The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND opened a new call for submission as part of the Horizon Europe programme. The MSCA COFUND 2023 action provides funding for regional, national and international programmes for training and career development, through co-funding mechanisms. The aim of the action is to spread the best practices of the MSCA including international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary research training, as well as international and cross-sectoral mobility of researchers at all stages of their career.

Proposed programmes can cover any research disciplines (“bottom-up”), but exceptionally, can also focus on specific disciplines. Notably, this focus can apply when the programmes are based on national or regional Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (“RIS3” strategies).

Types of COFUND 2023

There are 2 types of COFUND:

1. Doctoral Programmes – Offer research training activities to allow doctoral candidates to develop and broaden their skills and competences. They will lead to the award of a doctoral degree.
2. Postdoctoral Programmes – Fund individual advanced research training and career development fellowships for postdoctoral researchers.

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

For supported doctoral candidates or postdoctoral researchers

• Deeper and more diverse set of research-related and transferable skills and competences;
• Improved employability and career prospects both within academia and beyond;
• New mind-sets and approaches to R&I shaped through international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary experience;
• Enhanced networking and communication capacities with scientific peers, as well as with the general public that will increase and broaden the research and innovation impact.

For participating organisations

• Enhanced quality and sustainability of research training;
• Increased global attractiveness, visibility and reputation of the participating organisation(s);
• Stronger R&I capacity and output among participating organisations;
• Increased contribution of the participating organisations to the local, regional and/or national socio-economic ecosystems;
• Regular feedback of research results into teaching and education at participating organisations.

A Career Development Plan (CDP) must be jointly established by the supervisor and each recruited researcher upon recruitment. In addition to research objectives, this CDP comprises the researcher’s training and career needs, including training on transferable skills, teaching, planning for publications and participation in conferences and events aimed at opening science and research to citizens.

COFUND funding

A single legal entity in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country applies. Additional partners can be included in the project. COFUND projects should last for up to five years and should recruit at least 3 researchers. A beneficiary can receive a maximum of € 10 million per call.

Help or advice?

Do you have questions about MSCA COFUND 2023? Or could you use help preparing your application? Our specialists will be happy to assist you! Get in touch via info@hezelburcht.com or call us directly by phone: 088 495 20 00.