Overview
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are available for postdoctoral-level researchers who already hold a PhD degree.
Description
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are available for postdoctoral-level researchers who already hold a PhD degree.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026, applicants must:
Hold a PhD degree by the application deadline
Have a maximum of 8 years of research experience after completing the PhD
Meet the mobility rule, meaning they must not have lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the previous 36 months
Submit the application jointly with a host organisation and supervisor
Meet any additional conditions for Global Fellowships or Euratom projects
The programme also supports:
Researchers returning to Europe
Researchers displaced by conflict
Researchers restarting their careers
Additional Information
Degree Level
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are available for postdoctoral-level researchers who already hold a PhD degree.
Available Subjects
The fellowship is open to all academic disciplines, including:
Natural Sciences
Engineering
Social Sciences
Humanities
Life Sciences
Information Technology
Environmental Sciences
Euratom Research
Interdisciplinary Research
Researchers from any scientific field may apply.
Benefits
Selected researchers will receive:
Full salary funding
Mobility allowance
Family allowance (if applicable)
Research, training, and networking support
Opportunity for international mobility
Access to leading research institutions and supervisors
Optional 6-month placement in a non-academic organisation
Professional development through interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral training
This fellowship offers researchers the chance to build international experience while advancing their academic and professional careers.
Fellowship Types
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships include two funding options:
European Postdoctoral Fellowships
These fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality who wish to carry out a research project in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country for up to 24 months.
Global Postdoctoral Fellowships
These fellowships are for EU nationals or long-term residents who wish to work in a third country for 12 to 24 months, followed by a 12-month return phase to Europe.
Eligible Nationalities
The European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality.
The Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to EU Member State nationals or long-term residents of Horizon Europe associated countries.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026, applicants must:
Hold a PhD degree by the application deadline
Have a maximum of 8 years of research experience after completing the PhD
Meet the mobility rule, meaning they must not have lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the previous 36 months
Submit the application jointly with a host organisation and supervisor
Meet any additional conditions for Global Fellowships or Euratom projects
The programme also supports:
Researchers returning to Europe
Researchers displaced by conflict
Researchers restarting their careers
Eligible Host Organisations
Applicants must apply together with a host institution such as:
A university
A research institute
A company or SME
A government institution
A museum
A hospital
An NGO
Any eligible research organisation
Host organisations must be based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country.
Application Procedure
To apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026, follow these steps:
Identify an eligible host institution and supervisor
Develop a joint research proposal
Choose between European or Global Fellowship
Prepare all required application documents
Submit the proposal through the Horizon Europe funding portal
Wait for evaluation and results notification
Applicants are encouraged to begin preparation early due to the competitive nature of the programme.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 is:
9 September 2026
Results Timeline
The expected timeline for the 2026 fellowship cycle is:
February 2027: Notification of results
February to May 2027: Grant agreement signature
May 2027: First funded projects begin
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Who can apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026? Researchers from any nationality who hold a PhD degree and have no more than 8 years of postdoctoral research experience can apply for the European Fellowship. Global Fellowships are for EU nationals or long-term residents.
Is the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship fully funded? Yes, the fellowship provides full funding, including salary, mobility allowances, and research support for the duration of the project.
Can researchers from outside Europe apply? Yes, researchers from all countries can apply for the European Postdoctoral Fellowship, provided they meet the eligibility and mobility requirements.
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