# MSCA Doctoral Networks

**Funder:** European Commission
**Budget:** €593,033,846 total call budget
**Deadline:** 24 November 2026 (Call opens 28 May 2026)
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries (at least one in a Member State)
**Application:** Single-stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2026-DN-01-01
**Last updated:** 14 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Covers MSCA Doctoral Networks, Joint Doctorates (joint/double/multiple doctoral degrees) and Industrial Doctorates (mandatory non-academic sector involvement); beneficiaries must recruit and host doctoral candidates under full employment contracts.

## Summary

MSCA Doctoral Networks, funded by the European Commission, support consortia that recruit and employ doctoral candidates under full employment contracts to deliver joint research training programmes. The call covers standard Doctoral Networks, Joint Doctorates (joint, double or multiple degrees) and Industrial Doctorates, which require a non-academic partner. With a total call budget of €593 million, it is one of the largest recurring Horizon Europe instruments for doctoral training.

## Who should apply

- Consortium coordinators at universities, research institutes or companies planning to host doctoral candidates
- Organisations able to offer full employment contracts to recruited PhD candidates
- Consortia spanning at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries
- Industry partners interested in co-supervising Industrial Doctorates
- Institutions pursuing joint, double or multiple doctoral degrees through Joint Doctorates

## Key dates

- Call opens 28 May 2026, with a deadline of 24 November 2026
- Single-stage application process
- Annual call frequency

## Tips for applicants

- Secure at least one non-academic partner early if pursuing the Industrial Doctorates strand, this involvement is mandatory, not optional.
- Build the consortium around genuine complementary training capacity, not just geographic spread, since the minimum 3-country, 3-entity rule is a floor, not a target.
- Budget time for drafting employment contracts and recruitment plans, since beneficiaries must demonstrate they can host candidates under full employment terms.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the budget for MSCA Doctoral Networks?

The total call budget is €593,033,846, distributed across funded consortia.

### When is the MSCA Doctoral Networks deadline?

The call opens 28 May 2026 and the deadline is 24 November 2026.

### How many partners are needed for MSCA Doctoral Networks?

A consortium needs a minimum of 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries, with at least one entity in a Member State.

### What is the difference between Doctoral Networks, Joint Doctorates and Industrial Doctorates?

Joint Doctorates lead to joint, double or multiple doctoral degrees, while Industrial Doctorates require mandatory involvement of a non-academic sector partner; both are strands within the broader Doctoral Networks call.

### Is the MSCA Doctoral Networks application single-stage or two-stage?

It is a single-stage application process.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/european-commission-msca-doctoral-networks-2026-11) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md&grant=european-commission-msca-doctoral-networks-2026-11).