# MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

**Funder:** European Commission (REA)
**Budget:** EUR 399.05 million (total call budget)
**Deadline:** 9 September 2026 (5 p.m. CEST; internal Carleton cuResearch Approval Form due September 2, 2026)
**Duration:** 12–24 months (European Fellowships); 24–36 months total (Global Fellowships: 12–24 months outgoing + 12 months return phase)
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states (Horizon Europe standard)
**Application:** Single stage: joint application by researcher and host institution submitted to the European Commission
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/funding/msca-postdoctoral-fellowships-2026
**Last verified:** 21 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to PhD holders of any nationality. European Fellowships: any nationality, hosted in EU/Associated Country. Global Fellowships: European nationals or long-term residents, outgoing phase at a non-associated Third Country (e.g. Canada/Carleton), mandatory 12-month return phase to EU/Associated Country host. Supports inter-sectoral, interdisciplinary, and international mobility; also open to career-restart and conflict-displaced researchers.

## Summary

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships fund experienced researchers to relocate across borders for 12-24 months (European Fellowship) or up to 36 months including a mandatory return phase (Global Fellowship), with living allowances, mobility grants, and family top-ups paid through the host institution. The call welcomes PhD holders of any nationality, with European Fellowships open in EU/Associated Countries and Global Fellowships supporting outgoing phases to non-associated countries followed by return to Europe. This annual call supports career-restart, reintegration, and displaced researchers alongside traditional postdoctoral mobility, and welcomes non-academic hosts.

## Who should apply

- PhD holders with up to 8 years of full-time research experience
- Researchers willing to relocate across borders to satisfy the mobility rule
- Applicants seeking a career restart, reintegration, or displaced-researcher support
- A strong fit between candidate, supervisor, and host research environment or non-academic sector partner
- Projects with a clear training and career-development plan

## Key dates

- Deadline 9 September 2026, 5 p.m. CEST
- Single-stage application; joint submission by researcher and host institution
- 12-24 months for European Fellowships; 24-36 months total for Global Fellowships (including 12-month return phase)

## Tips for applicants

- The cross-border mobility rule is gating: you cannot have lived in the host country more than 12 months in the 3 years before the deadline.
- Career-development and training plan score weight is high; frame your personal and scientific growth trajectory, not just the research hypothesis.
- Global Fellowships require a committed return-phase host; identify and secure this early, a weak or missing return commitment sinks the Global application.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long is an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?

European Fellowships run 12-24 months; Global Fellowships are 24-36 months total, comprising 12-24 months outgoing to a non-associated country plus a mandatory 12-month return to an EU/Associated Country host.

### Who is eligible for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?

PhD holders of any nationality for European Fellowships; Global Fellowships are limited to European nationals or long-term residents. All applicants must meet the cross-border mobility rule.

### Does the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship pay a salary?

It pays a living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowances (where applicable) through the host institution rather than a fixed salary.

### Can I apply to a non-academic organisation as a host?

Yes, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships explicitly support inter-sectoral mobility, including hosts in the private and public non-research sectors.

### What is the total budget for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026?

The total call budget is EUR 399.05 million.

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