Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) impact analysis

The Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) action is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under Horizon 2020 (2014-2020), the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation. The MSCA contribute to both excellent science and boosting of scientific careers. RISE supported about 35 000 out of the 65 000 researchers funded by the MSCA under Horizon 2020, contributing to the development of the European Research Area [1]. The transition from Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe programme is a convenient time to look back and reflect on the unique contribution of the action with our available data. The report is based on the project results from 2014 throughout the whole Horizon 2020. Furthermore, the analysis aims at verifying whether the current methodology and benchmarks are sufficient to understand the specific impact of RISE funding on research performance and careers. The report is a compilation of both qualitative information - along with findings derived from data gathering - and quantitative analysis from several robust data sources (see Section 2, Step 3 below). The report is presented in the form of a scientific style document (e.g. methods, results, discussion, conclusions) and has a presentation of the data analysis and considerations for future work. The report conclusions can be used for promotion of RISE’s successor action under Horizon Europe, namely MSCA Staff Exchanges. The consolidated results of the report are also intended for possible follow-up actions involving stakeholders such as: interested policy DGs, MSCA Alumni Association, Programme Committee, National Contact Points, R&I community (e.g., scientific societies, universities, industrial partner communities) through outreach and promotion events.