Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
More details :
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.
Eligibility :
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.
Required documents :
Research proposal.
CV and academic track record.
Publication list, if applicable.
Host organisation details.
Supervisor or host support information.
Career development and training plan.
Secondment or placement details, if applicable.
Ethics and security information, if relevant.
Any additional forms or annexes required in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
How to 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.
The Scholarship Benefits:
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.