Fresh from being moved from DG Research to DG Education and Culture at the end of 2009 (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, December 2009), the Marie Curie fellowship grants are registering a record number of applications, according to the European Commission. Nearly 5 000 researchers have applied for grants this year, an increase of 20% over last year and a 70% increase when compared to 2008 figures. Around 800 fellowships worth a total of EUR 150 million will be granted to researchers working on projects of up to three years in another country. In total, over 15 000 researchers have received Marie Curie individual fellowships since their introduction in 1990. For the first time, a funding category is available for researchers who want to restart their career after a break.

It remains to be seen whether these numbers will be further boosted under the influence of the strong mobility agenda of DG Education and Culture. Indeed, the Marie Curie Actions are expected to play a significant role in the newly launched Youth on the Move Programme.

European Commission (Press release)