# Horizon-Msca-2026-Cofund-01-01 — Msca Cofund 2026

**Funder:** European Commission (REA)
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states (Horizon Europe standard)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2026-COFUND-01-01
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

MSCA COFUND 2026: co-funds doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship programmes run by research organisations. Applicants must be legal entities in EU member states or associated countries. Mobility rules apply (fellows may not have resided in the host country for >12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment). Single-organisation applications are permitted (mono-beneficiary).

## Summary

MSCA COFUND 2026 co-funds doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship programmes run by research organisations across EU member states and associated countries. Eligible applicants are legal entities, universities, research institutes, and other organisations, that design and host their own structured fellowship schemes; single-organisation applications are permitted. The call runs annually and is part of the Horizon Europe mobility and training ecosystem.

## Who should apply

- Research organisations (universities, institutes, hospitals) in EU member states or associated countries
- Institutions designing and hosting their own doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship programmes
- Organisations able to meet Horizon Europe consortium rules (minimum 3 entities from 3 member states, or eligible for mono-beneficiary status)
- Institutions prepared to integrate MSCA mobility rules and training requirements into their scheme

## Key dates

- Annual deadline (check the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for the exact date)
- Single-stage evaluation
- Multi-year fellowship programme duration (institution-specific)

## Tips for applicants

- COFUND applicants must demonstrate how they will integrate European added value, mobility, training, and career development, beyond their existing institutional programmes.
- If you are applying as a mono-beneficiary, emphasise how your institution independently meets quality and mobility safeguards that a consortium would normally provide.
- The mobility rule is binding: fellows cannot have resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years before recruitment; build this clearly into your scheme design.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is MSCA COFUND 2026?

MSCA COFUND co-funds doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship programmes operated by research organisations, integrating mobility, training, and career development across the EU and associated countries.

### Who can apply for MSCA COFUND?

Legal entities (universities, research institutes, and other organisations) in EU member states or associated countries can apply as consortia (minimum 3 entities from 3 member states) or as single organisations.

### Is MSCA COFUND a mobility grant?

Yes; COFUND programmes must enforce the cross-border mobility rule, which stipulates that fellows cannot have resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment.

### Is MSCA COFUND 2026 annual?

Yes, MSCA COFUND runs on an annual cycle; check the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for the exact deadline.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/european-commission-rea-horizon-msca-2026-cofund-01-01-msca-cofund-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.