Marie Curie Actions

Marie Sklodowska Curie (November 7, 1867 - July 4, 1934) was a physicist and chemist with a Polish upbringing and, subsequently, a French citizenship. She was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity, creating a theory of radioactivity and discovering two new elements, polonium and radium. Under her supervision, the world’s first studies involving the use of radioactive isotopes in the treatment of cancer were conducted. One of only 2 people to ever achieve such an honor, Marie Curie earned two Nobel Prizes in two different fields, physics and chemistry. She was also the first woman to serve as a professor at the University Sorbonne of Paris.

The "Marie Curie Actions" of the European Union is just one of the numerous programs, initiatives and support measure offered at the international EU level, helping to fulfill the EUs Lisbon Strategy to become the "most dynamic competitive knowledge-based economy in the world". The new Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bundles all research-related initiatives together and plays a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment within the EU. In addition, a new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), Education and Training programmes, and Structural and Cohesion Funds for regional convergence and competitiveness are offered under this framework. Accordingly, it is also a key pillar for the European Research Area (ERA).

The "Marie Curie Actions" have long been one of the most popular and appreciated features of the Community Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development. They have developed significantly in orientation over time, from a pure mobility fellowships program to a program dedicated to stimulating researchers' career development. The 'Marie Curie Actions' have been particularly successful in responding to the needs of Europe's scientific community in terms of training, mobility and career development.

With the introduction of FP7, the "Marie Curie Actions" have changed their focus to 'People'. Acknowledging that one of the main competitive edges in science and technology is the quantity and quality of its human resources the goal of the program is to support the further development and consolidation of ERA, making Europe more attractive for the best researchers. To this end, five different types of programs are now being offered under the headings:

• Initial Training
• Life-Long Training and Career Development
• Industry Academia
• International Development (World Fellows)
• Specific Actions

For more information concerning the Marie Curie Actions or its various programs, please visit the Cordis website at http://cordis.europa.eu/home_en.html.