Doctoral & postdoctoral research funding
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are the European Union's flagship funding programme for training researchers, under Horizon Europe. Instead of a scholarship, you are usually employed with a competitive salary and allowances while you carry out research and move to a new country. MSCA is open to researchers of any nationality.
International networks of universities, research centres and companies recruit doctoral candidates to work on a joint research and training programme. You are hired on an employment contract (typically around three years) with a living allowance, a mobility allowance and, where applicable, a family allowance. To be eligible you must not already hold a doctorate, and you must respect the mobility rule: you cannot have lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years before recruitment. Open positions are advertised individually, mainly on the EURAXESS portal.
For researchers who already hold a PhD and have up to eight years of research experience since obtaining it. There are two types: European Fellowships (12–24 months at a host in an EU or associated country) and Global Fellowships (a phase outside Europe followed by a mandatory return phase). Applications are prepared jointly by you and a host supervisor and submitted to a single annual call. The 2025 call closed on 10 September 2025; a new call opens each year, usually in spring with a deadline in September. The mobility rule also applies.
For Doctoral Networks, search and apply to individual PhD positions as they are advertised on EURAXESS. For Postdoctoral Fellowships, find a host supervisor and prepare a joint proposal for the annual EU call. Start early — competition is strong.
Figures, dates and rules change each year — always confirm on the official MSCA website before applying.
Use the free Scholarship Finder and country comparison, then get a personal plan.