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Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships
by European Commission · Any eligible university, research institution, business, or SME in an EU Member State or Associated Country
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🔴 Closed (Next call opens April 2025)🎓 Postdoctoral🌍 EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries📌 Merit-based Research Fellowship
Approximately €5,080 monthly living allowance (multiplied by country coefficient) + €600 mobility allowance
Duration
12 to 24 months (European Fellowships) or 24 to 36 months (Global Fellowships)
Deadline
September 11, 2024 (Annual cycle, next expected September 2025)
Level
Postdoctoral
Acceptance
Approximately 14.5% for the 2023 call
Difficulty
Very High
Quick Summary
European Commission offers Horizon Europe Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The award covers Provides a competitive salary (living allowance), mobility allowance, and family allowance for the researcher, plus a monthly budget for research expenses and institutional overheads. and is open to postdoctoral students studying all research fields (bottom-up approach, including stem, social sciences, and humanities). The scholarship runs for 12 to 24 months (european fellowships) or 24 to 36 months (global fellowships). Eligibility is generally based on open to researchers of any nationality who possess a PhD, have not resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years, and have less than 8 years of research experience. The application deadline is September 11, 2024 (Annual cycle, next expected September 2025), with an acceptance rate of approximately Approximately 14.5% for the 2023 call. Competition for this scholarship varies year to year, so early preparation of required documents is recommended.
✨ Should I Apply for Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
17%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
13% to 15%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately €5,080 monthly living allowance (multiplied by country coefficient) + €600 mobility allowance
⏳
Duration
12 to 24 months (European Fellowships) or 24 to 36 months (Global Fellowships)
📅
Deadline
September 11, 2024 (Annual cycle, next expected September 2025)
🔬
Fields
All research fields (Bottom-up approach, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Humanities)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 1,200 to 1,300 per year
🌏
Study Country
EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries
🏛️
Provider
European Commission
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 14.5% for the 2023 call
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships enhance the creative and innovative potential of researchers holding a PhD and who wish to acquire new skills through advanced training, international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility. It is the flagship European funding program for postdoctoral research.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to researchers of any nationality who possess a PhD, have not resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years, and have less than 8 years of research experience.
🏛️ Host University
Any eligible university, research institution, business, or SME in an EU Member State or Associated Country
🤝 Sponsor
European Research Executive Agency (REA)
🔬 Fields of Study
All research fields (Bottom-up approach, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Humanities)
✨ Key Benefits
Provides a competitive salary (living allowance), mobility allowance, and family allowance for the researcher, plus a monthly budget for research expenses and institutional overheads.
Yes, approximately €5,080 per month (subject to country correction factors)
Total Award
Approximately €5,080 monthly living allowance (multiplied by country coefficient) + €600 mobility allowance
✈️ Travel: Yes, included as part of the €600 monthly mobility allowance and potential travel costs in research budget🏠 Accommodation: Indirectly covered through the mobility and living allowances💊 Health Insurance: Yes, social security and health coverage are mandatory components of the employment contract🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Not Applicable
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, approximately €5,080 per month (subject to country correction factors)
🏡 Accommodation
Indirectly covered through the mobility and living allowances
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, included as part of the €600 monthly mobility allowance and potential travel costs in research budget
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, social security and health coverage are mandatory components of the employment contract
🎁 Other Benefits
Family allowance (€660/month if applicable), long-term leave allowance, special needs allowance, and research/training/networking budget (€1,000/month)
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable; however, researchers may apply for other MSCA actions in the future.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must have a PhD degree at the call deadline, max 8 years research experience post-PhD, and meet mobility requirements.
🎓 Academic Level
Postdoctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
Varies (Evaluation is based on research excellence and publication record rather than GPA)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency required (level determined by host institution/project needs)
🍢 Age Limit
None (Restricted by research experience years rather than chronological age)
💼 Work Experience
Maximum 8 years of full-time equivalent research experience since the date of PhD award
🏆 Leadership
Demonstrated through the ability to lead the proposed research project and professional development plan
💰 Financial Need
No
🎯 Target Students
Postdoctoral Researchers / Early-career Academics
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Comprehensive 10-page research proposal and career development plan)
Rec Letters
No (Host institution must provide a letter of commitment)
Interview
No
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
No (Host institution must provide a letter of commitment) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Proficiency required (level determined by host institution/project needs)
Interview: No
Min GPA: Varies (Evaluation is based on research excellence and publication record rather than GPA)
📋 Application Process
Focus heavily on the 'Excellence' section which weighs 50%; ensure your host supervisor is an expert in your specific niche.
💡 Insider Tip: Highlight the 'Impact' of the fellowship on your long-term career and how it contributes to European research priorities.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
April 10, 2024
⏰ Deadline
September 11, 2024 (Annual cycle, next expected September 2025)
🎤 Interview
No
🎓 Study Starts
8 to 15 months after the application deadline
April 10, 2024
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
September 11, 2024 (Annual cycle, next expected September 2025)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
8 to 15 months after the application deadline
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), Quality and efficiency of implementation (20%)
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral FellowshipsCurrent
EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries
Open to researchers of any nationality who possess a PhD, have not resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years, and have less than 8 years of research experience.
This scholarship covers: Provides a competitive salary (living allowance), mobility allowance, and family allowance for the researcher, plus a monthly budget for research expenses and institutional overheads.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is September 11, 2024 (Annual cycle, next expected September 2025). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: 13% to 15%. Acceptance rate: Approximately 14.5% for the 2023 call. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency required (level determined by host institution/project needs), No (Host institution must provide a letter of commitment) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.