at D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKSTU) held an information session on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program for the university’s faculty and researchers. The speaker, Prof. Erhan Doğan, an expert from Marmara University (Turkey), shared his experience with Erasmus projects and provided a detailed overview of the opportunities MSCA offers for researchers.

Prof. Doğan emphasized strategies for preparing a successful application for MSCA Staff Exchanges. He demonstrated a sample application, giving participants a practical understanding of the submission process, and highlighted key aspects to consider when developing applications. Prof. Doğan also underscored the importance of international collaboration and the strengthening of academic networks, which significantly enhance the chances of securing funding and achieving project success. In the practical portion of the session, he shared recommendations on document preparation and pointed out common mistakes to avoid.

Prof. Doğan further noted that MSCA encompasses other programs that provide additional opportunities for researchers:

  • Doctoral Networks — international doctoral programs, including joint and industrial doctoral degrees, which promote academic mobility and professional skills development.
  • Postdoctoral Fellowships — scholarships supporting postdoctoral researchers in Europe and beyond, fostering the growth of independent research.
  • COFUND — co-funding of doctoral and postdoctoral programs aimed at scientific career development and academic mobility.

For those interested in further exploring the MSCA program, additional resources are available here:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/horizon 

  • Horizon Europe MSCA Work Programme 2023-2024

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-mscaactions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf 

  • European Charter and Code for Researchers

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter-code-researchers 

  • MSCA Guidelines on Supervision

https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/508311 

The session sparked significant interest among EKSTU faculty and researchers, providing them with valuable knowledge and practical advice for successful participation in MSCA.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss potential research initiatives, opening up new perspectives for international collaboration at the university.