EU Research Fellowship Helps Ghanaian Scientist Turn Pineapple Fibre Prosthesis Idea Into Reality

Brussels: When Ghanaian researcher Eric Gaba arrived in Brussels for a postdoctoral fellowship at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, he carried with him an idea developed during his doctoral research: creating prosthetic limbs from pineapple leaf fibre.

His goal was to develop a prosthesis that could be more affordable, environmentally friendly and accessible than conventional carbon-fibre alternatives, which can remain too expensive for many amputees around the world.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowship provided Gaba with the time, research resources and institutional support needed to take the concept further.

Gaba's journey illustrates the broader purpose of the EU's MSCA programme, which focuses on supporting researchers, strengthening their skills and creating opportunities to pursue innovative projects while building international careers.

Three Decades of Supporting Researchers

Launched in 1996 and named after Nobel Prize-winning scientist Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the MSCA is the European Union's flagship initiative for researcher training and career development.

The programme follows a largely bottom-up approach, allowing researchers from different fields and career stages to pursue projects while gaining international, interdisciplinary and cross-sector experience.

Under Horizon Europe, MSCA has a budget of approximately €6.6 billion and is expected to support more than 60,000 researchers between 2021 and 2027.

Over its three decades, the programme has supported more than 150,000 researchers, including 23 Nobel Prize laureates who participated as fellows, supervisors or project coordinators.

Mobility is a central feature of the programme. Researchers are encouraged to work across countries, disciplines and sectors, exposing them to new institutions, technologies and approaches.

International Mobility Shapes Careers

For data scientist Ornela Bardhi, an MSCA-funded doctoral fellowship involved research experiences across Spain, the United States, Ireland and Finland.

Her research focused on applying machine-learning techniques to medical data. Bardhi later returned to Albania, where she worked as a scientific adviser to the country's Minister of Health and Social Protection.

She has said the fellowship influenced her career both directly and indirectly. Her professional journey also led her to the Marie Curie Alumni Association, connecting her research experience with science-policy work.

The programme also places emphasis on gender equality and inclusion. Women account for approximately 45% of MSCA-funded researchers under Horizon Europe, while the initiative promotes equal opportunities, inclusive working conditions and work-life balance.

Europe Attracts Global Research Talent

MSCA has built research networks spanning more than 100 countries, helping Europe attract scientists and researchers from around the world.

Many fellows remain connected to European research and employment networks after completing their grants. A survey of 5,000 MSCA fellows funded between 2014 and 2020 found that 87% were employed or self-employed in EU member or associated countries two years after completing their fellowships.

Gaba's own experience also highlights a challenge facing international researchers after grant funding ends.

His fellowship at Vrije Universiteit Brussel has concluded, and his secure right to remain in Belgium ended with the fellowship. His pineapple-fibre prosthesis research is now at an important development stage, with Gaba seeking additional funding and a route to transform the research into a practical product.

New Initiative Focuses on Longer-Term Careers

The MSCA is increasingly focusing on making research careers more sustainable.

The Choose Europe for Science pilot programme seeks to create a risk-sharing mechanism involving academic and non-academic organisations to recruit postdoctoral researchers while encouraging longer-term employment opportunities beyond individual research projects.

The initiative is intended to address a persistent challenge in academia: ensuring talented researchers have stable career pathways after temporary grants expire.

Research Network Continues Beyond Fellowships

Participation in MSCA can also extend beyond the end of an individual fellowship.

The Marie Curie Alumni Association has more than 24,000 members across more than 150 countries, with researchers participating through local chapters and thematic groups.

The organisation contributes to European policy discussions and publishes recommendations on subjects including artificial intelligence and research freedom.

For researchers such as Gaba, the wider MSCA ecosystem can therefore provide more than funding. It can offer international connections, professional development and access to networks that continue after a fellowship ends.

As MSCA celebrates its 30th anniversary, the programme's evolution highlights the importance of investing not only in research projects, but also in the people behind scientific discoveries.

Gaba's pineapple-fibre prosthesis is one example of how international research support can help transform an idea developed during a PhD into technology with potential social and environmental benefits.