Meeting of minds on EU researcher mobility An EU-funded project has organised an international conference on Marie Curie Actions being pursued in Cyprus. Successful research depends on both the mobility and training of researchers. Industrial Technologies © Stewe Bekk Marie Curie Actions is a research fellowship programme through which European grants are available to enable researchers to gain experience abroad. Through the scheme, scientists can complete their training as well as complement their skills and develop their careers. The aim of the 'Marie Curie Actions in Horizon 2020: Regional and international impact' (MC2020) project, funded by the EU, was to take stock of the European research training potential of this programme. The project's goal was to plan, manage and implement a two-day conference on the subject. Additionally, the conference set out to evaluate the importance of international, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation. In addition, it aimed to provide a suitable forum for discussing the future challenges of mobility actions under Horizon 2020. Following consultations with stakeholders, the MC2020 project developed the agenda of the conference, which took place in Nicosia, Cyprus and attracted about 300 participants. Although its main aim was to discuss European funding for researcher mobility, training and career development, regional challenges were also debated. By examining the past outcomes of the Marie Curie Actions, the MC2020 project conference was able to agree on future improvements to the programme. It also provided new opportunities for conference delegates to contribute to shaping the European research landscape. Researchers at the conference supported a simplified approach for future Marie Curie Actions and a further reduction of the administrative burden involved. These and other conference conclusions will be considered in the design of future mobility programmes in the next European Framework Programme for research and innovation.
