MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 under Horizon Europe. Apply for fully funded scholarships here. The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 offer one of the most prestigious research awards in global academia, operating directly within the Horizon Europe framework programme. Administered by the European Research Executive Agency, the MSCA PF 2027 call empowers exceptional post-doctoral researchers to lead cutting-edge scientific enquiries. By placing a core focus on international mobility and interdisciplinary research, the scheme delivers substantial financial backing through a generous European Commission grant.
| University / Host Institution | Degree Level | Scholarship Coverage | Eligible Nationality | Award Country | Last Date |
| EU Member States & Horizon Europe Associated Institutions | Postdoctoral (PhD Required) | Fully Funded (Living Allowance + Mobility + Family + Research Costs) | All Nationalities Worldwide | EU Member States, Associated Countries, Global Third Countries | September 9, 2026 (2026 Call) / September 2027 (2027 Call) |
This flagship postdoctoral research funding initiative serves as a major driver for advanced career development, accelerating high-impact scientific innovation across every field of study.
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MSCA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW
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| Managing Body : European Research Executive Agency (REA) |
| Target Audience : Postdoctoral Researchers holding a PhD |
| Fellowship Length : 12 to 36 Months (European or Global Track) |
| Core Model : Fully Funded Salary + Mobility + Research Budget |
| Target Intake : 1,600+ Awardees Annually Across All Disciplines |
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Recipients of these competitive academic research grants benefit from the structured research and innovation framework established by the European Union. Scholars build extensive global research networks while working in top-tier European host organisations across academia and industry. Supported by a massive total budget allocation exceeding €390 million annually, this comprehensive research mobility grant provides a transformative postdoctoral fellowship scheme. Despite a highly competitive selection rate, candidates who demonstrate exceptional vision gain access to unparalleled cross-border collaboration and strategic European funding.
FELLOWSHIP PATHWAY DYNAMICS
[ European Postdoctoral Track ] ──> 12 to 24 Months in EU/Associated Country
│
▼
[ Global Postdoctoral Track ] ──> 12 to 24 Months Outgoing Third Country
+ Mandatory 12 Months EU Return Phase
At its core, the award promotes scientific excellence by removing geographical barriers for postdoctoral researcher mobility. Operating as a flexible individual fellowship framework, the initiative strongly emphasises non-academic sector integration by encouraging secondments in private enterprises, government agencies, and cultural institutions. This dynamic approach fosters global scientific mobility and supports long-term research career acceleration. Whether addressing climate technology, biomedical advancements, or social policy, the fellowship spans all priority scientific domains within the broader European Research Area. Earning this European Union grant represents a career-defining career development award.
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SELECTION & GRANT EXECUTION TIMELINE
[ Call Opens: Apr ] ──> [ Deadline: Sep ] ──> [ Results: Feb ] ──> [ Project Start: May ]
Strategic Overview of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Scheme
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions represent the flagship mobility initiative of the European Union, built upon a unique MSCA programme architecture. A defining characteristic of this award is its strict bottom-up research approach, which allows researchers to propose projects across all scientific disciplines without prescriptive thematic calls. Understanding the core pillars of MSCA reveals a strong emphasis on bidirectional knowledge exchange, deep intersectoral mobility, and dedicated non-academic placements.
PROGRAM ARCHITECTURE PILLARS
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Bottom-Up Individual Research │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│ │
▼ ▼
┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────────────┐
│ Academic Host Excellence │ │ Intersectoral Mobility │
│ (Universities/Institutes) │ │ (Industry/SMEs/Non-Profit)│
└───────────────────────────┘ └───────────────────────────┘
│ │
▼ ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Advanced Career Development & Transferable Skills │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Winning proposals depend heavily on a solid host institution partnership and an active supervisor match. Institutions leverage these grants for research talent acquisition, while researchers gain mandatory training in transferable skills training, rigorous open science practices, and structural gender equality dimensions. Applicants must integrate an effective public engagement strategy alongside a clear commercialisation of research plan where relevant. By outlining a structured research impact pathway and protecting basic academic freedom, the scheme strengthens the overall European research ecosystem.
PROJECT DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX
Core Research (Part B1) : Advanced Scientific Methodology & State-of-the-Art
Career Development Plan : Transferable Skills, Grant Writing, Public Outreach
Supervision & Facilities : Infrastructure Access, Mentorship, Industry Placement
Fellows secure full research infrastructure access backed by formal host agreement obligations. Because every application requires a joint proposal submission between the post-doc and the host institution, identifying a supportive principal investigator mentor is essential. Together, they construct an interdisciplinary project design featuring a detailed career development plan that maps out the researcher’s personal research trajectory. Evaluators closely inspect the research methodology rigour, intellectual property rights strategy, and international co-operation framework to ensure the project delivers truly innovative research ideas.
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Detailed Financial Breakdown and Monthly Allowance Structure
The financial package is exceptional, featuring a baseline living allowance of 5080 euros per month. To offset mobility costs, the scheme provides a supplemental mobility allowance of 600 euros per month, alongside a family allowance of 660 euros per month for eligible researchers. Special provisions include a long-term leave allowance and a special needs allowance to ensure full accessibility.
FINANCIAL UNIT COST MATRIX
┌──────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Living Allowance │ ~€5,080 / month (Subject to Coefficient)│
│ Mobility Allowance │ €600 / month (Standard for all fellows) │
│ Family Allowance │ €660 / month (If eligible) │
│ Institutional & Research Cost│ €1,000 / month (Training & Networking) │
│ Management & Overhead Cost │ €1,000 / month (Host Institution Unit) │
└──────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────┘
Host institutions receive institutional unit contributions, including management and indirect costs of 1000 euros per month and research training and networking costs of 1000 euros per month. Budgeting relies on a gross institutional unit cost calculation adjusted by a correction coefficient country multiplier to reflect local living costs across Europe. Fellowship arrangements require a formal employment contract with full social security coverage, which accounts for local tax and social contributions before determining net salary.
GROSS TO NET SALARY CALCULATION
[ Base Unit: (€5,080 + €600) ] ──> Multiplied by Country Correction Coefficient
──> Subject to Host Country Taxes & Social Security
──> Direct Monthly Payroll to Fellow
Part of the award serves as a host organisation overhead contribution, while the majority provides direct financial support to guarantee a highly competitive monthly salary. These funds cover essential research mobility expenses, the conference travel budget, publication costs, laboratory consumable funding, and a dedicated field research allowance. Together with a potential relocation grant, this fully funded postdoctoral position delivers a robust comprehensive remuneration package.
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Rigorous Eligibility Criteria and PhD Seniority Guidelines
Candidates must fulfil a strict PhD degree requirement by the official call deadline. Applicants must have successfully defended their doctoral thesis even if the formal degree certificate has not yet been issued. Furthermore, candidates must respect the maximum eight years’ research experience rule, which caps eligible post-PhD experience at eight years. This 8-year post-PhD limit is calculated strictly using full-time equivalent research experience.
ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST
[✓] PhD Degree Completed or Thesis Defended by Call Deadline
[✓] Maximum 8 Years of Post-PhD Full-Time Research Experience
[✓] Strict Mobility Rule: <12 Months Residency in Host Country in past 36 Months
[✓] Resubmission Cap: Minimum 80% Score Required on Prior Attempt
Specific exceptions allow researchers to deduct time for documented career breaks, exceptions including a maternity leave extension (18 months per child or actual duration) or a paternity leave extension. Deductions also apply for national service exception periods, non-academic career gaps, country of origin reintegration, or displacement due to conflict. The strict 12-month mobility rule dictates that applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the host country for more than 12 months within the 36-month evaluation window prior to the call deadline.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ELIGIBILITY & RESUBMISSION RULES │
├───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Physical Residence Rule │ <12 Months in Host Country (3 Years)│
│ Resubmissions (From 2026 Onward) │ Requires >=80% Score on Previous │
│ Seal of Excellence │ Awarded to Quality Proposals (>=85%)│
└───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘
Eligibility checks enforce strict nationality restrictions for Global Fellowships, requiring applicants to hold long-term resident status or citizenship within an EU Member State or Associated Country. Host organisations must meet host institution eligibility standards within an EU member state, associated country status nation, or approved third country participation frame. Specialised rules apply to the Euratom research scope. Finally, applicants must heed resubmission restrictions; proposals scoring below the 80 per cent score threshold in the previous year cannot resubmit immediately. Outstanding unfunded proposals reaching 85% or higher receive a prestigious seal of excellence award.
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Distinct Fellowship Pathways: European vs Global Options
Applicants select between two primary pathways: the European postdoctoral fellowship or the global postdoctoral fellowship. The standard European track is open to researchers of any nationality moving to or within Europe. In contrast, the Global Fellowship funds European nationals or long-term residents seeking research experience at a non-associated third country outgoing phase institution.
FELLOWSHIP DURATION COMPARISON
European Fellowship : 12 to 24 Months Total (European Host Organisation)
Global Fellowship : 12 to 24 Months Outgoing (Third Country)
+ Mandatory 12-Month Return Phase (European Host)
Optional Non-Academic Placement : Up to 6 Additional Months at Project End
A global fellowship requires a mandatory 12-month return phase at a host organisation based in Europe. The fellowship duration of 12 to 24 months applies to European Fellowships, whereas the global fellowship duration of 24 to 36 months accounts for both the outgoing and return phases. Applicants must carefully evaluate their host country location, coordinate with their outgoing host supervisor, and secure agreement from their return host institution.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PATHWAY SELECTION MATRIX │
├───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┤
│ European Track Target │ Mobility to or within EU/Associated│
│ Global Track Target │ Outgoing Phase to US/UK/Asia, etc. │
│ Extended Placement Option │ Non-Academic Sector (+6 Months) │
└───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘
Both tracks offer a non-academic placement option at the end of the fellowship, allowing an additional 6-month placement in a company or non-academic entity within Europe. Requesting this six-month extended duration increases career impact by bridging academic theory and practical application. Applicants must verify whether target hosts reside in European member states, Horizon Europe-associated countries, or third countries.
Comprehensive Application Package and Mandatory Document Checklist
The submission package consists of two main parts: part a, administrative forms, and part b, technical proposal. Part A is generated directly on the portal and captures administrative details, budgets, and participant profiles. Part B is uploaded as two separate PDF files: the B1 proposal document and the B2 CV and institutional profiles.
DOCUMENT STRUCTURE & PAGE LIMITS
[ Part A ] ──> System Web Forms (Admin Data, Budget, Ethics/Security)
[ Part B1 ] ──> Technical Narrative (Excellence, Impact, Implementation) [Max 10 Pages]
[ Part B2 ] ──> Researcher CV, Host Profiles, Capacity & Commitments [No Strict Page Limit]
Applicants must strictly observe the ten-page Part B1 limit, as extra pages are automatically watermarked and ignored by evaluators. The B1 document includes the project summary narrative, followed by three core sections: the excellence section, the impact section, and the quality and efficiency of implementation section.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MANDATORY PROPOSAL SECTIONS │
├───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Part B1: Section 1 │ Excellence (Methodology & Training)│
│ Part B1: Section 2 │ Impact (Science, Society & Career) │
│ Part B1: Section 3 │ Implementation (Work Plan & Risks) │
└───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘
The B2 document contains the researcher curriculum vitae, a host supervisor summary, and a detailed operational capacity description. You must include a comprehensive risk management table, a visual Gantt chart timeline, an ethics self-assessment, and a security self-assessment. Adhering strictly to these mandatory proposal sections and formatting guidelines ensures full compliance.
Navigating the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Application Process
All submissions are processed online through the EU funding and tenders portal. The host institution must have a valid PIC number registration, known as a participant identification code. Once the host initialises the draft proposal creation, the system verifies host organisation validation status and assigns the primary administrative contacts.
ONLINE PORTAL SUBMISSION FLOW
[ Step 1: ECAS / EU Login ] ──> Create Personal User Profile
[ Step 2: PIC Verification] ──> Connect with Host Institution PIC Number
[ Step 3: Part A Completion] ──> Fill Admin Forms & Participant Data
[ Step 4: Part B Upload ] ──> Upload B1 & B2 PDFs before 17:00 CEST Deadline
The system requires entering the main contact person and assigning the proposal supervisor assignment details. After uploading the PDF documents during the document PDF upload stage, candidates click the submit button confirmation to receive an official receipt of submission.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SUBMISSION TIMELINE SAFEGUARDS │
├───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Portal Deadline │ Exactly 17:00:00 CEST (No Grace) │
│ Recommended Upload Time │ 48 Hours Prior to Deadline │
│ Post-Submission Editing │ Permitted Until Call Deadline Closes│
└───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘
All applications undergo multi-stage proposal evaluation steps following the strict call deadline 1700 CEST. Applicants should establish a portal user account early, test the application submission portal workflow, and utilise the partner search tool or expression of interest database to identify host mentors.
Expert Evaluation Criteria and Strategic Proposal Writing
Proposals are judged against three core evaluation criteria weightings: excellence (50 per cent weight), impact (30 per cent weight), and implementation (20 per cent weight). Applications are independently scored by independent expert evaluators who construct a detailed consensus report score and an individual evaluation report.
EVALUATION WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
┌──────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Excellence (50% Weight) │ Quality of Research, Training & Mentor │
│ Impact (30% Weight) │ Career Prospects, Dissemination & Outputs│
│ Implementation (20% Weight) │ Work Plan, Allocation of Resources, Risk│
└──────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────┘
To be considered for funding, a project must pass the minimum threshold score of 70 per cent, though actual funded proposals usually score above 92 per cent due to intense competition. Evaluators judge proposals on a scoring scale of 0 to 5 across all sub-criteria. Proposals must feature a high-quality methodology, outline clear training goals, and present concrete impact pathways.
HIGH-SCORE PROPOSAL CHECKLIST
[ Excellence ] ──> Original research methodology & 2-way knowledge transfer
[ Impact ] ──> Measurable scientific, societal, & economic outcomes
[ Implementation ] ──> Realistic Gantt chart, work packages, & risk mitigation
A winning proposal uses a realistic work package structure, includes well-defined milestones, provides a detailed deliverable list, and incorporates a clear risk mitigation strategy. By aligning your research with a strong career development objective, you can build a competitive proposal that reaches top marks.
Frequently Asked Questions (Latest Google People Also Ask)
What is the PhD experience limit for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?
Applicants must hold a PhD and have a maximum of eight years of full-time equivalent research experience post-PhD by the call deadline. Time spent outside research, career breaks, maternity/paternity leave, and compulsory national service do not count toward this 8-year limit.
How does the MSCA mobility rule work for European Fellowships?
You cannot apply with a host organisation located in a country where you have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the call deadline.
What is the financial coverage provided by an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The fellowship provides full funding, including a monthly living allowance (~€5,080 adjusted by country coefficient), a mobility allowance (€600/month), and a family allowance (€660/month, if applicable). It also provides €1,000/month for research/training costs and €1,000/month for host institutional overheads.
Can researchers of any nationality apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Yes, European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality moving to or within an EU member state or Horizon Europe associated country. Global Fellowships require the applicant to be a national or long-term resident of an EU member state or associated country.
What is the page limit for the MSCA Part B1 technical proposal?
The Part B1 technical proposal document has a strict limit of 10 pages. Any pages exceeding this 10-page limit are automatically watermarked by the submission portal and will not be evaluated.
Conclusion
Applying for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 provides an unmatched opportunity to advance your scientific career through prestigious European funding. By choosing a strong host institution, aligning with a dedicated mentor, and presenting an exceptional proposal, you can secure this award. Start preparing your application early to build a winning submission for the upcoming call.
Official Scholarship & University Resources
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European Research Executive Agency (REA) Official MSCA Page: REA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Official Portal – Status: Currently Open (Call Reference: HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01; Deadline: 9 September 2026, 17:00 CEST). Next Cycle (HORIZON-MSCA-2027-PF-01) Launch Expected: April 2027; Deadline: September 2027.
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EU Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal: Official EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Status: Currently Open for expressions of interest and host searches.
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EURAXESS Hosting Offers & Partner Search Database: EURAXESS Official Portal – Status: Currently Open (host institutions actively listing expressions of interest).