In 2026, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) celebrate 30 years of supporting researchers, fostering international collaboration and advancing scientific innovation. As part of this European research community, HEAL4WARD is contributing to the next generation of scientific talent by bringing together 11 Doctoral Candidates to tackle challenges in wound infection diagnosis and treatment.
Three decades of empowering researchers
Since their establishment in 1996, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions have become one of the European Union’s leading programmes for doctoral education, researcher training and career development. Over the past 30 years, MSCA have supported more than 150,000 researchers across disciplines, sectors and countries, helping them develop their scientific expertise, build international networks and pursue research careers.
Under the anniversary theme “Curiosity that changes the world”, the European Commission is celebrating the people, discoveries and collaborations that have shaped the programme. Beyond funding scientific research, MSCA encourage researchers to cross disciplinary and geographical boundaries, acquire transferable skills and contribute to addressing societal challenges.
These principles are at the heart of HEAL4WARD, our Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network launched in March 2026.
HEAL4WARD: Advancing research and training in wound care
HEAL4WARD brings together an international and interdisciplinary consortium of 19 organisations from academia, research, healthcare and industry. Over four years, the project will train 11 Doctoral Candidates to develop innovative approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of wound infections.
Wound infections remain a significant healthcare challenge, particularly when bacteria form protective biofilms that make infections difficult to treat. By combining expertise in nanomaterials, antimicrobial chemistry, 3D printing, advanced sensing technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), HEAL4WARD aims to develop smart microneedle wound patches capable of detecting infection-related biomarkers and delivering targeted antimicrobial treatment.
The research programme demonstrates how collaboration across scientific disciplines can support the development of next-generation healthcare technologies while equipping young researchers with the skills needed to address complex medical challenges.
Supporting the next generation through international supervision
A central element of the MSCA approach is the opportunity for Doctoral Candidates to learn from experienced researchers across institutions, disciplines and sectors.
In HEAL4WARD, an international team of supervisors brings together expertise in polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, biomaterials, microbiology, infectious diseases, advanced sensing and related fields. They guide the individual doctoral research projects, support scientific development and encourage collaboration across the network.
Through close supervision, interdisciplinary exchanges and collaboration with academic and industrial partners, the Doctoral Candidates will gain experience extending beyond their individual research areas. The network also provides opportunities for international secondments, specialised training and transferable skills development, including science communication, entrepreneurship and research management.
These experiences reflect a core ambition of MSCA: preparing researchers not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to pursue diverse careers and contribute to innovation across sectors.
Welcoming HEAL4WARD’s Doctoral Candidates
As MSCA celebrates its 30th anniversary, HEAL4WARD is taking important steps towards establishing its own community of early-career researchers.
The network’s recruitment and onboarding activities are progressing, with several Doctoral Candidates already having joined their host institutions and others completing the recruitment and onboarding process. Each DC will undertake a dedicated research project contributing to HEAL4WARD’s overall objectives, from developing antimicrobial materials and wound-healing scaffolds to investigating biofilms, infection diagnostics and AI-supported treatment strategies.
Looking ahead: Continuing the MSCA legacy
The 30th anniversary of MSCA is both a celebration of past achievements and an opportunity to look towards the future of European research.
For HEAL4WARD, this milestone highlights the importance of investing in young researchers, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and connecting scientific training with real-world healthcare needs.
Over the coming years, the network will provide its Doctoral Candidates with opportunities to develop scientific expertise, exchange knowledge internationally and contribute to research addressing wound infections and antimicrobial resistance.
As MSCA marks 30 years of curiosity-driven research, HEA-4WARD is proud to contribute to its next chapter by supporting a new generation of researchers working towards innovative solutions for wound care.
Learn more about the anniversary through the official MSCA 30th-anniversary website.