On September 22, 2020, a webinar of the regional network STAR-NET dedicated to the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme was held. The webinar was attended by about 40 representatives of STAR-NET and IAEA member universities.

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) aims to help grow the number of women in the nuclear field, supporting an inclusive workforce of both men and women who contribute to and drive global scientific and technological innovation.

The programme was presented by the IAEA MSCFP Manager Elena Zhivitskaya. She pointed out that named after pioneer physicist and Nobel Prize laureate Marie Sklodowska-Curie, the Programme aims to inspire and encourage young women to pursue a career in nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security, or non-proliferation, by providing highly motivated and talented female students scholarships for Master’s programmes and an opportunity to pursue IAEA internships. The Programme was launched by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in March 2020 and has so far received pledges totalling over €1.5 million in extrabudgetary funding.

Selected students receive a scholarship for up to 2 years for Master’s programmes in nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security, or non-proliferation studies at accredited universities. They are also provided with an opportunity to pursue an internship at the IAEA for up to 12 months.

Elena Zhivitskaya answered numerous questions from participants regarding the programme’s funding, application procedure, selection of participants, reporting, etc.

It was noted that within the framework of this Programme, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, a member of the regional network STAR-NET, will provide 10 scholarships to young women from other countries who will study for a Master’s degree at NRNU MEPhI in programmes related to the use of nuclear technologies.

The additional information is available on the IAEA website.