5 reasons (+1) to choose a ‘Marie Curie’ at Ca’ Foscari. Infoday: 9 April

A ‘Marie Curie’ can change your life. Each year, over 17,000 researchers worldwide submit proposals for research and training at a European university or for a two-year placement elsewhere before returning to Europe. Ca’ Foscari is one of the most popular host institutions in Europe and has the largest Italian alumni community of this ‘Erasmus’-like programme for research.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships call opens on 9 April and closes on 9 September 2026. All information is available at www.unive.it/mariecurie. To learn more, register for this event on 9 April: Ca’ Foscari Infoday on the Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships call.

Why do so many people choose Ca’ Foscari? Here are five excellent reasons plus one to aim for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship with Ca’ Foscari.

1. Among Europe’s leaders

Ca’ Foscari stands out as the leading Italian university in Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships awarded. It regularly ranks in the top 10 across Europe. In the latest call, the University obtained 19 fellowships, demonstrating its success in attracting international talent: numbers clearly show the level of Ca’ Foscari’s success.

2. Stairway to Heaven

The comprehensive experience gained from a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship motivates researchers and naturally fosters new research ideas for even more ambitious calls, such as ERC grants. At Ca’ Foscari, the community of ERC grantees is steadily expanding, now surpassing 30 members, and their stories highlight the vital role of the Marie Curie experience in shaping individual career trajectories. Professors Valentina Bonifacio, Sabrina Marchetti, and Enrica De Cian have all received Marie Curie fellowships, and many ERC grantees now serve as Marie Curie supervisors. These fellowships thus provide a crucial opportunity to access increasingly competitive funding.

3. Opportunities for tenure-track positions and international careers

Ca’ Foscari was the first university to appoint a researcher specifically based on winning a Marie Curie fellowship: a 2015 ministerial decree allows for this possibility of ‘direct appointment’ for those who have completed a three-year project funded as a Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship. However, this is not the only case: several former fellows have successfully obtained permanent academic positions at Ca’ Foscari and other universities in Italy and internationally, thanks to their Marie Curie experience.

4. Dedicated training and support for ERC projects

Ca’ Foscari provides solid and structured support for researchers interested in applying for ERC grants. Marie Curie fellows can access targeted training and receive support from a dedicated office. This approach enhances the chances of securing ERC funding and developing an independent, high-profile academic career.

5. Never alone

The Ca’ Foscari community of Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows is among the largest in Italy, with 240 alumni. This wealth of experience, contacts, and expertise makes Ca’ Foscari an ideal environment for developing innovative and interdisciplinary projects. The University also promotes and supports the international Marie Curie Alumni Association network, which has recognised Ca’ Foscari for its commitment to researchers’ career development.
 

+1. First-class support

Ca’ Foscari provides a dedicated support team for applicants applying to first-level Marie Curie fellowships. Researchers receive guidance throughout the proposal stage to refine their applications and increase their chances of success — achieving record-breaking results. Meanwhile, the experience of academic staff serving as supervisors has steadily grown over the years.

Support continues even after the fellowship is awarded: Ca’ Foscari has obtained the Human Resources (HR) Excellence in Research certification, which recognises the excellent working conditions of Ca’ Foscari’s research community and rewards initiatives that foster an attractive environment for top talent.

Ca’ Foscari University’s dedication to supporting individual funding has also been acknowledged by the European Commission. Our University is featured in the publication Success Stories from the Research Management Community, showcasing best practices and achievements in research support across Europe (“Research managers as agents of researchers’ career development at the institutional level”).