Women from all over the world studying nuclear-related subjects are encouraged to apply for the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP), with applications opening from today until 30 September 2022. MSCFP scholarships will be awarded to 150 selected students this year.
Since its launch in 2020, the MSCFP has helped 210 women from 93 countries with scholarships to study towards a Master’s degree in nuclear-related subjects. To date, 49 students have already completed their studies and most have embarked on an internship opportunity facilitated by the IAEA or have continued on to PhD studies or professional careers.
The MSCFP aims to help increase 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. Named after pioneer physicist and twice Nobel Prize laureate Marie Sklodowska-Curie, the programme aims to inspire and encourage young women to pursue a career in the nuclear field by providing scholarships for Master’s programmes and the opportunity to pursue an internship facilitated by the IAEA. IAEA member countries, inter-governmental and governmental organizations and private sector partners have supported the programme with financial and in-kind contributions.
Post-graduate studies can be a costly and time-consuming venture. Members of the inaugural MSCFP class say the programme provided them with the financial freedom and security to complete their Master’s studies in a timely manner.
“The scholarship significantly mitigated my burden and stress by providing me with immediate financial aid,” said Greek national Stamatina Alexandropoulou, who obtained a Master’s degree in nuclear physics from the University of York in the United Kingdom and is now a first-year PhD student at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London. “Having secured funding for my postgraduate studies, I was able to completely dedicate my time to my research project without any distractions from financial uncertainty and challenges.”
Other MSCFP scholars have moved straight into the working world.
Venezuelan Cindy Bello, who earned a Master’s degree in nuclear safety from Spain’s Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) thanks in part to help from the MSCFP, has now launched her career as a nuclear engineer for fusion projects and Generation IV reactors at IDOM, a Spanish company. “It would have taken more time to complete my Master’s degree without this programme, because the economic factor for the accommodation and enrolment always is the first obstacle to overcome,” said Bello.
The MSCFP is also helping to give scholars the time and peace of mind to explore the full range of opportunities available in the nuclear field. “By the end of my Master's degree, I had a good idea of the different job opportunities in the nuclear field and could decide what I wanted for my future,” said Anastasiia Sakhatska. “I had a good enough resume to then get several job offers and a PhD opportunity,” added the Ukrainian national, who will soon begin PhD studies in nuclear physics at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.
To help bring the MSCFP community closer, linking past and present graduates, the IAEA today also launched the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) Students and Alumni LinkedIn Group. The group will support MSCFP students and alumni with educational and professional development, and foster collaboration among them. MSCFP students will have the opportunity to connect with their peers, exchange knowledge and experiences and have access to information on programmes and events that can benefit their personal and professional development.
To learn more about the MSCFP programme—including application information, student testimonials and donor information— click here.
