Deadline: 09-Sep-2026
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships support experienced researchers worldwide to conduct advanced research in Europe and internationally through fully funded mobility programmes. The scheme offers European and Global Fellowships across all disciplines, including science, health, humanities, and engineering, with funding for salary, research costs, and mobility support.
Eligible applicants must hold a PhD and have up to eight years of postdoctoral research experience, with extensions possible for career breaks. The programme promotes international collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and career development through global mobility and institutional placements.
Overview of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships are part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. They support:
- International research mobility
- Advanced postdoctoral training
- Career development of researchers
- Interdisciplinary and intersectoral research
- Global scientific collaboration
The fellowship is open to all research fields, including:
- Natural sciences
- Engineering
- Health sciences
- Social sciences
- Humanities
- Mathematical and computational research
Types of Fellowships
European Fellowships
European Fellowships support researchers who want to:
- Move to Europe from any country (including Latin America and the Caribbean)
- Or move between European countries
Key features:
- Duration: 1–2 years
- Host: EU Member States or Horizon Europe-associated countries
- Open to all nationalities
Eligible regions for incoming researchers include:
Global Fellowships
Global Fellowships support:
- Researchers based in Europe going to third countries (e.g., Latin America and Caribbean)
Structure:
- Up to 2 years in a third country (e.g., Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico)
- Mandatory 1-year return phase in Europe
Additional features:
- Up to 50% secondment to another organisation worldwide
- Optional 6-month placement in a non-academic European organisation
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD degree
- Have no more than 8 years of postdoctoral research experience
Eligibility reference:
- PhD obtained after 09 September 2018 (for 2026 call) is generally eligible
Extensions are allowed for:
- Parental leave
- Maternity/paternity leave
- Career breaks
- Military or national service
- Long-term illness
- Non-research employment periods
Funding Coverage
The fellowship typically covers:
- Researcher salary (2 years)
- Mobility allowance
- Research and training costs
- Institutional overheads
Additional support may include:
- Family allowance
- Special needs allowance
Key Objectives
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to:
- Strengthen research careers
- Promote international mobility
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
- Support knowledge exchange across countries
- Improve research innovation and impact
The programme also supports:
- Academic-to-industry collaboration
- Cross-sector mobility
- Global scientific cooperation
Why This Programme Matters
MSCA Fellowships are highly competitive and designed to:
- Develop independent researchers
- Expand global research networks
- Improve research quality and innovation
- Strengthen Europe’s scientific leadership
- Support career progression in academia and beyond
They also help researchers gain:
- International exposure
- Advanced methodological skills
- Cross-sector experience
- Leadership in research projects
Conclusion
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 provide fully funded opportunities for experienced researchers to conduct high-level research in Europe and worldwide. By supporting international mobility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and career development, the programme strengthens global research capacity and fosters scientific excellence across disciplines.
For more information, visit European Commission.