TÜBİTAK organized a comprehensive event on 15 April 2026 at the Feza Gürsey Conference Room in Ankara, focusing on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under Horizon Europe. The event brought together researchers, institutional representatives, and experts to explore funding opportunities and proposal strategies within MSCA.
The programme opened with remarks by TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, followed by a session delivered by TÜBİTAK Head of EU Framework Programmes Department Çağrı Yıldırım, who provided an overview of Horizon Europe. He also highlighted Türkiye’s current position, strengths, and future potential within the programme.
Strengthening MSCA Proposal Knowledge
The morning sessions focused on the strategic importance of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF). European Research Executive Agency Head of Sector Audrey Arfi shared an in-depth presentation covering policy objectives, key features of the 2026 PF call, eligibility conditions, and expected impacts. The session also emphasized best practices in proposal writing, including essential “do’s and don’ts” for applicants.
Participants additionally received practical guidance on the submission process through the Participant Portal from TÜBİTAK MSCA National Contact Point for Türkiye Şeyma Sayımlar Ömer.
Insights from Researchers and Evaluators
The event featured valuable perspectives from experienced researchers and evaluators. Dr. Burak Boyacıoğlu shared insights on developing successful proposals, while Prof. Dr. Deniz Üner provided an evaluator’s perspective on how proposals are assessed and selected for funding.
Expanding Opportunities under MSCA
In the afternoon sessions, Audrey Arfi introduced MSCA Doctoral Networks (DN), highlighting their role in supporting early-stage researchers. A testimonial session by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dicle N. Dövencioğlu offered practical insights from ongoing project experience.
Further sessions presented additional MSCA funding schemes, including Staff Exchanges (SE), COFUND programmes such as Türkiye’s CoCirculation3 project, and MSCA and Citizens initiatives, showcasing diverse collaboration and mobility opportunities.
Supporting Researchers in Türkiye
The programme concluded with a dedicated session on national support mechanisms, delivered by MSCA National Contact Points/National Experts for Türkiye Tuğba Arslan Kantarcıoğlu, Burcu Bahar Göğüş Doğan, and Şeyma Sayımlar. The session emphasized the role of National Contact Points, EURAXESS, and the Marie Curie Alumni Association in supporting researchers and institutions throughout the application process.
The event concluded with a closing session and Q&A, reinforcing the importance of strategic engagement in MSCA calls and strengthening Türkiye’s participation in Horizon Europe.
Universities also play an important role in this ecosystem. Bilkent University, through its Technology Transfer Office, actively supports researchers in developing high-quality and competitive MSCA proposals. Its engagement in initiatives such as the IMS Club further contributes to strengthening proposal development capacity and fostering collaboration.
Building on the insights shared during the event, the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call is currently open, with a submission deadline of 9 September 2026. Offering significant funding opportunities for experienced researchers of all nationalities, the programme supports advanced research and international mobility. Researchers are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals early and to make use of national support mechanisms and institutional guidance to maximise their chances of success.