As Europe works to strengthen its innovation economy, closer collaboration between businesses and research institutions is becoming increasingly important. Small and medium sized enterprises often possess the agility to commercialise new ideas but may lack access to advanced research infrastructure, international expertise, and highly skilled talent. Recognising this challenge, the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions programme has continued to bridge the gap between academia and industry, enabling thousands of companies to collaborate with leading researchers while accelerating innovation across multiple sectors.
Over the past five years, more than 2,000 small and medium sized enterprises have participated in projects funded through the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions programme, gaining access to international research networks, cutting edge scientific expertise, and highly qualified researchers.
The initiative forms part of the European Union’s long standing strategy to strengthen research collaboration between universities, research organisations, and private industry while supporting innovation across Europe.
Strengthening Industry and Research Collaboration
Since its launch in 1996, the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions programme has focused on supporting researchers throughout their careers while encouraging collaboration across academic and industrial sectors.
The involvement of private companies has steadily increased over the years, reflecting growing recognition of the role businesses play in translating research into real world innovation.
During the past five years alone, more than 4,300 businesses have taken part in programme supported projects, with small and medium sized enterprises accounting for more than half of participating companies.
Since the introduction of the Horizon 2020 framework in 2014, over €1 billion has been invested to support the participation of more than 8,500 private companies across more than 3,000 collaborative projects.
Expanding Opportunities for SMEs
The programme offers several funding mechanisms that enable companies to engage with leading researchers while reducing research and development costs.
Through Staff Exchanges, businesses can collaborate with universities and research organisations by enabling researchers and research support staff to work across countries, disciplines, and sectors, promoting knowledge transfer and international cooperation.
Companies can also participate through COFUND grants, which help cover the costs associated with recruiting, training, and developing researchers.
More recently, the Choose Europe for Science pilot has introduced additional opportunities for both academic institutions and private companies to recruit outstanding postdoctoral researchers into longer term positions, helping organisations retain highly skilled scientific talent beyond individual research projects.
International Networks Drive Innovation
International collaboration remains a defining feature of the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions programme.
Doctoral Networks require participation from organisations across at least three different countries, encouraging multinational research partnerships that combine academic excellence with industrial expertise.
Similarly, Postdoctoral Fellowships promote researcher mobility by encouraging scientists to gain international experience while contributing to research projects across Europe.
These international partnerships provide businesses with access to specialised knowledge, advanced technologies, and diverse perspectives while strengthening the capabilities of their own research and innovation teams.
Many researchers also choose to remain in Europe following their fellowships, further reinforcing the continent’s scientific and innovation ecosystem.
Supporting Real World Innovation
One example of this collaborative approach is the SERENADE Doctoral Network, coordinated by BSH Appliances in Spain.
The project brings together universities and industry partners from several European countries to train doctoral researchers working on technologies designed to reduce food waste.
Research activities focus on developing intelligent food containers equipped with sensors capable of monitoring freshness, alongside portable artificial intelligence powered food analysis devices that evaluate the freshness of unpackaged products.
Doctoral candidates divide their time between academic research and industrial placements, allowing scientific discoveries to be translated more rapidly into practical commercial applications.
Building Europe’s Innovation Future
As industries face increasingly complex technological and environmental challenges, collaboration between academia and business is becoming an essential driver of competitiveness.
The Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions programme continues to strengthen this connection by providing businesses with access to international talent, research excellence, and collaborative innovation opportunities.
By supporting researcher mobility, encouraging cross sector partnerships, and enabling companies to participate in large international research networks, the programme is helping create an environment where scientific discoveries can be transformed into practical solutions that benefit businesses, society, and Europe’s broader innovation economy.