Malta marked 30 years of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) on Friday, 30 October, during the second day of Xjenza Malta’s R&I Days 2026. The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the European Research Council (ERC), Maltese researchers, MSCA fellows and ERC grantees to celebrate three decades of European investment in research talent and explore how researcher development can lead to frontier research.
Held at the Esplora Planetarium Hall in Villa Bighi, Kalkara, the event highlighted the contribution of MSCA to researcher mobility, advanced training and international collaboration. Over the past three decades, the programme has supported researchers at different stages of their careers, strengthened international research partnerships and contributed to the development of the European Research Area.
The event opened with remarks by Xjenza Malta CEO Mr Silvio Scerri; Mr Graham Wilkie, Head of Unit for MSCA and Citizens, COFUND and Support Activities at the European Research Executive Agency; and Professor Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council. Their opening remarks highlighted the importance of investing in research talent, fostering collaboration and advancing scientific knowledge.
Speaking on behalf of Minister Clifton Grima, Xjenza Malta CEO Mr Silvio Scerri said that “The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions have strengthened Europe’s research community through investment in talent and international collaboration. For Malta, they provide valuable opportunities for researchers to develop expertise, build international networks and contribute to scientific discovery. As we mark 30 years of MSCA, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing research talent and supporting Maltese researchers in advancing frontier research.”
Professor Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, said that “Today we mark an anniversary that reminds us just how much Europe has gained by investing in scientists. European science funding helps to create invaluable opportunities – from researcher mobility to frontier science – that a national system could not provide on its own. Congratulations to the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions! “
The programme featured successful MSCA projects involving Maltese researchers, including initiatives under Doctoral Networks, Staff Exchanges and Postdoctoral Fellowships. The presentations showcased how European funding enabled researchers and organisations in Malta to develop specialised expertise, establish international partnerships and contribute to scientific advancement.
A panel discussion explored the complementarity between MSCA and ERC funding, examining whether experience as an MSCA fellow automatically prepared researchers to compete for ERC grants. The discussion also addressed the skills, experience, mentorship and institutional support needed to progress towards independent, frontier research.
The exchange highlighted the importance of connecting researcher training, international mobility and career development with opportunities to pursue ambitious scientific questions. While MSCA supports researchers through training, collaboration and professional development, ERC funding enables researchers to pursue frontier research and advance knowledge through investigator-led projects.
Xjenza Malta played an important role in supporting Malta’s participation in Horizon Europe by helping researchers and organisations identify funding opportunities, develop international partnerships and strengthen their involvement in European research and innovation programmes. This support contributed to national research capacity and enhanced Malta’s engagement with the wider European Research Area.
The event marked an important milestone in the history of MSCA and provided an opportunity to recognise the contribution of Maltese researchers to European scientific collaboration. It also highlighted the importance of sustained investment in research talent, international cooperation and the development of the next generation of independent research leaders.
