Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association Survey 2020: Results
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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association Survey 2020: Results
EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture Directorate C — EAC.C – Innovation, Digital Education and International Cooperation Unit C.2 – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions E-mail: EAC-MARIE-SKLODOWSKA-CURIE-ACTIONS@ec.europa.eu European Commission B-1049 Brussels The European Commission is not liable for any consequence stemming from the reuse of this publication. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2022 © European Union, 2022 Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The reuse policy of European Commission documents is regulated by Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). PDF ISBN 978-92-76-48760-9 doi: 10.2766/17173 NC-08-22-072-EN-N
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Actions/Marie Curie Alumni
Association Survey 2020:
Results
Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
2022 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions ENMarie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association
Survey 2020: Results
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 6
2. Results & findings ........................................................................................ 6
2.1. Respondents’ profile .................................................................................. 6
2.2. Doctoral and postdoctoral experience .......................................................... 7
2.3. Career after MSCA ..................................................................................... 8
2.4. MSCA projects and the European Green Deal ................................................ 9
3. Report recommendations.............................................................................10
4. Follow-up actions and novelties of the programme in 2021 ..............................11
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February 2022Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association
Survey 2020: Results
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni
Association Survey 2020: Results
1. Introduction
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)/Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA)
regularly sends surveys to current and former fellows and members of the alumni
association to collect further evidence on the reach and impact of the MSCA programme.
The last survey was launched over the summer 2020 to nearly 17 000 MCAA members.
Between July and September 2020, a total of over 2 000 respondents completed the
survey, for a total response rate of 12%.
The objectives of the survey were to provide further data on the profile of researchers
that benefitted, or are benefitting, from MSCA, and the impact of the programme. Based
on the collected evidence, the survey contributes to inform the development of the MSCA
and provide recommendations for potential improvements to better address the
researchers´ needs.
The 2020 Survey was divided into five sections: 1) demographic information and prior
education of the respondents; 2) feedback from respondents about their doctoral
experiences; 3) feedback from respondents about their post-doctoral experiences; 4)
feedback and information about the respondents first paid job after the PhD and their
current main job; and 5) the contribution of their MSCA project to the European Green
Deal objectives (either topic-wise or implementation-wise).
2. Results & findings
2.1. Respondents’ profile
The sample covers a wide range of fields of research under the programme’s eight
scientific panels as well as a wide range of MSCA actions, under all framework
programmes since the first Marie Curie actions in 1996. Horizon 2020 fellows however
represent the majority of respondents while individual fellowships actions under different
framework programmes represent 1/3rd of the total sample. Overall, 101 different
nationalities are represented in the survey, with the five most represented being Italy
(20%), Spain (13%), Germany (7%), France (6%) and India (5%). The survey’s top 5
nationalities reflect the participation figures of the programme under Horizon 2020.
Among the survey respondents, 34% were doctoral candidates funded by MSCA while the
remaining 66% were funded as postdoctoral researchers or further on in their research
career. Following the European Framework for Research Career classification1,
respondents were mostly recognised researchers (32%), followed by established
researchers (25%), first stage researcher (24%). Leading researchers represented 11%
of respondents. The other 8% were no longer in a research career.
1
See https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/europe/career-development/training-researchers/research-profiles-
descriptors
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February 2022Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association
Survey 2020: Results
Main nationalities of respondents (i.e. citizenship/passport holder, etc.)
Country n % Country n % Country n %
Italy 400 20% Poland 51 3% Canada 26 1%
Spain 262 13% Argentina 47 2% Iran 25 1%
Germany 140 7% Brazil 39 2% Hungary 24 1%
France 113 6% Netherlands 39 2% Austria 23 1%
India 94 5% Ireland 36 2% Bulgaria 21 1%
Portugal 89 4% Romania 32 2% Serbia 21 1%
Greece 85 3% Croatia 31 2% Mexico 21 1%
United States 56 3% Sweden 28 1% Russia 21 1%
United Kingdom 56 3% Belgium 27 1% Israel 19 1%
China 52 3% Turkey 26 1% Czech Republic 18 1%
International mobility is common among MSCA fellows and alumni, including before the
fellowship. Among key figures from the survey:
- 76% of respondents moved at least twice in their career, including 13% moving at
least five times.
- 63% were considering moving abroad again, mostly to pursue their academic
career (53%) while 14% considered moving back to their home country.
There is evidence that MSCA fellows and alumni were already mobile before the
fellowship, with 58% of them having already worked or studied abroad before their PhD,
including international work experience (28%), Erasmus exchange (21%) or completion
of a degree in another country than their home country (20%).
The main countries where MSCA fellows and alumni have worked include the United
Kingdom (12%), Germany (10%), Spain, Italy, USA, France (8% each).
Main countries where MSCA fellows have worked during their career
Country n % Country n %
United Kingdom 720 12% Ireland 140 2%
Germany 587 10% Portugal 140 2%
Spain 478 8% Denmark 120 2%
Italy 473 8% Austria 111 2%
United States 459 8% Greece 92 2%
France 438 8% Australia 86 1%
Netherlands 254 4% Canada 86 1%
Belgium 176 3% Poland 68 1%
Switzerland 175 3% Brazil 59 1%
Sweden 156 3% China 56 1%
2.2. Doctoral and postdoctoral experience
The doctoral and postdoctoral experience was assessed based on a combination of Likert
scale questions - measuring the satisfaction of fellows and alumni with the quality of the
supervision received, resources available, the research culture in their organisation and
professional development during their projects - and open-ended questions. The latter
invited them to identify challenges and barriers they have faced to pursue their desired
career and possible improvements to better prepare them for the next steps.
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February 2022Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association
Survey 2020: Results
The majority of respondents were positive about all aspects measured through the Likert
scales. Satisfaction was particularly high for the resources available during their project,
with 75% agreeing or strongly agreeing with all statements on access to necessary
material and resources, provisions of adequate research facilities and financial support
during their doctoral degree.
Over 75% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they had developed all following
skills during their PhD and postdoc experience:
- Project management (78% at PhD level; 80% at postdoctoral level)
- Communication skills (81% at PhD level; 78% at postdoctoral level)
- Professional networking (79% at PhD level; 76% at postdoctoral level)
- Career management (80% at both PhD and postdoctoral level)
The open-ended questions identified common barriers at both PhD and postdoctoral
level. The main issues pointed out by respondents were the lack of available positions
after their MSCA experience, leading to extreme competitiveness. The strong pressure to
publish was also a recurrent concern, while the lack of a good network of contacts was
often mentioned as a key obstacle, especially at PhD level. Several respondents
suggested that having the opportunity to participate in more organised meetings with
industry, extracurricular activities and a more direct involvement of the
supervisor/external advisor on career development would be beneficial. For postdoctoral
researchers, the relationship with the supervisor was most frequently identified as an
area to be improved, followed by opportunities for networking. However, respondents
tended to agree that the MSCA fellowship has contributed to facilitate access to training
outside academia and provided some opportunities for networking, opening doors for
future career development.
2.3. Career after MSCA
Respondents were asked to assess the impact of the programme on their career
development and progression. They were nearly 60% to consider their MSCA experience
as very useful for their career development and progression, with another 22% rating it
as useful. As the questionnaire was sent to both alumni and current fellows, nearly 15%
of respondents did not yet know the impact on their career development and
progression.
The large majority of respondents were still employed in Europe at the time of the
survey. Nearly 70% of respondents were in EU Member States. Outside the EU, the main
countries where respondents lived were the United Kingdom (12%), Switzerland, the
USA (3%), India and Norway (1%).
Most of them worked in academia and the higher education sector (74%), with 7%
working in industry, 6% in the public sector/government and 3% in the private
sector/business. Respondents worked in different scientific fields, with the highest share
being in biological sciences (24%), chemistry (10%) and physics (9%). At the time of the
survey, 33% of respondents had tenure track or permanent contracts, 33% had fixed-
term contracts of up to two years and 24% longer fixed-term contracts. Concerning the
annual salary, nearly 60% of respondents earned more than €35 000 (before taxes),
with a peak of 18% earning between €40 000 - €50 000.
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February 2022Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association
Survey 2020: Results
Sector of main professional activity at the
time of the survey
(based on 1564 responses)
74.30%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
6.97% 6.20% 8.44%
10% 3.45% 0.64%
0%
In comparison with the previous survey conducted in 2017, the share of fellows and
alumni considering employment opportunities outside academia increased in 2020. When
asked in which sectors, fellows and alumni were looking for in their job search, academia
and the higher education sector represented 68% of all responses in 2017 compared to
57%, in 2020. In particular, in 2020, 37% of all respondents were considering
opportunities in industry and 21% in the private sector/business, among other sectors.
2.4. MSCA projects and the European Green Deal
A total of 1 554 respondents answered the final section of the questionnaire related to
MSCA and the European Green Deal. A large share of respondents (28%) considered that
their research projects addressed at least one objective of the European Green Deal.
However, overall, the survey has tended to reveal a lack of awareness regarding the
objectives of the European Green Deal and, more broadly, on measures and policies to
reduce the environmental impact. Less than 50% of respondents were aware of the
objectives of the European Green Deal. While nearly 50% of respondents confirmed that
their institution had a sustainable strategy or a green policy, over 33% did not know
whether such policy was in place. Respondents were 41% to acknowledge that their
project did not take any particular measure to reduce its environmental impact or
promote sustainable actions, while 23% did not know whether such measures were
taken.
Among those who answered positively about measures being taken to reduce the
environmental impact of their projects, the key measures identified were “recycling and
reducing waste (e.g. of consumables)” followed by the use of “digital tools as a
complement to physical mobility (e.g. for training or conferences)” and the preference for
“more sustainable transportation means”. The motivation to implement those measures
was mainly driven by “top-down support from hierarchy”, followed by “financial support”.
By contrast, “lack of knowledge and information” and “No institutional or hierarchical
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February 2022Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association
Survey 2020: Results
support” were the main reasons expressed by respondents for not implementing such
measures.
Finally, respondents were asked to identify potential measures to make MSCA ‘greener’
in the future. Most answers referred to the need for “more guidance from the European
Commission on how to ‘green’ the projects” and “More communication and promotion of
best practice examples”. Nearly 27% identified the need for a “MSCA Green Charter
outlining a set of principles to which all MSCA beneficiaries and researchers are
encouraged to adhere”.
Proposals to make the MSCA greener in the future
(based on 1541 responses)
70%
58.14%
60%
50.62% 48.54%
50% 44.58%
39.33%
40%
30% 27.06% 26.93%
20%
10%
0%
More guidance More Digital tools as Incentives to MSCA Green A “green” An MSCA
from the communication a complement use more Awards for evaluation Green Charter
European and promotion to physical sustainable outstanding criteria at outlining a set
Commission on of best practice mobility (e.g. transportation projects selection stage of principles to
how to “green” examples for training or means which all MSCA
your project conferences) beneficiaries
and
researchers are
encouraged to
adhere
3. Report recommendations
The overall results of the survey highlight the satisfaction of respondent with their MSCA
experience and the benefits they identify with taking part in the programme. In
particular, the respondents gave very positive feedback on the impact of the fellowship
on their professional careers, through the development of their skills and by providing
the opportunity to start an international career. The following comment reflect the main
benefits identified by respondents: “MSCA is doing a tremendous job in providing such a
prestigious platform for students and researchers to conduct independent research and
widen their skills and network.”
The survey emphasized the importance of the support provided before and during the
fellowship, particularly by the supervisor, and its impact on the overall MSCA experience
and the career development of the fellows. It also recognised the importance of offering
diverse and broad opportunities for networking and international, interdisciplinary and
intersectoral experiences to better equip researchers for the next steps in their career.
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February 2022Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/Marie Curie Alumni Association
Survey 2020: Results
4. Follow-up actions and novelties of the programme in 2021
Under Horizon Europe, the MSCA has put a particular emphasis on intersectoral mobility
and the international dimension of the programme. They provide notably new
opportunities for fellows to work with and within the non-academic sector and at the
international level to further develop their networks, experience and transversal skills.
Novelties in 2021 include the new MSCA Guidelines on supervision2 which provide a set of
recommendations for individuals and institutions that receive MSCA funding. The MSCA
Guidelines on Supervision serve as a reference to ensure that researchers receive
adequate supervision throughout the duration of their research project. All participants
are expected to adhere to these guidelines on a best-effort basis, taking into account
differing situations, disciplines, levels of experience and training of researchers. The
MSCA guidelines complement other initiatives and codes of practice, which exist at
institutional level.
Reflecting feedback provided by respondents, the MSCA has also produced in 2021 the
MSCA Green Charter3. The Charter is a code of good practice for individuals and
institutions who are in receipt of MSCA funding. All participants are expected to adhere to
the Green Charter on a best-effort basis and to commit to as many of its provisions as
possible during the implementation of their projects.
Under Horizon Europe, the MSCA will continue to gather evidence and feedback from
current and former fellows on their experience and the benefits of the programme
through various instruments, including post-fellowship surveys and through the MCAA
community.
2
See https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/about-msca/msca-guidelines-on-supervision
3
See https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/green-charter
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