European Commission
Postdoctoral Fellowships
2026 call deadline not stated on page; check the Funding & Tenders portal for HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01
Last updated:
No deadline is on file for this call. Check European Commission's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
REA Postdoctoral Fellowships fund early-career researchers to work abroad for 1-2 years (European track) or 2-3 years including a mandatory return phase (Global track), with living allowances, mobility costs, and family support paid through the host institution. European Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality; Global Fellowships restrict outgoing mobility to non-associated countries and require EU/Associated Country nationality or long-term residency. Applicants must be within 8 years of their PhD and satisfy strict cross-border mobility rules (no more than 12 months in the host country in the preceding three years).
Details
| Funder | European Commission |
| Duration | 1-3 years (European: 1-2 years; Global: 2-3 years incl. 1-year return phase) |
| Consortium | Required — consortium (Horizon Europe standard) |
| Application | Single stage |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
Eligibility & scope
Postdoctoral fellowships for researchers with a PhD and up to 8 years research experience, hosted at a university, research institution, business or SME in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country (European Fellowships) or requiring EU/Associated Country nationality for Global Fellowships. Mobility rule: applicant must not have resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years before the deadline.
Who Should Apply
- •Early-career researchers within 8 years of their PhD
- •Any nationality for European track; EU/Associated Country nationals or long-term residents for Global track
- •Applicants meeting the strict cross-border mobility rule (≤12 months in host country in prior 36 months)
- •Researchers with a named host supervisor and institution in an EU member state or associated country
- •Projects with a clear career-development and training plan
Key Dates
- •2026 call is open; consult the REA portal for the exact deadline
- •Single-stage application: researcher and host organisation apply jointly
- •1-2 year duration for European Fellowship; 2-3 years (incl. 1-year mandatory return) for Global Fellowship
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Mobility is a gating rule: verify you have not spent more than 12 months in the proposed host country in the 36 months before submission.
- ✓The Global Fellowship outgoing phase must be in a non-associated Third Country; the mandatory return year brings you back to an EU/Associated Country institution.
- ✓If your previous-year score was below 80%, check resubmission restrictions before investing effort in a reapplication.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a REA Postdoctoral Fellowship?
1-2 years for the European Fellowship; 2-3 years for the Global Fellowship, which includes a mandatory 1-year return phase in an EU/Associated Country.
Who is eligible for a REA Postdoctoral Fellowship?
Researchers within 8 years of their PhD. The European track is open to any nationality; the Global track requires EU/Associated Country nationality or long-term residency status.
What is the mobility rule for REA Postdoctoral Fellowships?
You must not have spent more than 12 months in the host country in the 36 months before your application deadline.
Does REA Postdoctoral Fellowship pay a salary?
No, it provides a living allowance, mobility costs, and family allowances (where applicable) through the host institution, rather than a fixed salary.
Can I reapply if my previous REA Postdoctoral Fellowship application scored below 80%?
Resubmission restrictions apply for scores below 80% from the prior year; check the funder's resubmission policy before planning a follow-up application.
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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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