Added value of MSCA doctorates: A mixed-methods study

This study presents the first comprehensive and robust assessment of the added value of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral programmes funded under the Innovative Training Networks (ITN) and Doctoral Networks (DN) calls, relative to non-MSCA doctoral programmes. Drawing on a mixed-methods design combining a literature review, qualitative interviews, and a large-scale quantitative survey involving principal investigators, supervisors, and doctoral researchers (current and graduates), the study evaluates the added value and impact of MSCA ITN and DN across six core dimensions: triple “i” mobility (international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary), training, supervision, social innovation and working conditions, career development and networking, and structuring effects on European doctoral education. Findings demonstrate that MSCA Doctoral programmes deliver a significantly higher and more integrated triple “i” mobility experience compared to non-MSCA. 90% of MSCA fellows collaborate internationally, and 88% demonstrate intersectoral mobility across academic and non-academic sectors (around three times the rate of non-MSCA fellows), broadening career trajectories beyond academia. Interdisciplinary training further enables well-rounded skill acquisition across fields. MSCA fellows report substantially higher satisfaction with transferable skills development, particularly in networking, public speaking, teamwork, and intersectoral knowledge transfer. Supervision quality is also markedly stronger, with higher rates of multidisciplinary supervisory teams and formalised supervision agreements supporting research excellence and doctoral progression. Working conditions further reinforce these outcomes, with MSCA fellows reporting greater satisfaction with their salary and MSCA supervisors expressing greater satisfaction with budgets for research, training, and mobility. Career impact is stronger as well, with 92% of MSCA fellows securing employment within one year of graduation, and one third transitioning successfully beyond academia, 3.5 times the rate among non-MSCA graduates. At the systemic level, MSCA ITN and DN programmes generate lasting structuring effects, strengthening doctoral training and research frameworks across Europe. The study recommends increasing programme visibility, raising funding levels, extending programme duration, and pursuing administrative simplification to maximise long-term impact and advance alignment with doctoral education across the European Education Area and European Research Area.