If you have completed your PhD and are ready to take your research career to the next level, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 could be the opportunity you have been waiting for. Backed by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme, this is one of the most prestigious and well-funded postdoctoral fellowship schemes in the world — and it is open to researchers of any nationality, in any research discipline.
With a total indicative budget of nearly €400 million for 2026, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships support talented researchers in gaining international experience, developing new skills, and advancing their careers through cutting-edge research projects hosted at leading academic institutions and non-academic organisations across Europe and beyond.
Whether you are a researcher based in Asia, Africa, the Americas, or already in Europe — if you hold a PhD and have a strong research vision, this fellowship is designed for you.
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🎓 Scholarship Overview
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, a flagship initiative of the European Union under the Horizon Europe framework programme. Named after the Nobel Prize-winning scientist Marie Skłodowska-Curie, these fellowships have a long and celebrated history of supporting world-class researchers.
The objective of Postdoctoral Fellowships is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. The action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. The fellowships help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors.
The scheme also encourages researchers to work on research and innovation projects in the non-academic sector and is open to researchers wishing to reintegrate in Europe, to those who are displaced by conflict, as well as to researchers with high potential who are seeking to restart their careers in research.
This is not just a scholarship — it is a comprehensive career development programme designed to shape the next generation of world-leading researchers.
🎓 Types of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships
There are two distinct fellowship types, each designed for a different mobility scenario:
1. 🇪🇺 European Postdoctoral Fellowships
European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world to pursue their research career. These fellowships take place in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country and can last between 1 and 2 years. Researchers of any nationality can apply.
This is the most accessible option for international researchers wanting to work at a European university, research institute, company, or other organization.
2. 🌍 Global Postdoctoral Fellowships
Global Postdoctoral Fellowships fund the mobility of researchers outside Europe. The fellowship lasts between 2 to 3 years, of which the first 1 to 2 years will be spent in a non-associated Third Country, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year to an organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Only nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply.
This option is ideal for European researchers who want to conduct world-class research at top institutions in countries like the USA, Japan, Canada, or Australia — and then bring that knowledge back to Europe.
➕ Additional Opportunities Within the Fellowship
Both types of fellowships may also include short-term secondments anywhere in the world during the fellowship (except during the return phase of a Global Fellowship). Researchers can also receive additional support to carry out a placement of up to 6 months in a non-academic organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
🎓 Benefits / Funding Package
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship provides one of the most complete financial support packages of any postdoctoral programme in the world. The EU provides support for the recruited researcher in the form of a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances. In addition, funding is provided for research, training and networking activities, as well as management and indirect costs.
Here is a practical breakdown of what fellows typically receive:
- 💶 Living Allowance — A competitive monthly salary to cover your cost of living in the host country (country correction coefficients are applied, so the amount adjusts based on where you are based)
- ✈️ Mobility Allowance — An additional monthly top-up to compensate for the costs of relocating and living abroad
- 👨👩👧 Family Allowance — An extra monthly allowance for fellows who have family dependents
- 🔬 Research & Training Costs — Funds to cover conference attendance, training, fieldwork, laboratory expenses, and collaboration activities
- 🏛️ Institutional Support — Management and overhead costs are also covered, paid directly to the host organisation
The combined package makes MSCA fellowships genuinely competitive with industry salaries, removing financial barriers that often prevent talented researchers from pursuing postdoctoral positions abroad.
Total indicative budget for MSCA PF 2026: EUR 399.05 million (TBC)
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are clear and well-defined. Make sure you meet all conditions before investing time in your application.
Academic Requirement: Researchers interested in Postdoctoral Fellowships should have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply.
Experience Limit: Researchers must have a maximum of eight years experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree. Years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.
Mobility Rule (Very Important): Researchers should comply with mobility rules: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
This rule means you cannot apply to a host country where you have been living or working for most of the past three years — the fellowship is designed to encourage genuine international mobility.
Nationality:
- European Postdoctoral Fellowships: Open to researchers of any nationality worldwide
- Global Postdoctoral Fellowships: Open to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries only
Resubmission Policy (New from 2026): As from 2026, resubmission restrictions apply for applications that received a score below 80% the previous year.
Seal of Excellence: Seals of Excellence will be awarded to applications with a total score equal to or higher than 85%, but which cannot be funded due to lack of budget available under the call. This is a valuable recognition that can help researchers secure alternative funding.
🎓 Who Should Apply
You should apply if you:
- Hold a PhD degree (or have successfully defended your thesis)
- Have fewer than 8 years of postdoctoral research experience
- Want to conduct high-impact research at a leading European institution
- Are looking to gain international, interdisciplinary, or cross-sector experience
- Are a European researcher wanting to spend time at a world-class institution outside Europe
- Are a researcher who has taken career breaks, worked outside academia, or been displaced by conflict — MSCA’s counting rules are specifically designed to accommodate your situation
- Want to work in an academic or non-academic (industry, NGO, government) research environment
You may not qualify if you:
- Do not yet hold a PhD and have not defended your thesis
- Have more than 8 years of research experience since your PhD
- Have been living or working in your target host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years
- Are a non-EU national applying for a Global Fellowship (which requires EU/Associated Country nationality)
🎓 Available Research Areas / Programs
One of the most exciting aspects of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships is their complete openness across disciplines. All disciplines are eligible for Postdoctoral Fellowships, including research areas covered by the Euratom Research and Training Programme.
This means you can apply in any field, including but not limited to:
- Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences)
- Engineering and Technology
- Medical and Health Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Economics and Business
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Environmental and Climate Research
- Legal and Political Sciences
- Nuclear Research (under Euratom — special eligibility applies)
The fellowship is truly interdisciplinary and actively encourages projects that bridge multiple research fields or connect academic research with real-world applications in industry or civil society.
🎓 Required Documents
Applications are submitted jointly by the researcher and the host organisation. Key documents typically required include:
- ✅ Research proposal — A detailed, well-structured description of the proposed research project, its objectives, methodology, and expected impact (this is the most critical component and is evaluated rigorously)
- ✅ CV — Academic curriculum vitae highlighting your research achievements, publications, and experience
- ✅ PhD certificate or proof of successful thesis defense
- ✅ Motivation and career development plan — Explaining how this fellowship fits into your long-term research career goals
- ✅ Host organisation details and letter of commitment — Confirming the host’s agreement to support the project
- ✅ Ethics self-assessment — Required for all Horizon Europe proposals
All documents are submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal. Specific templates and forms are provided for each call on the portal.
🎓 Application Process
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship application is a joint effort between you (the researcher) and a host organisation. Here is how to approach it step by step:
Step 1 — Find a Host Organisation Your network will be an invaluable source. You can also check the list of hosting offers published on Euraxess and other job portals from research institutions interested in supporting your application. Start this process early — finding the right supervisor and host is the foundation of a strong application.
Step 2 — Develop Your Proposal Together Work closely with your prospective supervisor at the host institution to develop a compelling, feasible, and high-impact research proposal. The proposal should demonstrate both scientific excellence and career development value.
Step 3 — Submit via the EU Portal You will need to submit your application to an open funding call published on the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal. The host organisation is technically responsible for submitting the application on your behalf.
Step 4 — Evaluation Proposals are evaluated by independent expert reviewers based on excellence of the researcher, quality of the research project, and the overall implementation plan.
Step 5 — Notification and Grant Agreement Successful applicants are notified and proceed to sign a grant agreement with the European Research Executive Agency (REA), after which the fellowship officially begins.
🎓 Important Dates
The indicative timeline for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 is as follows:
| Milestone | Indicative Date |
| 📢 Launch of call for proposals | 9 April 2026 (TBC) |
| 📋 Deadline for submitting proposals | 9 September 2026 (TBC) |
| 📬 Notification of results to applicants | February 2027 (TBC) |
| ✍️ Grant agreement signature | April 2027 (TBC) |
| 🚀 First EU-funded projects start | May 2027 (TBC) |
⚠️ All dates are indicative and subject to confirmation. Always check the official EU Funding & Tenders portal for the latest confirmed deadlines. Start preparing your proposal and identifying a host organisation well in advance of the September deadline — strong applications take months to develop.
🎓 Why Apply for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and career-defining awards a postdoctoral researcher can receive. Here is why it stands out:
- 🌍 Truly global — open to researchers of any nationality (European Fellowships), making it one of the few EU programmes fully accessible to researchers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond
- 💶 Exceptional funding — the combined living allowance, mobility allowance, and research budget make it financially one of the strongest postdoctoral packages available anywhere
- 🏛️ Prestige — an MSCA fellowship on your CV signals world-class research capability to any future employer, funding body, or university
- 🔬 Freedom of research — you develop your own research project, giving you genuine intellectual ownership of your work
- 🤝 Network access — you join a pan-European community of MSCA fellows, gaining access to events, training, and collaborations that last well beyond the fellowship period
- 🔄 Career restart support — specifically designed to support researchers returning after career breaks, working in industry, or displaced by conflict
- 🏅 Seal of Excellence — even unsuccessful high-scoring applications receive recognition that can unlock alternative national and institutional funding
🎓 Official Source
For full and up-to-date details, the official call page, application forms, and guidelines, visit:
🔗 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 – Official Page
🔗 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships – General Information
🔗 EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Submit Your Application
🔗 Find a Host Organisation on Euraxess
🎓 Scholarship Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
| Programme | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) |
| Funded by | European Commission – Horizon Europe |
| Level | Postdoctoral (after PhD) |
| Fellowship Types | European (any nationality) & Global (EU nationals) |
| Duration | 1–2 years (European) / 2–3 years (Global) |
| Research Fields | All disciplines |
| Funding | Living allowance + mobility allowance + research costs |
| Total Budget 2026 | ~€399 million |
| Open to International Students | ✅ Yes (European Fellowship – any nationality) |
| Call Opens | 9 April 2026 (TBC) |
| Application Deadline | 9 September 2026 (TBC) |
| Results Notification | February 2027 (TBC) |
| Application Portal | EU Funding & Tenders Portal |
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