28.03.2024
MSCAdvocacy joined the annual International Conference on Education Quality (ICEQ) at the University of Ibn Zohr in Agadir, Morocco. Aim of the mission was to discuss and explore opportunities and challenges of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) with various stakeholders including the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Erasmus+ and COST representatives. MSCA and Horizon Europe National Contact Points (NCPs), the PRIMA National Contact Point, EURAXESS Africa, as well as university students and representatives also joined the talks.
Paul Macallan | Unsplash Moroccan researchers highly interested in MSCA
The Horizon Europe Info Day and EURAXESS Africa Workshop on the first day of the ICEQ back in October 2023 provided good opportunities for an open dialogue between MSCAdvocacy and more than 50 researchers from various Moroccan universities. The attendees, including students and representatives, demonstrated a high interest in the MSCA. However, the discussions also highlighted the necessity for more practical guidance on how to apply to the MSCA and navigate the administrative process effectively.
Moroccan private sector underexploits MSCA opportunities
Currently, only 14 % of Moroccan organisations participating in MSCA are from the non-academic sector. The discussions underscored this point, emphasising that the Moroccan private sector is missing out on potential opportunities offered by MSCA. Here, the MSCAdvocacy team was able to give advice to participants and make them aware of valuable information sources, that are again presented below.
Useful links
For more information on Morocco-EU science, technology and innovation programmes and how to apply for MSCA grants, please visit:
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions website
Africa Chapter of the Marie Curie Alumni Association
Teaser Image: Paul Macallan, Unsplash
Participants of the Horizon Europe Info Day at the International Conference on Education Quality at the University of Ibn Zohr in Agadir, Morocco © EURAXESS Africa
Project partners
