European Commission to award €16.3m to 49 projects connecting researchers with EU citizens

The European Commission announced on 09/03/2026 that it is providing €16.3 million to fund 49 projects to connect researchers with the wider public to celebrate the achievements of science across Europe.

Through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the Commission will fund projects from 40 countries that organise two successive editions of the European Researchers’ Night in 2026 and 2027 and the implementation of activities as part of the "Researchers at Schools" initiative activities over two years.

The European Research Executive Agency (REA) received 234 applications considered eligible for "MSCA and Citizens" call. This year, the call had a success rate of 20.3%. Eight projects are on the reserve list and may be contacted after the aforementioned date if funding is still available.

The first projects will start at the earliest in spring 2026. The next MSCA and Citizens call will open on 09/03/2027.

European Researchers’ Night is the largest science engagement event in Europe, held annually on the last Friday of September. It is complemented by Researchers at Schools, which…