MSCA and Citizens 2027

MSCA and Citizens aims to bring research and researchers closer to the public at large, to increase awareness of research and innovation activities and to boost public recognition of science and research education. It will show the role of the researcher for the society and economy, as well as the impact of researchers’ work on citizens’ daily lives. It also aims to raise the interest of young people in research and scientific careers.

MSCA and Citizens will address the general public, attracting people regardless of the level of their scientific background, with a specific focus on families, pupils, students, and notably those who do not have easy access to, and thus are less inclined to engage in, STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) or research activities. Inclusiveness should be key, in view of broadening access to science and research to all.

MSCA and Citizens should also promote gender balance and inclusiveness in science, Open Science, and Responsible Research and Innovation.

These objectives will be pursued through the organisation of the European Researchers’ Night and the implementation of the Researchers at Schools initiative.

The European Researchers’ Night is the largest research communication and promotion event taking place across EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. A wide geographic coverage that reflects the European nature of this initiative is key.

The Researchers at Schools initiative aims to strengthen the connection between research and education. It brings school classes to research facilities and researchers to schools or other pedagogical and educational centres, encouraging interaction with pupils at all levels of education. Researchers and pupils will meet to talk about current and future challenges of our societies and the related key role of research. Pupils will learn directly about research projects and activities addressing the EU priorities and main orientations.

Expected impact

Proposals under this Action should contribute to the following expected impacts:

• Enhance engagement with citizens on R&I;
• Increase awareness among the general public of the importance and benefits of R&I, especially EU-funded research, and its concrete impact on citizens’ daily life;
• Contribute to the diffusion and the promotion of excellence research projects across Europe and beyond by reaching citizens in as many participating countries as possible;
• Raise the interest of young people in science and research careers;
• Support school teachers and educators by showcasing real-life applications of research projects and creating a learning opportunity for pupils through a direct interaction with researchers.

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

For researchers

• Enhanced opportunities to interact with citizens and local, regional and national authorities;
• Improved communication skills and competences to interact with a non-research audience, notably with pupils and students.

For organisations

• Increased reputation and visibility of participating organisations in terms of hosting excellent research projects towards the general public and possible future students;
• Researchers’ work made more tangible, concrete, accessible, and thus opening research and science to all;
• Improved outreach to all audiences across Europe, and notably those who do not have an easy access to science and research activities;
• Better communication of R&I results and activities to society, increased and strengthened opportunities for citizens’ engagement.

Scope:

Proposals should cover both the organisation of the European Researchers’ Night and the implementation of the Researchers at Schools initiative.

The European Researchers' Night takes place every year, on the last Friday of September. It supports events that can last up to two days: they can start on Friday and continue the following day. Pre-events, prior to the main event, and related post-events, such as wrap-up meetings or small-scale follow-up events, can also be organised. It is the occasion for a Europe-wide public and media event for the promotion of research careers.

The European Researchers’ Night targets the general public, addressing and attracting people regardless of the level of their scientific background, with a special focus on young people and their families, pupils and students, and notably those who do not have easy access to, and thus are less inclined to engage in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) or research activities.

The Researchers at Schools initiative brings school classes to research facilities and researchers to schools or other pedagogical and educational centres. This allows researchers to interact with pupils on societal challenges and on the key role of research to address them. Pupils will thus learn directly about research projects.

Types of activities

European Researchers’ Night activities can combine education with entertainment, especially when addressing young audiences. They can take various forms, such as exhibitions, hands-on experiments, science shows, simulations, debates, games, competitions, quizzes, etc. Where appropriate, engagement with educational institutions should be sought in order to encourage formal and informal science education with the aim of improving the scientific knowledge base. The European Researchers’ Night should be highlighted as a European and Europe-wide event. Additionally, each proposal should promote the European Union, EU-funded research and its impact on citizens’ daily life in the most appropriate way, according to the set-up and the configuration of the event, its location and its activities.

Researchers at Schools activities will allow researchers to showcase their work and interact with pupils. They can take various forms, such as presentations, discussions, speed-dating, citizen science, science shows, summer schools, nature walks or visits to research facilities. Where appropriate, researchers should receive training ahead of the activities on science communication, especially targeting a young audience. The Researchers at Schools activities should take place at any time during the project duration and should be subject to a dedicated promotion, particularly towards schools and other pedagogical and educational centres.

Involvement of researchers funded by Horizon Europe or previous Framework Programmes, notably by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, is highly encouraged.

Both the European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools initiative should promote gender balance, diversity and inclusiveness in science in terms of planned activities and researchers involved.

Partnerships and coordination at regional, national or cross-border levels will be strongly encouraged aiming at a good geographical spread and avoiding overlaps.

Where appropriate, synergies should be sought with the newly created Science Comes To Town initiative, implemented through Work Programme Annex 11, Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area.

High-quality applications not retained due to lack of funding may be granted the status of associated events.

Eligible costs will take the form of lump sum contributions as stipulated in Decision of 11 March 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions and unit contributions for Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

The maximum requested EU contribution per proposal should not exceed EUR 350 000. All proposals are encouraged to bring additional sources of funding. The budget will be evaluated under the criterion 3 “Quality and efficiency of the implementation”. Proposals that exceed this maximum EU contribution might be penalised during the evaluation unless a strong justification is provided.

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals covering activities for both 2028 and 2029, including the organisation of two successive editions (2028 and 2029) of the European Researchers’ Night and implementation of Researchers at Schools activities during the project duration. Applicants should clearly state how they will communicate and promote the European nature of this action.