MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026: €399M for Researchers Worldwide

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 offer €399.05 million for nearly 1,600 postdoctoral research projects across every scientific field. The European Commission funds two routes through Horizon Europe. Researchers of any nationality can apply for European Fellowships, while eligible EU and Horizon Europe associated-country nationals or long-term residents can pursue Global Fellowships. You must develop your proposal jointly with an eligible host organisation and supervisor. Applications close on 9 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. A strong research idea alone will not address the full call. Your proposal must connect research excellence with advanced training, international mobility, supervision, knowledge transfer, and long-term career impact.

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026: Quick Overview

Category	Details
Host Region	EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries; Global Fellowships include a third-country outgoing phase
Funding Body	European Commission under Horizon Europe
Program Name	Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
Degree Level	Postdoctoral research
Funding Status	€399.05 million; nearly 1,600 projects expected
Duration	European: 12–24 months; Global: 24–36 months
Deadline	9 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
Eligible Nationalities	European: any nationality; Global: EU or associated-country nationals and long-term residents
Application Method	Joint proposal with a host and supervisor through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal

The call uses a single-stage process and divides its budget between European and Global Fellowships. The official portal now accepts submissions for both routes.

Marie Curie Fellowship Opportunity and Entity Snapshot

The programme supports postdoctoral researchers through mobility, advanced training, and international collaboration. Universities, research centres, companies, public bodies, hospitals, museums, and NGOs can host fellows.

• The European Commission funds MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships through Horizon Europe.
• European Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers moving to or within Europe.
• Global Postdoctoral Fellowships connect eligible European researchers with third-country hosts and a European return institution.
• ERA Fellowships extend consideration to eligible European Fellowship proposals hosted in widening countries.

Available Research Fields for MSCA Fellowships in Europe

You can propose research in any scientific field, including Euratom-related topics. The system groups proposals into eight panels: Chemistry, Social Sciences and Humanities, Economic Sciences, Information Science and Engineering, Environment and Geosciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics.

Choose three to five descriptors in order of relevance.

Who Can Apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026?

You can apply when you hold a PhD, or when you complete an unconditional doctoral defence before the deadline. You must normally remain within eight years of full-time equivalent research experience after your first PhD, satisfy the mobility rule, and prepare the proposal with an eligible host and supervisor.

Core MSCA Fellowship Eligibility Requirements

• Hold a PhD by 9 September 2026, or complete an unconditional defence before that date.
• Have no more than eight years of full-time equivalent research experience after your first doctoral award, after permitted deductions.
• Avoid living or conducting your main activity in the relevant host country for more than 12 months during the previous 36 months.
• Submit only one proposal as an individual researcher.

Eligible deductions include career breaks, time outside research, parental leave, national service, and qualifying sick leave.

European Fellowship

Researchers of any nationality can apply. The beneficiary must operate in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Global Fellowship

You must hold nationality or long-term resident status in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Your project must include a 12–24 month outgoing phase in a non-associated third country and a mandatory 12-month European return phase.

The applicant guide also confirms a major resubmission rule: a 2025 proposal involving the same researcher and recruiting organisation cannot return in 2026 when it scored below 80%.

How to apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

Step 1: Select the fellowship route. Compare your nationality, residence history, mobility record, and destination against the European and Global rules.

Review the MSCA opens €399 million call for Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

Step 2: Verify eligibility. Calculate your research experience and review where you lived, worked, or studied during the 36-month window.

Postdoctoral Fellowships call: steps to prepare your application (step 2 for MSCA fellowship eligibility)

Step 3: Secure a committed host. Agree on the project, training, resources, supervision, and knowledge transfer before drafting.

Step 4: Build a personalised proposal. Connect your research goals with skills you need, expertise the host provides, and value you bring.

Step 5: Complete Parts A, B-1, and B-2. Use only the official 2026 templates.

Step 6: Request feedback. Ask your supervisor, host research office, and MSCA National Contact Point to review the proposal.

Step 7: Submit early. Download both uploaded PDFs, check every page, and resubmit corrected versions before the deadline.

Apply Now for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 via Online Application Portal

Required Documents Checklist

1. Part A online forms with project, host, supervisor, researcher, and administrative details
2. Part B-1 PDF, limited to 10 A4 pages, covering Excellence, Impact, and Implementation
3. Part B-2 PDF with your CV, organisational capacity, ethics or security details, and environmental considerations
4. Global Fellowship commitment letter from the outgoing-phase host
5. 2026 call-specific template with all instructional text removed
6. AI-use disclosure at the end of Part B-2 when you use generative AI during drafting

Use at least 11-point body text and margins of 15 mm or more in Part B-1. Do not add external hyperlinks. Evaluators will not receive pages beyond page ten.

Careers Help Desk Strategic Counter-Angle: What Strong Applicants Do Differently

1. They Present a Career Project, Not Only an Experiment

Average applicants focus on methods and publications. Strong applicants show how the fellowship changes their skills, independence, network, and future direction.

Define your career gap. Then show how the host and training plan close it.

2. They Prove Two-Way Knowledge Transfer

Explain what expertise you bring to the host and what new capability you will carry forward after the fellowship.

Your host should not serve as a prestigious address alone. The partnership should show clear scientific and professional exchange.

3. They Avoid Decorative Partnerships

A secondment or industry placement does not automatically improve your score. Include one only when it solves a project need, builds a specific skill, or creates a credible route to impact.

A famous supervisor cannot rescue a generic proposal. The official guidance notes that supervisors involved in many applications do not automatically achieve stronger success rates. Choose commitment over prestige alone.

Alternative Global Opportunities

• For a Germany-based postdoctoral route, compare Humboldt Research Fellowship 2026.
• For a longer independent research pathway in the UK or Ireland, review Royal Society University Research Fellowship 2027 (UK Edition) and Royal Society-Research Ireland University Research Fellowship 2027.
• For project-based research mobility in Germany, consider DFG Walter Benjamin Programme.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Miscalculating the 12-in-36-month mobility rule
• Using an outdated template or exceeding the 10-page limit
• Omitting the Global Fellowship commitment letter
• Encoding secondment organisations incorrectly in Part A
• Adding an irrelevant non-academic placement
• Resubmitting an ineligible 2025 proposal below the 80% threshold
• Uploading files at the last minute without checking the PDFs

Fellowship Benefits and Mobility Options

The programme supports research, advanced training, transferable skills, networking, supervision, and public engagement. You can also include:

• Optional secondments in academic or non-academic organisations worldwide
• An optional non-academic placement of up to six additional months after the fellowship
• A Career Development Plan covering training, publications, teaching, conferences, and career goals

A European Fellowship can include secondments for up to half of its standard duration. A Global Fellowship can include them for up to half of the outgoing phase, but not during the return phase.

Ready to Apply for Marie Curie Fellowship 2026

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 suit researchers seeking an ambitious project, targeted training, mobility, and a clear career transition. Start with eligibility, then secure an engaged supervisor.

Do not wait for September. Submit through the Official MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 Application Portal before 9 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.

Official Source: MSCA opens €399 million call for Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can researchers from outside Europe apply?

Yes. Researchers of any nationality can apply for a European Fellowship when they meet the PhD, experience, mobility, and host requirements. Global Fellowships use narrower nationality rules.

Can I apply before receiving my final PhD certificate?

Yes. You can apply after an unconditional doctoral defence completed by the deadline, even when the university has not issued the final certificate.

How long does the fellowship last?

12 to 24 months for a European Fellowship and 24 to 36 months for a Global Fellowship, including its 12-month return phase.

Can I apply without a host organisation?

No. You must develop the application jointly with an eligible host and supervisor.

Can I apply directly for an ERA Fellowship?

No. Submit an eligible European Fellowship proposal with a widening-country host and select the ERA opt-in option in Part A.

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