Job Description

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF)

Funding Organisation: European Commission
Framework Programme: Horizon Europe
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Call Reference: HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01

Programme Overview

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) support excellent researchers holding a PhD who wish to strengthen their creative and innovative potential through advanced training, international mobility and interdisciplinary research.

The programme aims to help researchers acquire new skills, expand their research expertise and advance their academic or professional careers through international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral collaboration.

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers from any nationality under the European Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme. The programme also encourages research and innovation projects in the non-academic sector and supports researchers seeking to reintegrate into Europe, those displaced by conflict and researchers with high potential who wish to restart their research careers.

Applications are submitted jointly by the researcher and a beneficiary organisation in the academic or non-academic sector.

Fellowship Types

1. European Postdoctoral Fellowships

European Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers of any nationality who wish to undertake research and innovation projects in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.

These fellowships are available to researchers moving to Europe from any country worldwide or moving between eligible European countries.

Duration: 12–24 months.

2. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships support European nationals and long-term residents who wish to conduct research with organisations in countries outside the EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

These fellowships consist of two phases:

• Outgoing phase: 12–24 months at a host organisation in a non-associated Third Country.
• Return phase: A mandatory 12-month period at a host organisation in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Research Opportunities and Objectives

The programme supports research and innovation projects across disciplines and encourages researchers to develop their expertise through:

• Advanced research training and acquisition of new skills.
• International research mobility and collaboration.
• Interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange.
• Cooperation between academic and non-academic sectors.
• Development of innovative research approaches and technologies.
• Career development and professional growth.
• Research reintegration and career restart opportunities.

The programme also supports researchers interested in transferring their expertise into non-academic research and innovation environments.

Indicative 2026 Call Information

Call Reference: HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01

• Opening Date: 9 April 2026.
• Submission Deadline: 9 September 2026, 17:00 CEST.
• Indicative Budget: €434 million.
• Results Notification: February 2027 (indicative).
• Grant Agreement Signature: April 2027 (indicative).
• First EU-funded Projects: May 2027 (indicative).

The 2026 call deadline has passed. These dates relate to the 2026 call and should not be treated as the confirmed schedule for the 2027 call.

Application Process

Applications must be prepared jointly by the researcher and a suitable beneficiary organisation in the academic or non-academic sector.

Applicants should identify an appropriate host organisation and research supervisor, develop a research proposal and submit the application through the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal in accordance with the relevant call requirements.

Application Guidance:
https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/node/866

European Commission Funding & Tenders Portal – 2026 Call:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01

Official MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Page:
https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/calls/msca-postdoctoral-fellowships-2026

2027 Call Information

A September 2027 application deadline has been indicated for the anticipated 2027 call, but the supplied official page describes the 2026 call. Applicants should check the European Commission’s official MSCA website for the publication of the 2027 call, its reference number, opening date, deadline and updated eligibility requirements.