European Commission (REA)
HORIZON-MSCA-2026-DN-01-01 — MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026
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MSCA Doctoral Networks funds collaborative doctoral training programmes across international consortia, with 3-4 year funding for PhD candidates across multiple academic and non-academic partner organisations. Early-stage researchers without a PhD can apply if they meet MSCA mobility rules, making this ideal for prospective doctoral candidates at institutions participating in a coordinated network. Calls run annually with a European-wide scope.
Details
| Funder | European Commission (REA) |
| Duration | 3-4 years |
| Consortium | Required — minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
Eligibility & scope
MSCA Doctoral Networks fund collaborative doctoral training programmes across a consortium of academic and non-academic organisations. Doctoral candidates (early-stage researchers) must not have a PhD and must comply with MSCA mobility rules (not resided/worked in host country >12 months in last 3 years). Proposals submitted in English.
Who Should Apply
- •Doctoral candidates without a PhD, meeting MSCA cross-border mobility rules
- •Academic and non-academic organisations forming international consortia (minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states)
- •Prospective PhD students based at participating host institutions
- •Research proposals with a strong training, mentoring and career-development component
Key Dates
- •Annual deadline (verify exact date on EU Funding & Tenders Portal)
- •Single or multi-stage written evaluation followed by panel assessment
- •3-4 year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The mobility rule is mandatory: applicants cannot have spent more than 12 months in the host country during the 3 years before deadline.
- ✓Consortia strength matters as much as individual candidate quality, weak partner complementarity will lower scores.
- ✓Articulate a clear structured training plan with named mentors and secondment opportunities; panels weight career development heavily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MSCA Doctoral Network and how long does it last?
An MSCA Doctoral Network is a collaborative doctoral training programme spanning 3-4 years across a consortium of academic and non-academic organisations across different EU member states.
Who can apply for MSCA Doctoral Networks?
Doctoral candidates (early-stage researchers without a PhD) who comply with MSCA mobility rules, specifically, not having resided or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years before the deadline.
Is a consortium required for MSCA Doctoral Networks?
Yes, a minimum of 3 entities from at least 3 different EU member states must form the consortium.
How often does the MSCA Doctoral Networks call run?
Annually, with deadlines published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
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