The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are now open for applications, offering one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers. Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme, these fellowships are designed to support outstanding researchers who wish to conduct high-quality research abroad, develop new skills, expand international collaborations, and advance their academic or non-academic careers.
The programme encourages international mobility and interdisciplinary research while strengthening Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem. Whether you are looking to move within Europe, relocate to Europe from another region of the world, or gain international experience outside Europe before returning, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships provide generous financial support and access to world-class research environments.
Application Deadline: 9 September 2026 (17:00 CEST)
What are the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships?
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are among the flagship funding programmes of the European Commission that support researcher mobility, training, and career development.
The Postdoctoral Fellowships (PFs) specifically target researchers who already hold a PhD and are looking to:
- Develop independent research careers
- Conduct research in another country
- Learn new scientific techniques
- Build interdisciplinary expertise
- Strengthen international research collaborations
- Gain exposure to both academic and non-academic sectors
- Improve long-term career prospects
Rather than simply funding a research project, the programme focuses on developing the researcher through international experience, advanced training, networking opportunities, and career progression.
Postdoctoral Fellowships in research areas covered by the Euratom Research and Training Programme
Why Apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships?
The fellowship provides far more than financial support. It enables researchers to become internationally competitive while working with leading universities, research institutes, companies, SMEs, and innovation organizations.
Successful fellows benefit from:
- Fully funded research positions
- International mobility opportunities
- Career development support
- Advanced research training
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Networking with leading scientists
- Improved employability
- International research experience
- Opportunities to work in both academic and industry settings
Types of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships
The programme offers two distinct fellowship schemes, allowing researchers to choose the pathway that best fits their career goals.
1. European Postdoctoral Fellowships
European Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers who wish to carry out research in:
- European Union (EU) Member States, or
- Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
Researchers may:
- Move from one European country to another
- Relocate from anywhere in the world to Europe
Duration
The fellowship lasts:
- 1–2 years
Who can apply?
Researchers of any nationality are eligible to apply, provided they satisfy the eligibility requirements.
2. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships
Global Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers wishing to gain experience outside Europe before returning.
The fellowship includes two phases:
Outgoing Phase
Researchers spend:
- 1–2 years
- At a host organisation located in a non-associated Third Country outside Europe.
Return Phase
Researchers then complete:
- A mandatory 1-year return phase
- At an organisation located in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
Total Duration
- 2–3 years
Who can apply?
Only researchers who are:
- Nationals of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, or
- Long-term residents of those countries.
Have a look at the Postdoctoral Fellowships page and key resources for an introduction to the scheme’s characteristics and opportunities.
Consult the MSCA Work Programme and annexes for all details about the call conditions.
Additional Mobility Opportunities
Both European and Global Fellowships may include:
Short-Term Secondments
Researchers may undertake secondments almost anywhere in the world to:
- Collaborate with external institutions
- Access specialist facilities
- Develop new research techniques
- Strengthen international partnerships
For Global Fellowships, secondments cannot occur during the mandatory return phase.
Non-Academic Placements
To encourage collaboration beyond universities, fellows may receive additional support for placements lasting up to:
- 6 months
These placements must take place at the end of the fellowship in a non-academic organisation based in:
- EU Member States
- Horizon Europe Associated Countries
Examples include:
- Companies
- SMEs
- Government organisations
- NGOs
- Innovation centres
- Research-based industries
Research Areas Supported
One of the strengths of the MSCA programme is that it welcomes proposals from all academic disciplines.
Eligible fields include, but are not limited to:
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering
- Technology
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Medical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Agriculture
- Environmental Sciences
- Climate Change
- Mathematics
- Economics
- Education
- Humanities
- Arts
- Social Sciences
- Law
- Business
- Public Policy
Research covered under the Euratom Research and Training Programme is also eligible, subject to additional nationality requirements.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must submit their proposal jointly with an eligible host organisation.
Host organisations may include:
- Universities
- Research institutes
- Businesses
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Public organisations
- Private organisations
- Innovation centres
- Other eligible institutions located in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy all programme requirements.
1. Hold a PhD
Applicants must:
- Have been awarded a PhD before the application deadline.
Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally received their degree are also eligible.
2. Research Experience
Applicants must have:
- No more than 8 years of research experience following the award of their PhD.
The following periods do not count toward the eight-year limit:
- Career breaks
- Time spent outside research
- Certain periods spent conducting research outside Europe (for eligible reintegrating researchers)
3. Mobility Rule
Applicants must not have:
- Lived,
- Worked,
- Studied, or
- Carried out their main activity
in the host country for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before the application deadline.
This mobility requirement is one of the programme’s defining eligibility criteria.
4. Resubmission Restriction
Beginning with the 2026 call, applications that scored below 80% during the previous year’s evaluation are subject to resubmission restrictions.
Seal of Excellence
Applicants whose proposals score:
- 85% or higher
but cannot be funded due to budget limitations will receive a Seal of Excellence.
This prestigious recognition demonstrates that the proposal met high-quality standards and may improve opportunities to obtain funding from other sources.
What Does the Fellowship Funding Cover?
The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support throughout the project.
The beneficiary organisation receives EU funding to employ the researcher for the full fellowship period.
Funding includes:
Researcher Allowances
Researchers receive:
- Living allowance
- Mobility allowance
Where applicable, additional support is available through:
- Family allowance
- Long-term leave allowance
- Special needs allowance
Institutional Support
Additional funding is provided for:
- Research activities
- Scientific training
- Networking activities
- Project management
- Indirect institutional costs
This ensures researchers have access to the resources needed to successfully complete their projects.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted jointly by:
- The researcher
- The host organisation
The proposal is submitted by the host institution through the European Commission’s Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal.
Steps to Apply
Applicants should:
- Identify a suitable host organisation.
- Contact a potential supervisor.
- Develop a research proposal jointly.
- Confirm eligibility requirements.
- Prepare all required documents.
- Submit the proposal before the deadline.
Start preparing your application to an open funding call published on the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal
Finding a Host Organisation
Researchers can identify host institutions through:
- Existing academic networks
- Professional contacts
- Universities
- Research institutes
- Euraxess hosting offers
- Other international research job portals
Many organisations publish expressions of interest seeking researchers for specific research topics.
Check the list of hosting offers (expressions of interest) published on Euraxess
Documents Available for Applicants
The European Commission provides several resources to help applicants prepare competitive proposals.
These include:
- MSCA Work Programme
- General Annexes
- Guide for Applicants
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Application Forms
- Evaluation Forms
- Guidelines for calculating the 8-year research experience
- Self-assessment tool
- Online application manuals
For more information on the application and evaluation process and contact points for further guidance
Responsibilities of the Host Organisation
If awarded funding, the host institution will:
- Recruit the researcher
- Supervise the fellowship
- Provide research facilities
- Deliver training
- Support networking opportunities
- Arrange secondments where appropriate
- Submit the application on behalf of the researcher
Why This Fellowship Stands Out
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are widely regarded as one of Europe’s most prestigious research funding programmes because they combine:
- International mobility
- Career development
- Scientific excellence
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Industry engagement
- Comprehensive funding
- High-quality research training
- Global networking opportunities
Researchers gain access to world-leading institutions while developing skills that significantly enhance future academic and professional careers.
Important Deadline
Application Deadline: 9 September 2026 (17:00 CEST)
Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing well in advance, as developing a strong proposal requires close collaboration with a host organisation and sufficient time to prepare all supporting documents.
Conclusion
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 represent an exceptional opportunity for PhD holders seeking to elevate their research careers through international mobility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advanced professional development. By supporting researchers across all disciplines and promoting partnerships between academia and industry, the programme helps cultivate the next generation of global research leaders.
Whether you aspire to conduct groundbreaking research in Europe, gain international experience abroad before returning to Europe, or expand your professional network across sectors, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships provide the funding, mentorship, and institutional support needed to achieve those ambitions. Eligible researchers are encouraged to identify a suitable host institution, prepare a competitive proposal, and submit their application before the 9 September 2026 deadline.
Visit the OFY website for more fellowship opportunities.
