Roundtable on MSCA Participation

We are pleased to invite you to attend the Roundtable on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MCSA) Participation, taking place on 25 November 2024, from 09:00 to 12:45, at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Stellenbosch University. This event will be an invaluable opportunity for institutions and researchers aiming to strengthen South African participation in MSCA and Horizon Europe programmes.

Event Overview

This roundtable will showcase Stellenbosch University’s strategic approach to fostering successful MSCA participation. Through experience sharing and discussions led by Stellenbosch MSCA Fellows and research development experts, attendees will gain insights and practical tools to enhance MSCA engagement within their own institutions.

The roundtable aims to:

• Engage Key Stakeholders: Representatives from Stellenbosch University’s Research Development Office, MSCA Fellows, the MSCA National Contact Point, DSI colleagues, MSCAdvocacy, and regional universities will share insights, with a livestream available for remote participants.
• Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Stellenbosch MSCA Fellows will share their journey, challenges, and achievements in the MSCA programme.
• Promote Alignment with National Priorities: Discussions will align MSCA activities with South Africa’s research and innovation goals, as guided by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).

Key Topics

The roundtable will explore:

• Best practices and support systems for MSCA participation developed by Stellenbosch University
• Replication strategies for other South African institutions
• Opportunities for collaboration within the MSCA and HEU frameworks
• Synergies within South Africa’s higher education system to strengthen MSCA engagement

Agenda

09:00 | Session 1: MSCA Fellows Experience Sharing (Hybrid)

• Welcome remarks by Stellenbosch University, MSCAdvocacy, and the MSCA National Contact Point (DSI)
• Presentations by Prof. Florian Bauer and Prof. Marina Joubert on their MSCA journeys, challenges, and successes
• Q&A and panel discussion with insights from additional stakeholders

11:15 | Coffee Break and Networking

11:45 | Session 2: EU Funding Opportunities and Proposal Writing (In-person for Stellenbosch University participants only)

• MSCAdvocacy presentation on EU funding opportunities, with a focus on MSCA and Horizon Europe, including proposal writing strategies
• Q&A on EU funding

12:45 | Lunch

This roundtable is an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of MSCA participation and to connect with peers and experts committed to advancing South Africa’s presence in the Horizon Europe ecosystem.

We hope you can join us for this engaging event. Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues who may be interested.

➔ How to Register

Please email lizelk@sun.ac.za if you wish to attend indicating which of the three sessions (if not all) you will be attending.