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Phd / University of Padua

University of Padua MSCA MaRaThoN Training Program 2026, Italy

Scholarship
Italy
On-site
Published Mar 11, 2026

Overview

The MSCA MaRaThoN is a high-level proposal development training program focused on improving researchers’ chances of securing one of Europe’s most competitive postdoctoral fellowships.

Participants will receive guidance on:

Description

The MSCA MaRaThoN is a high-level proposal development training program focused on improving researchers’ chances of securing one of Europe’s most competitive postdoctoral fellowships.

Participants will receive guidance on:

Structuring a successful MSCA proposal

Writing the excellence, impact, and implementation sections

Aligning research projects with Horizon Europe priorities

Developing strong collaboration with host research groups

The program is organized by the University International Research Office at the University of Padua and has become a flagship training initiative for researchers preparing for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships .

Eligibility

To apply for the MSCA MaRaThoN program, applicants must:

Hold a PhD degree
Be experienced researchers planning to apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship
Intend to submit their fellowship proposal with the University of Padua as the host institution
Meet the mobility requirements under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Be available to attend the full training program
Researchers from any nationality and discipline are eligible to apply.

Additional Information

Program Overview

The MSCA MaRaThoN is a high-level proposal development training program focused on improving researchers’ chances of securing one of Europe’s most competitive postdoctoral fellowships.

Participants will receive guidance on:

Structuring a successful MSCA proposal
Writing the excellence, impact, and implementation sections
Aligning research projects with Horizon Europe priorities
Developing strong collaboration with host research groups
The program is organized by the University International Research Office at the University of Padua and has become a flagship training initiative for researchers preparing for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships .

Host Institution

The program takes place at the University of Padua , one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Italy . The university hosts numerous Marie Curie fellows and offers a dynamic research environment across multiple disciplines.
Researchers selected for the program will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading research groups and interdisciplinary networks within the university.

Program Duration

The MSCA MaRaThoN training program runs for three days , where participants will attend:

Intensive proposal writing workshops
Interactive training sessions
Research networking opportunities
Proposal evaluation guidance
The training helps researchers refine their proposals before submitting them to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship call .

Degree Level

This program targets researchers applying for:

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
Applicants must already hold a PhD degree and be interested in conducting research abroad through the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme.

Available Subjects

The MSCA MaRaThoN program is open to researchers from all academic disciplines, including:

Natural Sciences
Engineering and Technology
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions encourage interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.

Benefits

Although MSCA MaRaThoN is a training program rather than a direct scholarship, it provides significant benefits for researchers aiming to secure MSCA funding.

Participants will receive:

Expert guidance on writing competitive MSCA proposals
Direct preparation for Horizon Europe Postdoctoral Fellowships
Opportunities to connect with research groups at the University of Padua
Increased chances of securing European Commission-funded fellowships
Access to the MSCA research community
Researchers whose proposals receive the Seal of Excellence with a high score may also qualify for alternative institutional funding programs at the University of Padua.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to applicants of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the MSCA MaRaThoN program, applicants must:

Hold a PhD degree
Be experienced researchers planning to apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship
Intend to submit their fellowship proposal with the University of Padua as the host institution
Meet the mobility requirements under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Be available to attend the full training program
Researchers from any nationality and discipline are eligible to apply.

Application Procedure

The application process for the MSCA MaRaThoN training program involves several steps.

Step 1 Identify A Research Supervisor

Applicants should first identify a potential research group or supervisor at the University of Padua whose work aligns with their research idea.

Step 2 Prepare Application Materials

Candidates should prepare the following:

Academic CV
Research concept or project idea
Information relevant to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal

Step 3 Submit Online Application

Applicants must complete the online application form through the official MSCA MaRaThoN webpage of the University of Padua.

Step 4 Await Selection Results

Selected participants will be invited to attend the intensive training sessions and refine their MSCA proposals.

Why This Program Matters

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship funded by the European Commission is considered one of the most prestigious postdoctoral funding opportunities in Europe. It provides:

Competitive salary
Mobility allowance
Research funding
International research collaboration
Participating in the MSCA MaRaThoN program significantly increases the chances of developing a successful fellowship proposal.

Application Deadline

Applications for the MSCA MaRaThoN program must be submitted before the official deadline on the University of Padua website.
Researchers interested in applying for the Horizon Europe MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship are strongly encouraged to participate in this training program to improve their proposal success rate.

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

What is the MSCA MaRaThoN program at the University of Padua? The MSCA MaRaThoN is an intensive training program that helps researchers prepare competitive proposals for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Who can apply for the MSCA MaRaThoN training program? Researchers holding a PhD degree from any country and discipline who plan to apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship with the University of Padua as host.
Is the MSCA MaRaThoN a fully funded scholarship? The program itself is a proposal training initiative, but it prepares researchers to apply for the fully funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship funded by the European Commission.

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Funding

Fully Funded

Organization

University of Padua

Degree

Fellowship, Post Doctorate

Subjects

All Subjects

Nationality

International Students

Country

Italy

Source

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