The 2026 call for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships has officially opened. The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship offers funding opportunities for researchers worldwide
With a total budget of €399.05 million, the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship is expected to support nearly 1,600 projects, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and global collaboration.
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to help researchers with a PhD advance their careers through advanced training and international mobility. By working in a different country, fellows gain valuable interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral experience, allowing them to build new skills and broaden their professional networks.
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are often seen as an important stepping stone for postdoctoral researchers.
They give postdoctoral researchers access to leading research environments and enable collaboration with top scientific teams worldwide. The programme also promotes long-term career development by encouraging exposure to diverse research settings beyond traditional academic pathways.
Two fellowship paths
The 2026 call includes two main fellowship types, each tailored to different career goals and mobility plans.
European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality and support projects carried out within European Union Member States or countries associated with Horizon Europe. These fellowships can last up to 24 months and focus on personalised research projects aligned with the applicant’s expertise and ambitions.
Global Postdoctoral Fellowships, on the other hand, are aimed at researchers from EU Member States or associated countries. These fellowships allow recipients to work in a non-European country for 12 to 24 months, followed by a mandatory 12-month return phase in Europe. This structure is designed to foster international cooperation while ensuring the transfer of knowledge back to European institutions.
Fellows also have the option to undertake an additional six-month placement in a non-academic organisation at the end of their fellowship. This can include roles in industry, government, or non-profit organisations, helping researchers gain practical experience and explore alternative career paths.
Eligibility and application process
The 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality and at any career stage, provided they have no more than eight years of research experience after completing their PhD.
Applicants must prepare their proposals jointly with a host organisation, which can range from universities and research institutes to companies, public bodies, or NGOs based in eligible countries.
For Global Fellowships, applicants must also secure a commitment from a host organisation in a third country where the initial phase of the research will take place.
The programme is inclusive in its approach, welcoming applications from researchers returning to Europe, those displaced by conflict, and individuals seeking to restart their careers.
Additional opportunities through ERA fellowships
Applicants who choose host institutions in countries with emerging research systems may also be considered for ERA Fellowships. These are awarded to high-quality proposals that are not funded under the main call due to budget limitations, ensuring broader support across Europe.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the MSCA programme. Since its launch in 1996, it has supported over 150,000 researchers and contributed significantly to Europe’s research excellence.
