The Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) are based on the principle of physical mobility: researchers who receive funding must move from one country to another to acquire new knowledge, skills and competences, and develop their research career. Researchers are also strongly encouraged to move between sectors and disciplines.
MSCA and the UK
The UK is an active participant in MSCA and has hosted many grant recipients from this sub-programme under Horizon 2020. During the UK’s non-association period with Horizon Europe, the UK continued to host researchers through the UKRI Guarantee. As of 1 January 2024, the UK can once again host MSCA researchers as EU beneficiaries.
If these recipients are non-UK nationals, they may need a visa to visit, study or work in the UK. The UK has several visa routes for researchers who wish to visit or do research in the UK.
The UK’s association to Horizon Europe
On 24 December 2020, the negotiations on the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded, confirming the UK’s intention to associate to Horizon Europe. As of 1 January 2024, the UK associated to the Horizon Europe programme, including full participation in all MSCA Actions (except for the EIC Fund).
This means that, from the 2024 Work Programmes and onwards, UK entities can participate in and coordinate Horizon Europe projects and receive funding directly from the European Commission as beneficiaries, with the same rights and obligations as EU Member States.
For MSCA, this means UK institutions are:
- eligible as a host for the European Fellowships
- eligible as an incoming host for Global Fellowships
- eligible as a host for secondments and non-academic placements
- not eligible as an outgoing host for Global Fellowships
UK participants who have received a UKRI grant under the Horizon Guarantee will remain on it for the lifetime of the project, subject to UKRI’s bespoke terms and conditions.
Visa options
This section gives information on potential visa options for researchers coming to the UK on MSCA schemes. Please note this gives general information on available visa routes into the UK and is not designed to give immigration advice to individuals. UKRO is not legally permitted to provide immigration advice on individual cases.
Visa options for researchers coming to the UK
Paying tax
UK universities and institutions can continue to hire overseas staff for MSCA actions or send staff abroad as part of MSCA actions under the same legislation as in previous years. To work out what is best for you and your organisation, the following information is available:
- Statutory Residence Test used to determine whether a person is a UK tax resident or not.
- Guidance on tax if you leave the UK to live abroad.
There is also a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) customer helpline for those living abroad, or intending to live abroad, and who have queries about UK tax issues. Telephone: 03000 533 148. Outside UK: +44 3000 533 148.
Last updated: 29 October 2026