Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MSCA Doctoral Networks
Multi-partner consortia training cohorts of PhD researchers in joint doctoral programmes across Europe.
About the MSCA Doctoral Networks
MSCA Doctoral Networks (DN) fund coordinated PhD training programmes run by consortia of academic and non-academic partners. Each network recruits a cohort of doctoral candidates who receive a structured training experience combining research, industry exposure, transferable skills, and international mobility. Networks can be Joint Doctorates (formal joint degree from multiple institutions) or Industrial Doctorates (at least 50% private-sector placement). Funding covers PhD salaries (~€3,400/month gross + country correction), research costs, mobility allowance, and a training component per candidate. Consortia typically include 6-10 beneficiaries across 3+ EU/associated countries plus associate partners (industry, hospitals, policymakers). DNs are evaluated on research excellence, training quality, consortium quality, and impact on careers.
Key facts
- Type
- Joint / Industrial / Standard DN
- Consortium size
- 3+ countries minimum
- Candidate cohort
- Typically 10–15 recruits
- Duration
- 4–5 years
- Success rate
- ~10–15%
Who is eligible?
- •Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities in 3 different EU/associated countries
- •PhD candidates recruited must satisfy MSCA mobility rule at recruitment
- •Candidates must not yet hold a doctoral degree
- •Host institutions must be able to award or jointly award a doctoral degree
Frequently asked questions
+What is the difference between Joint, Industrial, and Standard Doctoral Networks?
Standard DN offers coordinated training across the consortium. Joint DN awards a joint or double doctoral degree from multiple institutions. Industrial DN requires at least 50% of the doctoral time spent in the non-academic sector (industry, NGOs, public administration).
+How many PhD candidates can a network recruit?
There is no strict cap, but typical networks recruit 10–15 doctoral candidates. The number is justified by the research plan and training structure; cohorts larger than 20 require strong justification.
+Do candidates need to hold EU nationality?
No. MSCA is open to researchers of any nationality. Candidates must satisfy the mobility rule at recruitment: they must not have resided in the recruiting country for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior.
+How competitive are Doctoral Networks?
Success rates are typically 10–15%. Competition is intense because DNs are attractive for institutional strategy as well as research — they bring high-quality PhD cohorts and EU branding.
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