The MSCA COFUND call co-finances existing or new doctoral and postdoctoral programmes for junior researchers who, in addition to research and educational excellence, must also demonstrate international mobility, interdisciplinarity and cooperation with the business sector.

From the 116 project proposals submitted to the European Executive Agency for the co-financing of regional, national and international programmes, 26 projects made it to the main list of programmes financed by EU funds. Among them is a programme offered by the University of Nova Gorica, which will be co-financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport also from European cohesion policy funds. 

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana and the National Institute of Chemistry were awarded the Seal of Excellence because they were just a few points short of being included on the main list. The Seal of Excellence was awarded to 21 MSCA COFUND project proposals that achieved an evaluation score of 85% or more in the evaluation process. Both Slovenian projects scored over 90%.

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana was awarded the Seal of Excellence for the post-doctoral programme “Surfaces and interfaces for sustainable green mobility”, and the National Institute of Chemistry for the doctoral programme “Excellent research training for chemical scientists for the future”.

The EU Seal of Excellence is proof of excellence of a research project proposal that was achieved in international competition with the highest scientific criteria. It enables research institutions and countries that acquire it to receive funding in accordance with their own needs and strategies, thereby increasing their research and innovation potential and international attractiveness. 

Slovenia is the first country to finance MSCA COFUND project proposals that were awarded the Seal of Excellence.

Additional information on the Horizon Europe call for Marie Sklodowska Curie COFUND projects is available in the European Commission’s announcement.