Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships are a flagship Horizon Europe programme run by the European Commission to support excellent postdoctoral researchers through international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility. The scheme is designed for researchers who already hold a PhD and want to strengthen their research profile, gain new skills, and work with leading host institutions.

The programme funds postdoctoral-level research only. It typically offers two main pathways: European Postdoctoral Fellowships, usually hosted in Europe, and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships, which include an outgoing phase in a country outside Europe followed by a mandatory return phase to a host in Europe. Across reference postings, fellowships usually last 12 to 24 months, while global fellowships add a return period.

Funding generally covers the researcher’s employment costs and project support. Posts linked to this programme mention a living allowance, mobility support, possible family, long-term leave, and special-needs allowances, as well as support for research, training, networking, and management costs. Specific salary amounts depend on the call rules, country correction factors, and personal circumstances.

The fellowship is open to researchers of any nationality and supports projects in all disciplines. Common eligibility points in the postings include holding a PhD by the call deadline, meeting the relevant mobility rule, and usually having no more than 8 years of research experience after the PhD, subject to the programme’s official exceptions and calculation rules.

Applications are normally prepared jointly by the applicant and a host institution or supervisor, then submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Many universities first invite expressions of interest so they can help candidates shape a competitive proposal. If you are planning to apply, identify a strong host and supervisor early, confirm your eligibility under the MSCA rules, and use the official call guidance for the relevant year.