How the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions transformed research careers over 30 years

For three decades, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowships have helped shape the careers of thousands of researchers across Europe and beyond.

Originally created to support scientific excellence through international mobility, the European Union's flagship fellowship programme has evolved into one of the world's most influential research talent networks.

Today, MSCA alumni aren't just leading laboratories—they're founding startups, shaping public policy, building AI companies, and driving innovation across industry.

As the programme celebrates its 30th anniversary, Cate Lawrence sat down with Dr Ornela Bardhi, Head of Data Science at Success Clinic Oy, Marie Curie alumna, and Board Member of the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), to discuss how research careers are changing.

Drawing on an international career spanning artificial intelligence, healthcare, entrepreneurship and government —including advising Albania's Minister of Health and co-founding two startups — Ornela shares what it means to be a researcher in 2026.