The European Commission is investing over €7.3 billion through its newly adopted Horizon Europe work programme for 2025 to strengthen Europe's research and innovation engine and global edge. This will drive cutting-edge science, accelerate the EU's green and digital transitions, and enhance Europe's competitiveness.

The programme will help attract and retain top researchers in Europe and offer targeted support to those affected by war and displacement. As part of these efforts, the Commission is updating the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) 2023-25 work programme part to offer more support for Ukrainian scientists and to launch a new MSCA ‘Choose Europe for Science' pilot, which will offer more support and opportunities for early-career researchers, including competitive allowances and longer contracts.

This pilot is part of a €500 million package for 2025–2027 and the wider ‘Choose Europe' initiative to make Europe a magnet for researchers, presented by President von der Leyen last week. The initiative focuses on three goals: keeping science free and open, investing in talent, and accelerating innovation in Europe.

Through the European Research Council (ERC), researchers relocating to Europe already receive a top-up beyond their grant, which has recently been doubled. Additionally, a new seven-year ‘super grants' under the ERC will offer long-term support for top talent.