Your MSCA Proposal Was Not Funded. The Work Is Not Lost.
An unfunded proposal can still contain valuable research, planning, host relationships, work packages, impact concepts and career assets.
Recover value instead of abandoning the project
The first step is to separate the proposal into reusable assets: research concept, evidence base, methodology, host network, implementation plan, impact logic, evaluation feedback and career-development material.
Resubmission
Review feedback, identify structural weaknesses and decide whether a revised MSCA route remains appropriate.
Alternative funding
Map European, national, regional, institutional and industry-supported routes around the same or adapted research concept.
Research outputs
Convert useful parts of the work into publications, project concepts, collaborations or demonstrators where appropriate.
Career routes
Use the proposal, host relationship and research profile for academic, industry, consulting or entrepreneurship pathways.
What to bring
- submitted proposal and annexes
- evaluation report and score
- current CV
- host and supervisor information
- current career objective and timing
Questions researchers often ask
What should happen after an MSCA proposal is not funded?
Separate scientific value from the funding decision, analyse the evaluation report, preserve the strongest proposal assets and decide whether to revise, redirect or reuse the research.
Can the proposal support another grant or research centre?
Yes. Work packages, methodology, impact logic and partnerships can be converted into alternative funding applications, publications, industry projects or the first programme of an independent research centre.
What is the role of the Seal of Excellence?
High-scoring eligible proposals may receive the MSCA Seal of Excellence, which can help researchers pursue alternative funding opportunities where such schemes are available.