Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship
Monthly stipend of €5,080+ for 12–36 months of international mobility for postdoctoral researchers.
About the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships fund international mobility for postdoctoral researchers. Two variants exist: European Fellowships (12–24 months in an EU or Associated Country) and Global Fellowships (12–24 months outside Europe plus a mandatory 12-month return phase, totalling 24–36 months). The fellowship provides a monthly living allowance of €5,080 (with country correction coefficients), a €1,000 mobility allowance, and additional family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances where applicable. Eligibility requires a PhD and up to 8 years of full-time research experience post-PhD at the call deadline. The strict "mobility rule" requires that applicants have not resided or carried out their main activity in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the deadline. MSCA is evaluated on excellence (50%), impact (30%), and implementation (20%).
Key facts
- Type
- European + Global Fellowships
- Monthly living
- €5,080 (before corrections)
- Duration
- 12–36 months
- Mobility rule
- ≤12 months in host country (36 mo lookback)
- Success rate
- 15–18% across panels
Who is eligible?
- •PhD awarded at the call deadline
- •Maximum 8 years full-time research experience post-PhD
- •Mobility rule: ≤12 months residence/activity in host country in the 36 months before the deadline
- •Of any nationality; host institution must be in an eligible country
Frequently asked questions
+When is the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship deadline?
MSCA typically runs one annual call with a deadline in September. The exact date is published in the Horizon Europe Work Programme. See our live deadlines table for the current cycle.
+What does the MSCA mobility rule mean for me?
You cannot have resided or worked primarily in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the deadline. Short stays (conferences, vacations) do not count. This rule is strictly enforced — double-check before investing in a proposal.
+Can I apply for MSCA if I already have permanent employment?
Typically no — MSCA is designed for researchers who will transition to a new host institution. The supervisor at the host institution must employ you for the duration of the fellowship, and you must not have a permanent contract at that host.
+Can I do an MSCA in my home country?
Not usually. European Fellowships require mobility INTO a country different from where you've recently lived. Global Fellowships require going OUT of Europe and then returning — the return phase is the only case where you end up in your home region.
+How much does "where you do the MSCA" matter for career trajectory?
A lot. The host supervisor's reputation, the group's training environment, and the institutional resources all shape the career development plan. Evaluators specifically assess whether the host is the right match for your trajectory.
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