Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships

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September 9, 2026

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The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships, MSCA PF, support researchers who already hold a PhD and want to carry out research abroad, gain new skills, and develop their academic or professional career. The fellowship helps researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines, and sectors, including both academic and non-academic environments.

There are two main types of fellowship. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality who want to move within Europe or come to Europe for their research career. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships support mobility outside Europe, followed by a mandatory return phase in Europe, and are open only to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

At Darrab Education, we recommend this opportunity for postdoctoral researchers who want a prestigious, highly competitive international fellowship. Applicants should start early because the proposal must be prepared together with a host organisation and a supervisor. A strong project idea, excellent CV, clear career development plan, and well-matched host institution are essential.

Must have a PhD degree by the application deadline.
Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally received the PhD certificate may also be eligible.
Must have a maximum of 8 years of research experience from the date of the PhD award.
Career breaks and time spent outside research may be excluded from the 8-year calculation.
Must follow the mobility rule: the applicant must not have lived or carried out their main activity in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the call deadline.
Must apply together with a host organisation.
The host can be a university, research institute, business, SME, or another organisation.
All research disciplines are eligible.
From 2026, resubmission restrictions apply to proposals that scored below 80% in the previous year.

European Postdoctoral Fellowships

Open to researchers of any nationality.
The host organisation must be in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
The fellowship usually lasts 1 to 2 years.
Suitable for researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world.

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships

For researchers who want to carry out research outside Europe first.
Total duration is usually 2 to 3 years.
Includes 1 to 2 years in a non-associated third country.
Includes a mandatory 1-year return phase in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
Only nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply.

Find a suitable host organisation and supervisor.
Find a suitable host organisation and supervisor. Many universities and research institutes publish Expressions of Interest, EOI, or Letters of Intent, LOI, for researchers who want to apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships with them. These opportunities can often be found on EURAXESS hosting offers and on university websites. (euraxess.ec.europa.eu)
Discuss your research idea with the host early.
Develop the proposal jointly with the host organisation.
Check the open MSCA PF call on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Read the official guide for applicants and call documents.
Prepare the proposal, including the research plan, training plan, impact, implementation, and host details.
The host organisation usually submits the proposal on behalf of the researcher.
Submit the proposal before the official call deadline.
If selected, the host organisation recruits the researcher for the fellowship period.

Living allowance.
Mobility allowance.
Family allowance, if applicable.
Long-term leave allowance, if applicable.
Special needs allowance, if applicable.
Research, training, and networking costs.
Management and indirect costs for the host organisation.
International research experience.
Opportunity to work across countries, disciplines, and sectors.
Possible short-term secondments anywhere in the world.
Possible non-academic placement of up to 6 months at the end of the fellowship in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Is this fellowship fully funded?

Yes. The fellowship provides EU funding for the recruited researcher, including living and mobility allowances, and may include family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances where applicable. It also supports research, training, networking, management, and indirect costs.

How can I find a host or Letter of Intent, LOI, for MSCA PF?

Many universities and research institutes publish hosting offers, sometimes called Expressions of Interest, EOI, or Letters of Intent, LOI, for researchers who want to apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships with them. These offers usually mean that a host group is interested in supporting strong candidates to prepare an MSCA PF proposal.

A good place to search is EURAXESS, where MSCA hosting offers can be found through the Jobs and Opportunities portal by filtering the offer type to Hosting. Applicants can also search by country and keyword. (euraxess.ec.europa.eu)

Applicants should also check university websites, research institute pages, and supervisors’ lab pages, because many host calls are published directly by institutions and may not appear everywhere. A strong email to a potential supervisor should include a short research idea, CV, publication list, and a clear explanation of why the host is a good fit.

Can researchers from all countries apply?

Yes, researchers from all countries can apply for European Postdoctoral Fellowships if they meet the eligibility and mobility rules and find a host organisation in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. For Global Postdoctoral Fellowships, applicants must be nationals or long-term residents of an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Do I need a host before applying?

Yes. The application must be prepared together with a host organisation. The host can be a university, research institution, business, SME, or another eligible organisation.

Can I apply in any research field?

Yes. All disciplines are eligible, including research areas covered by the Euratom Research and Training Programme, with additional eligibility conditions for Euratom-related topics.

What is the mobility rule?

Applicants must not have lived or carried out their main activity, such as work or study, in the host country for more than 12 months during the 36 months before the call deadline.

Can I include a secondment?

Yes. Both European and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships may include short-term secondments anywhere in the world, following the programme rules.

Can I work with a company or non-academic organisation?

Yes. The programme encourages links between academic and non-academic sectors. Researchers may receive support for a placement of up to 6 months in a non-academic organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country at the end of the fellowship.

Is this good for my academic career?

Yes. MSCA PF is one of Europe’s most prestigious postdoctoral fellowships. It is especially strong for researchers who want international mobility, advanced training, publications, networking, and future academic or research leadership opportunities.

Should I check the official website?

Yes. Always check the official MSCA page and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal before applying because deadlines, templates, eligibility rules, and call conditions may change.

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