MultiLAwa 2026 Fully Funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Double Degree PhD Fellowships in Europe | 14 Open Positions for International Researchers

The MultiLAwa Doctoral Network has officially opened applications for 14 fully funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Double Degree PhD Fellowships under the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks – Joint Doctorates programme. This prestigious European doctoral initiative is designed to train the next generation of multilingual and interdisciplinary researchers for the digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) era.

The programme, known as MultiLAwa (Multilingual Language Awareness in the European Digital Society), offers an exceptional opportunity for international students and early-career researchers who are passionate about linguistics, multilingualism, AI, digital communication, language technologies, sociolinguistics, and related fields.

Successful candidates will receive full funding, competitive salaries, international mobility opportunities, joint doctoral degrees from two European universities, and advanced interdisciplinary training across several countries in Europe.

The application deadline is 8 July 2026 at 11:59 pm (CEST).

About the MultiLAwa Doctoral Network

MultiLAwa is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Joint Doctorate programme funded under Horizon Europe. The initiative aims to prepare doctoral researchers for emerging professional demands linked to digital transformation, multilingual communication, and Generative AI technologies.

The programme focuses on developing experts in:

• Language awareness
• Multilingual communication
• AI-driven language technologies
• Computational linguistics
• Digital linguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• Gender linguistics
• Lexicography
• Terminology
• Language policy
• Language teaching and didactics

The consortium also integrates expertise from other scientific and professional sectors, including:

• Finance and Economic Sciences
• Information Science and Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence and Multimedia
• Environmental Sciences
• Circular Economy

This broad interdisciplinary approach ensures that Doctoral Candidates gain the skills necessary to thrive in academic, governmental, technological, educational, and industrial environments.

What Makes the MultiLAwa PhD Fellowship Unique?

The MultiLAwa programme is not a traditional PhD programme. It is a highly international and interdisciplinary doctoral training network designed around multilingualism, mobility, and collaboration.

1. Double Degree PhD Structure

All selected Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will receive:

• One joint doctoral degree (“cotutelle”)
• Two PhD diplomas from two universities in different countries

Candidates will study and conduct research at multiple institutions across Europe.

2. Fully Funded Fellowship

All positions are fully funded for 36 months under the MSCA regulations.

The funding package includes:

• Monthly living allowance: EUR 4010 (gross)
• Monthly mobility allowance: EUR 710
• Monthly family allowance: EUR 660 (if applicable)
• Long-term leave allowance (if applicable)
• Special needs allowance (if applicable)

Salary amounts will vary according to country correction coefficients.

3. International Research Mobility

Doctoral Candidates will:

• Spend time at two host universities
• Participate in international secondments
• Conduct research stays ranging from a few days to six months
• Collaborate with partner organisations and industries across Europe

4. Multilingual and Interdisciplinary Environment

The programme promotes plurilingualism and multicultural collaboration.

Internal communication and training activities will be conducted in both:

• English
• German

Researchers will also benefit from exposure to additional European languages and cultures.

5. Strong Career Development Support

Each Doctoral Candidate will receive:

• A Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP)
• Professional mentoring
• Transferable skills training
• Participation in conferences and workshops
• Public engagement opportunities
• Advanced research training

Research Areas Covered by MultiLAwa

The consortium combines expertise in several cutting-edge disciplines, including:

Linguistics and Language Studies

• Applied Linguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• Gender Linguistics
• Interactional Linguistics
• Lexicography
• Terminology
• Language for Specific Purposes (LSP)
• Didactics
• Language Policy

Digital and AI Fields

• Digital Linguistics
• Computational Linguistics
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Artificial Intelligence
• Language Technologies

Interdisciplinary Areas

• Multimedia and Information Science
• Finance and Economics
• Environmental Sciences
• Circular Economy

Host Countries and Salary Correction Coefficients

The fellowship includes placements across multiple European countries. Country correction coefficients apply to the living allowance.

2025 Country Correction Coefficients

• Austria: 109.7%
• Denmark: 132.8%
• France: 118.1%
• Germany: 101.2%
• Italy: 95.3%
• Poland: 74.1%
• Portugal: 93.7%
• Switzerland: 163.8%

Eligibility Criteria for the MultiLAwa Fellowship

To apply for the programme, applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements.

Applicants Must:

1. Not Hold a Doctoral Degree

Candidates must not already possess a PhD at the time of recruitment.

Even candidates who have defended their thesis but have not yet officially received their degree are not eligible.

2. Hold a Relevant Master’s Degree

Applicants must possess one of the following:

• Master of Arts
• Master of Translation
• Master of Education
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Equivalent qualification

The degree must be in:

• Linguistics
• Translation Studies
• Language Studies
• Or a closely related discipline

Applicants must also demonstrate strong academic performance with distinction-level grades.

Minimum Academic Standards

Examples include:

• UK: Above 70%
• France: Above 14/20
• Germany/Austria: Better than 2 (“gut”)
• Switzerland: Above 5.5
• Denmark: Above 7

3. Meet the MSCA Mobility Rule

Applicants must not have:

• Lived
• Worked
• Studied

in the recruiting university’s country for more than 12 months during the last 36 months before recruitment.

4. Demonstrate Strong Language Skills

Applicants must have at least:

• B2 level German
• B2 level English

Language certificates or equivalent evidence must be provided.

Knowledge of additional languages is considered an advantage.

5. Be Interested in International and Interdisciplinary Research

Candidates should:

• Enjoy multicultural collaboration
• Be willing to travel internationally
• Participate in research secondments
• Work in interdisciplinary environments

What Training Will Fellows Receive?

Selected Doctoral Candidates will participate in a highly structured doctoral training programme.

Training opportunities include:

• Research methodology workshops
• AI and language technology training
• Academic writing development
• Public speaking and dissemination training
• Transferable skills courses
• International conferences
• Collaborative projects
• Public engagement activities

Online Information Session for Applicants

An online information session will be organized for interested applicants.

Information Session Details

• Date: Tuesday 16 June 2026
• Time: 2:00 pm (CEST)
• Format: Online

The participation link will be shared later by the organizers.

Fellowship Duration and Start Date

Duration

• 36 months full-time employment contract

Start Date

• 1 November 2026

Why This Fellowship Matters in the AI and Digital Era

The growing influence of Artificial Intelligence, digital communication, multilingual societies, and language technologies has created increasing demand for experts who understand both human language and digital systems.

MultiLAwa responds directly to this demand by training researchers capable of:

• Bridging linguistic and technological fields
• Supporting multilingual digital societies
• Developing ethical and inclusive AI communication systems
• Advancing research in language technologies and cultural communication

The programme is particularly valuable for students interested in careers in:

• Academia
• AI and NLP industries
• European institutions
• Language policy
• Translation technologies
• International organisations
• Education
• Research institutes

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the MultiLAwa 2026 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Double Degree PhD Fellowships is:

8 July 2026 at 11:59 pm (CEST)

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their applications early and attend the online information session.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official MultiLAwa recruitment portal.

Apply here

For more information on this PhD fellowship visit here 

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