MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships
HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01
The 2026 call for the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships is open as of 9 April 2026.
With a budget of €399.05 million, the grants target researchers holding a PhD and aim to help them acquire new skills, develop their careers, and gain international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral experience by working in another country.
These prestigious fellowships are also a stepping stone in researchers’ careers. They allow them to strengthen research cooperation with leading scientific teams and figures worldwide.
The call will close on 9 September 2026 and is expected to fund nearly 1600 projects.
Research in all fields
The call is open to applications in any scientific field, including Euratom research.
Fellowships include
- European Postdoctoral Fellowships, open to researchers of any nationality to carry out a personalised project in the European Union (EU) or countries associated to Horizon Europe for up to 24 months
- Global Postdoctoral Fellowships, open to EU and Horizon Europe associated countries nationals or long-term residents wishing to work with organisations in third countries for a period of 12 to 24 months, before returning to Europe for 12 months
The scheme encourages researchers to gain experience beyond academia by giving them the opportunity to request an additional six months at the end of their fellowship to undertake a placement in a non-academic organisation in Europe.
Conditions for researchers and organisations
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to postdoctoral researchers from all over the world, of any nationality and at any career stage, with a maximum of 8 years of research experience after their PhD.
Some exceptions and specific conditions apply, for instance for Global Postdoctoral Fellowships and Euratom research.
Researchers must develop an application with their prospective supervisor and apply together with their future host organisation, which can be
- a university
- a research institution or facility
- a company, small or medium-sized enterprise
- a government, public institution, or body
- a museum, hospital, or NGO
- any other organisation
based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country.
Researchers applying to Global Fellowships will need to seek the commitment of an organisation based in a third country, as they will carry out their research there for a period of between 12 and 24 months.
The call is open to researchers wishing to reintegrate in Europe, to those displaced by conflict, as well as to researchers with high potential who are seeking to restart their careers.
ERA Fellowships
Researchers applying for a standard European Fellowship with a host organisation in a “widening country” and outermost regions (i.e. less advanced countries in terms of R&I performance in Horizon Europe) can opt in to be considered for the ERA Fellowships call.
Around 40 ERA Fellowships will be awarded to excellent applicants who were not selected under the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call due to budget constraints. Find the eligible host countries for ERA Fellowships.
Indicative timeline
- 9 April 2026: launch of the call for proposals
- 9 September 2026: deadline to submit proposals
- February 2027: notification of call results to applicants (TBC)
- February-May 2027: grant agreement signature for successful projects (TBC)
- May 2027: first EU-funded projects start (TBC)
Did you know about the 30th anniversary of MSCA?
This year marks a key milestone: the 30th anniversary of the MSCA.
Since 1996, the programme has played a crucial role in advancing research and innovation, supporting over 150,000 researchers, including 23 Nobel Prize winners. The programme has been a cornerstone of European research and a beacon of excellence, fostering mobility across disciplines, sectors, and countries and attracting and nurturing top talent.
2026 is a moment to reflect on what has been achieved, and to look ahead to what comes next.
Explore the activities marking 30 years of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Learn more about the programme, its objectives and its impact on research careers.
Video interview with Prof. Dr. Hélène Langevin-Joliot
Granddaughter of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, sharing insights on her legacy and its relevance today.
Events across Europe and beyond
A selection of events organised by MSCA networks to mark the anniversary.
Find out more and apply
Postdoctoral Fellowships call: 6 steps to prepare your application
Visit the 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship call page
Find out more on how to apply to MSCA
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