Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 offers researchers with a PhD an opportunity to advance their research careers through international mobility, skills development and collaboration with academic and non-academic organisations.
The programme is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under Horizon Europe and is open across research disciplines.
According to the information provided, the 2026 application deadline is 31 August 2026.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 Overview
- Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Funding year: 2026
- Research level: Postdoctoral
- Eligible disciplines: All research disciplines
- European Fellowship duration: 1–2 years
- Global Fellowship duration: 2–3 years
- Application deadline: 31 August 2026
- Host: University, research institution, business, SME or other eligible organisation
- Application: Researcher and host organisation apply jointly
About the Fellowship
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to support researchers’ careers and foster research excellence.
The programme targets researchers who hold a PhD and want to undertake research activities abroad, acquire new skills and strengthen their professional development.
Fellows can gain experience across countries, disciplines and, where applicable, non-academic sectors.
Types of Postdoctoral Fellowships
There are two main fellowship options.
1. European Postdoctoral Fellowships
European Postdoctoral Fellowships are available to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world.
The fellowship:
- Takes place in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
- Lasts between 1 and 2 years.
- Is open to researchers of any nationality.
This option can therefore provide international researchers with an opportunity to develop their research career within Europe.
2. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships
Global Postdoctoral Fellowships support research mobility outside Europe.
The fellowship lasts between 2 and 3 years, consisting of:
- 1–2 years in a non-associated Third Country; followed by
- A mandatory one-year return phase to an organisation in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
The Global Fellowship is restricted to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
PhD Requirement
Applicants should have a PhD by the application deadline.
Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally received their doctoral degree may also be considered eligible.
Research Experience
Applicants must have a maximum of eight years of research experience, calculated from the date their PhD was awarded.
The supplied programme information notes that certain periods do not count toward this maximum, including experience outside research and career breaks. Specific rules also apply to research experience in third countries for eligible nationals or long-term residents seeking to reintegrate into Europe.
Mobility Requirement
Applicants must also satisfy the mobility rule.
For a European Postdoctoral Fellowship, researchers must not have lived or carried out their main activity in the country of the beneficiary for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
For a Global Postdoctoral Fellowship, the relevant mobility restriction applies to the host organisation for the outgoing phase.
Applicants should carefully check the official mobility rules before submitting their application.
Funding and Benefits
The European Union provides financial support to the beneficiary organisation for the fellowship.
Support for the researcher includes:
- Living allowance
- Mobility allowance
- Family allowance, where applicable
- Long-term leave allowance, where applicable
- Special needs allowance, where applicable
Additional funding supports:
- Research activities
- Training activities
- Networking activities
- Management and indirect costs
The programme can therefore provide financial support not only for the researcher but also for activities necessary to carry out the proposed research project.
Additional Placement Opportunities
Postdoctoral Fellows may receive additional support for a placement of up to six months in a non-academic organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
The placement must take place at the end of the fellowship and is intended to help strengthen links between academic research and the non-academic sector.
Short-term secondments may also be included during the fellowship, subject to the programme rules.
How to Apply
Researchers must develop their application jointly with a host organisation.
Eligible host organisations can include:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Businesses
- SMEs
- Other eligible organisations
Applicants should first identify a suitable host and work with the organisation or proposed supervisor to develop the research proposal.
Start the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship application
Researchers can also look for potential hosting opportunities through EURAXESS and research institutions that publish expressions of interest.
Find MSCA hosting offers on EURAXESS
Important 2026 Changes
The supplied MSCA information notes that resubmission restrictions apply from 2026 to applications that received a score below 80% in the previous year.
The programme also awards a Seal of Excellence to applications receiving a total score of 85% or higher that cannot be funded because of insufficient available budget.
Applicants should therefore review the 2026 programme rules and application documents carefully before preparing their proposal.
How the Application Process Works
The application process generally involves:
- Finding an eligible host organisation.
- Developing a research project with the host.
- Preparing the MSCA application and supporting documentation.
- Submitting the proposal through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
- Undergoing the programme’s evaluation process.
- If selected, completing the fellowship with the host organisation.
The host organisation submits the completed proposal on behalf of the researcher.
Application Deadline
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 application deadline is 31 August 2026, based on the information supplied.
Researchers should not wait until the final day to submit because the proposal must be prepared jointly with a host organisation and requires supporting documentation.
Final Thoughts
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 is a major international research opportunity for PhD holders seeking to strengthen their research careers through international mobility, professional development and collaboration.
With opportunities across all research disciplines, researchers can pursue European or Global Postdoctoral Fellowships depending on their nationality, residency, mobility history and proposed research destination.
Interested researchers should identify a suitable host organisation, review the detailed eligibility rules and prepare their proposal ahead of the 31 August 2026 deadline.
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