Future perspectives MSCA in Horizon Europe 2030 24/04/2024
Last April 19th, Manuel Heitor participated at the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) conference, an event that addressed researchers’ careers.
Manuel Heitor calls Europe to better consider the quality of research work affecting above all young researchers. Two main issues were addressed: 1) New assessment procedures considering the quality of research jobs together with the quality and impact of research results; and 2) new co funding schemes to foster more and better research careers in Europe.
Manuel Heitor presented the scope of the recently launched "CESAER research careers survey 2024" aiming to provide new evidence for policy making. He called universities and RTOs in Europe to participate.
In addition, he discussed four main critical challenges for the evolution of the European framework program on research and innovation and the need to focus on people and to address and effectively engage young generations in R&I:
- competitive excellence in research and innovation, to attract and retain young talent in a way to strengthen and guarantee the independence of existing programs such as MSCA, ERC and EIC;
- research and innovation for industrial competitiveness, promoting independent boards to address renewed instruments and the necessary institutional industry engagement. It covers critical areas of defense and energy research to promote Europe strategic autonomy in critical advanced technologies that are expected to foster the quality of jobs;
- ?research and innovation for societal transitions by addressing societal challenges , including citizen security, the aging of society and the need to further act on climate change. This clearly requires a renewed approach to global science and technology cooperation;
- ?fostering the European R&I ecosystems through strengthening the European research and innovation area. It must consider research infrastructures throughout Europe, as well as the necessary funding and renewed assessment procedures for better research careers. But it also needs to consider widening actions towards a more inclusive Europe.
Check below Manuel Heitor's keynote speach at the MSCA 2024 conference.
