Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 for International Researchers
Applicant criteria
- No specific age required
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the Horizon Europe programme offer researchers who hold a doctoral degree the opportunity to apply for the Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026. These research fellowships are designed to support postdoctoral researchers in carrying out international research projects while developing their academic and professional skills.
The fellowship is considered one of the prominent international research opportunities and fellowships for researchers seeking to gain experience abroad and work within a research institution in Europe. Researchers of all nationalities and academic disciplines may apply for the European Postdoctoral Fellowships in cooperation with an eligible host institution.
The fellowship supports research across all scientific fields and disciplines, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as the social sciences, humanities, and economics, with a strong focus on international mobility, knowledge transfer, and researchers’ career development.
Types of Fellowships
The programme includes two main tracks:
European Postdoctoral Fellowships: Open to researchers of all nationalities who wish to carry out their research project in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe. The fellowship usually lasts between 12 and 24 months.
Global Postdoctoral Fellowships: Allow researchers to undertake a research phase outside Europe, followed by a mandatory one-year return period at a European institution. The total project duration is usually between 24 and 36 months. This track is subject to additional nationality and residency restrictions, making the European track generally more suitable for international researchers from Arab countries.
Benefits
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships provide funding for both the research project and the researcher, with support that may include:
- A Living Allowance for the researcher.
- A Mobility Allowance.
- The possibility of receiving additional allowances depending on individual circumstances and eligibility.
- Financial contributions toward research, training, and networking activities.
- Contributions toward management and indirect costs for the host institution.
- The opportunity to carry out a research project at an eligible international host institution.
- Training and development opportunities to strengthen research and professional skills.
- The chance to build an international professional and research network.
- The possibility of including secondment periods at another institution, subject to programme conditions.
- The option to include a placement in the non-academic sector to broaden professional experience and support intersectoral mobility.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must primarily:
- Hold a PhD degree by the application deadline, while taking into account cases permitted under the programme rules for researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally received the degree.
- Meet the research experience requirements specified in the MSCA call.
- Develop a research project in collaboration with an eligible supervisor and host institution.
- Comply with the Mobility Rule.
- Meet the specific eligibility requirements of the fellowship track they wish to apply for.