The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships stand as a cornerstone of international research mobility, offering early-career researchers unparalleled opportunities to advance their academic journeys at leading universities worldwide. As the European Union's flagship program for doctoral and postdoctoral training, these fellowships not only fund groundbreaking projects but also foster skills development and cross-border collaborations that shape the future of higher education.

In 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the program, the call opened on April 9 with a substantial €399 million budget aimed at supporting around 1,600 fellows. This initiative attracts talent from nearly 80 nationalities, enabling them to work at top-tier universities and research institutions across Europe and beyond. For higher education professionals, hosting or pursuing an MSCA fellowship means gaining access to cutting-edge resources, diverse perspectives, and networks that propel both individual careers and institutional excellence.

🌍 The Legacy and Evolution of MSCA Fellowships

Named after the pioneering physicist Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two scientific fields, the program began in 1996 under the Fourth Framework Programme. Over three decades, it has evolved into the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), emphasizing researcher training, mobility, and intersectoral exposure.

Today, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships target PhD holders seeking to enhance their expertise through international stints. Universities like the University of Oxford, ETH Zurich, and Sorbonne University frequently host fellows, leveraging the funding to bolster their research portfolios. The program's global reach ensures that higher education institutions benefit from influxes of innovative minds, driving publications, patents, and collaborative grants.

Types of Postdoctoral Fellowships Available

MSCA offers two main types tailored to different mobility needs:

• European Fellowships: Last 1-2 years at a host in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Ideal for researchers moving within or to Europe, promoting knowledge exchange in academic settings.
• Global Fellowships: Span 2-3 years, with 1-2 years outgoing in a non-associated third country (e.g., USA, Japan, Australia) followed by a 1-year return to Europe. Perfect for building international partnerships between universities.

Both allow secondments in non-academic sectors and optional placements, enriching academic profiles with practical insights.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

To qualify, applicants must hold a PhD (or have submitted their thesis) with no more than 8 years of full-time research experience from the award date. Career breaks, parental leave, and non-research periods don't count toward this limit.

The strict mobility rule requires no more than 12 months in the host country (or outgoing host for Global) in the 36 months before the deadline. All nationalities are welcome, making it a magnet for global talent in higher education. Host organizations—primarily universities—must provide a supportive environment with excellent supervision and training opportunities.

The 2026 Call: Key Dates, Budget, and Expectations

The 2026 call launched April 9, with submissions closing September 9 at 17:00 CEST via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. With €399 million allocated, it expects to fund ~1,600 projects across all disciplines, from life sciences (20.8% in 2025) to social sciences (23.4%).

Previous years saw 17,066 applications in 2025, yielding a 9.6% success rate (1,610 funded). Competition is fierce, but Seals of Excellence recognize high-scorers (≥85%) for national funding.

Universities play a pivotal role, with ~70% of beneficiaries being higher education institutions, enhancing their research capacity and international rankings.

Funding Breakdown: What Does a Fellowship Cover?

Fellows receive a living allowance (~€5,990/month gross, country-adjusted), mobility allowance (€710), and family allowance (€660 if applicable). Additional contributions cover research costs, training, and management.

For hosts like universities, this translates to full salary coverage, overheads, and resources for labs or conferences. Global fellowships add travel support for the return phase, ensuring seamless reintegration into European academia.

Explore the official MSCA budget details to see how it supports long-term career sustainability.

Photo by Sergio Martins on Unsplash

Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Find a Supervisor/Host: Use Euraxess or university portals; top hosts post openings.

2. Craft Proposal: Jointly with host, covering excellence (50% weight), impact (30%), implementation (20%). Scores 0-5 per criterion; threshold 4.0 overall, 3.0 per.

3. Submit Online: Via portal; self-assessment tool available.

4. Evaluation: Remote experts score; results February 2027.

Universities offer pre-submission support, boosting success.

• Tip: Align with EU priorities like green transition, digital innovation.
• Tip: Highlight two-way knowledge transfer between fellow and host.

Career Impact: Transforming Academic Trajectories

Surveys show 90% of fellows report improved career prospects; 95% with intersectoral experience value it highly. Post-MSCA, 87% secure employment, many in permanent academic roles.

For universities, fellows bring fresh ideas, leading to 2.3x skill gains and higher employability. Alumni often secure ERC grants or tenured positions, elevating host prestige.

University Hosting: Boosting Institutional Excellence

70% of hosts are universities, with leaders like KU Leuven, University of Cambridge hosting dozens annually. Benefits include talent attraction, collaborative networks, and funding leverage.

In 2025, projects spanned 27 countries, coordinated by EU unis, fostering global higher ed ties. MSCA statistics dashboard highlights top performers.

Success Stories from Higher Education

Dr. Neus Escobar, a recent Fellow of the Month, advanced her sustainable research career via mobility. At Yale during Global phase, she returned to Europe for tenure-track.

Universities like Sciences Po and IUSS Pavia actively recruit, sharing stories of fellows publishing in Nature, securing faculty roles.

Tips for a Competitive Application

- Demonstrate excellence: Novel objectives, credible methodology.

- Maximize impact: Career development, dissemination plans.

- Strong implementation: Risk management, supervision quality.

Seek university writing support; aim for ≥4.5/5 scores.

Future Outlook: MSCA in a Changing Academic Landscape

With Green Charter and support for researchers at risk, MSCA adapts to sustainability, inclusivity. 65,000 researchers to benefit under Horizon Europe, solidifying EU higher ed leadership.

As applications rise, universities must prioritize hosting to stay competitive globally.

Photo by Harati Project on Unsplash

In summary, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 offer transformative opportunities for researchers and universities alike. Whether pursuing or hosting, they drive innovation and career growth in higher education. Explore openings and prepare your proposal today.