About the opportunity
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to support the careers of individual researchers and foster excellence in research. The program targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out research activities abroad, acquire new skills, and develop their careers. Fellowships help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines, and non-academic sectors. There are two types: European Postdoctoral Fellowships (1-2 years) for mobility within or into Europe, and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships (2-3 years) for mobility outside Europe with a mandatory return phase. Both types may include short-term secondments and an optional placement of up to 6 months in a non-academic organization at the end of the fellowship.
Funding and benefits
- Living allowance
- Mobility allowance
- Family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances (if applicable)
- Funding for research, training, and networking activities
- Funding for management and indirect costs
Who can apply?
- Must hold a PhD degree at the time of the application deadline (or have successfully defended a doctoral thesis)
- Maximum of eight years of research experience from the date of the PhD award (career breaks, time outside research, and research in third countries for those reintegrating to Europe do not count)
- Must comply with mobility rules: must not have resided or carried out main activity in the country of the beneficiary (European Fellowships) or host organization for the outgoing phase (Global Fellowships) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the deadline
- European Postdoctoral Fellowships: Open to researchers of any nationality moving within or to Europe
- Global Postdoctoral Fellowships: Restricted to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries
- Euratom Research and Training Programme: Restricted to nationals or long-term residents of an EU Member State or Euratom Associated Country
Required documents
- Application proposal (developed jointly with host organization)
- All annexes as specified in the call documentation
When to apply
- Applications can be submitted from the opening date of the call until the specified deadline.
- Deadline for the 2026 call: 2026-09-09, 17:00 CEST.
How to apply
- Identify a host organization (university, research institution, business, SME, etc.) based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
- Develop the research project proposal jointly with the chosen host organization.
- Submit the completed proposal through the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal.
Additional information
- Resubmission restrictions apply from 2026 for applications that received a score below 80% the previous year.
- Seals of Excellence are awarded to applications with a total score of 85% or higher that cannot be funded due to budget constraints.
- Host organizations are responsible for recruiting, supervising, hosting, and training the researcher.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Experienced researchers who have already defended their PhD thesis.
- Scholars looking to gain international experience through mobility within or outside Europe.
- Researchers interested in interdisciplinary or non-academic sector placements to broaden their career scope.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must strictly adhere to mobility rules regarding their residency and activity in the host country over the past three years.
- The application process requires a joint proposal with a host organization, which takes significant time to coordinate.
- Resubmission restrictions apply if a previous application scored below 80%, so quality is paramount.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship is designed for researchers aiming to establish themselves as independent investigators or to pivot into new research environments. It is a premier opportunity to secure funding for 1-3 years of research, providing the resources and mobility needed to significantly advance a career in academia or industry.
Our take
Postdoctoral researchers seeking to enhance their international profile and research excellence should apply. Those who do not meet the specific mobility or residency requirements will not be eligible.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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