Integrative MSCA Achievements and Networks for Unified Strategies (IANUS)

The EU project IANUS supports the further development of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EU's central funding programme for doctoral students and postdocs within Horizon Europe. With a budget of €6.6 billion, the MSCA strengthen excellent research, international mobility and cooperation between science, industry and society. IANUS supports the optimal use of these investments and develops concrete recommendations for future programme adjustments.

The IANUS project focuses on three areas: improving training and skills for researchers, intensifying cross-sectoral cooperation, and strengthening the MSCA's contribution to the EU missions Cancer and Smart Cities. In order to develop well-founded recommendations, IANUS takes a comprehensive analytical approach. The starting point is a detailed portfolio analysis of all MSCA projects funded since 2014. It shows how research topics have developed, which trends are emerging and where there are links to EU missions. Building on this, the project conducts surveys and case studies that identify good practices, obstacles and success factors.

A simulation-based model then illustrates how possible programme changes could impact. The results are discussed in workshops with MSCA beneficiaries, alumni, and representatives from academia, industry, and politics. In this way, IANUS ensures that the recommendations are practical and incorporate the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders.

As a project partner, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum is responsible for communication, dissemination and exploitation of the results as well as the development of policy recommendations. Through targeted stakeholder involvement, SEZ contributes to ensuring that the findings from IANUS are visible and incorporated into the further development of the MSCA in the long term.

Further information:

• Project name: IANUS - Integrative MSCA Achievements and Networks for Unified Strategies
• Funding: European Commission, Horizon Europe (Project Number 101202110)
• Total funding budget for all project partners: EUR 1,8 million
• Participating countries: Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Norway
• Project duration: 04/2025 – 03/2028