# Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships

**Funder:** MSCA
**Budget:** €59,857,539 total call budget
**Deadline:** 9 September 2026
**Consortium:** No - individual researcher; outgoing phase hosted by an associated partner organisation in a third country, return phase in an EU Member State or Associated Country
**Application:** Single-stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01
**Last updated:** 6 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

MSCA Global Fellowships involve an outgoing phase in a third country and a mandatory return phase to an EU Member State or Associated Country; restricted to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States/Associated Countries; full-time, up to 8 years post-PhD experience.

## Summary

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, Global Fellowships fund experienced researchers to undertake 12-24 month placements with an outgoing phase at a non-EU/non-Associated Country organisation followed by a mandatory return phase to an EU or Associated Country host. The call targets researchers with a PhD and up to 8 years of full-time research experience, open to EU nationals and long-term residents of Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Global Fellowships are annual, with results published after each autumn deadline.

## Who should apply

- Researchers with a PhD and up to 8 years full-time research experience
- EU nationals or long-term residents of Horizon Europe Associated Countries
- Applicants able to relocate abroad then return to an EU/Associated Country host institution
- Projects with a clear training and career-development plan across both phases

## Key dates

- Deadline: 9 September 2026, 17:00 CEST
- Single-stage written evaluation
- 12-24 month fellowship duration (outgoing phase + mandatory return phase)

## Tips for applicants

- The mandatory return phase is non-negotiable; ensure your return-host institution is committed and credible before submission.
- Career development and training value across both phases carries heavy weight, structure your proposal to show clear gains from the outgoing phase that you will bring back.
- The outgoing-phase host must be in a non-EU/non-Associated Country; verify eligibility of the country and institution before designing your project.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, Global Fellowships?

A 12-24 month fellowship combining an outgoing phase at a non-EU/non-Associated Country organisation with a mandatory return phase to an EU or Associated Country host. It funds experienced researchers to build international research experience and return expertise to Europe.

### Who is eligible for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, Global Fellowships?

Researchers with a PhD and up to 8 years of full-time research experience who are EU nationals or long-term residents of Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

### What is the mandatory return phase?

After the outgoing phase abroad, fellows must spend at least 12 months back at a host institution in an EU Member State or Associated Country to consolidate and disseminate their learning.

### When is the deadline for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, Global Fellowships 2026?

The deadline is 9 September 2026, 17:00 CEST for single-stage written evaluation.

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

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