IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Program fellows and Lise Meitner Program participants at a 2024 event. (Photo: IAEA)
The application period for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Program (MSCFP) has opened. Women interested in studying nuclear-related subjects at the master’s degree level should apply by October 31, 2025.
More information on how to apply can be found here.
Numbers: Named after physicist and two-time Nobel laureate Marie Sklodowska-Curie, the MSCFP offers support to women from all IAEA member countries. The program has received about 3,100 applications since its inception in 2020 and, to date, it has supported 760 women from 129 countries studying a range of nuclear topics in 76 countries around the world.
The MSCFP is open only to applicants who wish to pursue master’s studies in nuclear-related disciplines. Most women chosen for the program are pursuing master’s degrees in either nuclear science and its applications (which includes health care) or nuclear energy, with others focusing on nuclear safety, nuclear security, safeguards and nonproliferation and nuclear law.
Early- and mid-career women interested in career development opportunities can apply instead to the Lise Meitner Program.
“The MSCFP was a turning point in my career,” said Gabryele Moreira, an MSCFP fellow from Brazil. “I gained international work experience and expanded my expertise in radiopharmacy and radiotherapy. Through my MSCFP internship at the Camargo Cancer Center, I supported the development of new applicators for brachytherapy, resulting in a direct impact on reducing health disparities in Brazil.”
Support and placement: According to the IAEA, the MSCFP empowers women to pursue degrees of their choosing by “easing the financial burden of their studies” and providing the opportunity to pursue internships at the IAEA or with partner organizations like IAEA Collaborating Centers. The fellows also have networking opportunities at IAEA schools and technical events and through a private alumnae LinkedIn group.
The IAEA further noted that on completion of the academic and internship components of the fellowship, some alumnae choose to pursue further academic research through Ph.D. studies while others transition directly into their professional careers, applying their knowledge and skills in different areas of the nuclear field.
“The MSCFP has broadened my global perspective, enhanced my technical and leadership skills and positioned me for continued growth in the nuclear sector,” said Itfa Khurshid, an MSCFP fellow from Pakistan currently interning at the IAEA. “The program has been instrumental in supporting my master’s degree and has provided invaluable exposure through my current role in the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security, where I support communications and outreach activities."
