Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 in Europe

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 are prestigious research fellowships funded under the European Union's Horizon Europe programme through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). The fellowships are designed to support researchers who have completed a PhD and want to develop their research careers through international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility.

The programme allows researchers to work with academic and research institutions while developing new skills, expanding their professional networks and gaining valuable international research experience. The 2027 call is currently listed as forthcoming by the European Commission.

According to the current official timeline, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 call is expected to open on 7 April 2027, with a submission deadline of 8 September 2027 at 17:00 CEST. These dates are currently marked as indicative.

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 Overview

Category	Details
Fellowship Name	Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027
Funding Programme	Horizon Europe
Action	Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Fellowship Type	Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Host Region	Europe / Associated Countries
European Fellowship Duration	12–24 Months
Global Fellowship Duration	12–24 Months + 12-Month Return Phase
Eligible Researchers	Researchers Holding a PhD
2027 Call Opening	7 April 2027 (Indicative)
Application Deadline	8 September 2027 (Indicative)
Application Time	17:00 CEST

The official European Commission information states that European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality, while Global Postdoctoral Fellowships have additional nationality or long-term residency requirements.

What Are MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships?

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are individual research fellowships that support researchers after completing their PhD.

The programme is designed to help researchers:

• Develop new research skills
• Gain international research experience
• Work in interdisciplinary environments
• Build international collaborations
• Improve their academic and professional profile
• Work across academic and non-academic sectors
• Strengthen their future research careers

The European Commission describes the fellowships as an opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to acquire new skills through advanced training and international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility.

Types of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships

There are two main types of fellowships under the programme:

European Postdoctoral Fellowships

European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality.

Researchers can either:

• Move to a European country from another country, or
• Move between European countries to undertake their research project.

The standard duration of a European Postdoctoral Fellowship is between 12 and 24 months.

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed for European nationals or long-term residents.

They involve:

• An outgoing research phase in a non-EU Member State or non-associated Third Country
• An outgoing period of 12 to 24 months
• A compulsory 12-month return phase to a host organization in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country

This structure allows eligible European researchers to gain research experience outside Europe before returning to Europe to continue their work.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is intended for researchers who have completed a PhD.

Applicants should also satisfy the programme's mobility requirements depending on the type of fellowship they are applying for.

For European Postdoctoral Fellowships, researchers of any nationality can apply, provided they meet the relevant eligibility and mobility conditions.

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships have more specific eligibility conditions because they are intended for European nationals or long-term residents.

PhD Requirement

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree by the relevant deadline specified in the call.

Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally received the degree may also be subject to specific conditions under the official call rules.

Applicants should therefore carefully check the final 2027 call documentation once it is published before submitting their proposal.

Mobility Requirement

Mobility is one of the central features of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships.

For European Postdoctoral Fellowships, applicants generally undertake their research in a country where they have not been resident or carried out their main activity for more than the permitted period under the mobility rule immediately before the call deadline.

This requirement is intended to encourage researchers to move internationally and gain experience in a new research environment.

Applicants should carefully review the final 2027 mobility conditions when the official call opens.

Research Areas

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships support research across all areas of research.

Applicants can develop projects in fields such as:

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Natural Sciences
• Medicine
• Social Sciences
• Economics
• Business
• Environmental Sciences
• Humanities
• Arts
• Education
• Interdisciplinary Research

The programme is not restricted to one academic discipline, allowing researchers from different fields to propose innovative research projects.

What Does the Fellowship Cover?

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships provide financial support for researchers and their research projects.

The EU grant contributes to:

• Researcher remuneration
• Mobility allowance
• Family allowance where applicable
• Institutional research and networking costs
• Management and indirect costs
• Other eligible project-related expenses

The exact financial amounts depend on the applicable Horizon Europe unit contributions and the circumstances of the researcher.

Applicants should check the official 2027 call documents for the final funding rates and applicable allowances.

Family Allowance

Researchers with eligible family circumstances may receive an additional family allowance under the MSCA funding rules.

The allowance is subject to the programme's definition and eligibility conditions.

Applicants should therefore provide accurate information about their family situation during the application process if they believe they qualify.

Research and Networking Support

The fellowship is not simply a salary-based postdoctoral position.

MSCA projects also provide support for research, networking and institutional activities.

This can allow fellows to:

• Attend conferences
• Participate in workshops
• Develop professional networks
• Collaborate with international researchers
• Strengthen research partnerships
• Gain experience outside their immediate research group

The programme places strong emphasis on researchers' long-term career development.

Academic and Career Benefits

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships can provide significant benefits for researchers planning long-term academic or research careers.

Fellows can:

• Work with leading research teams
• Gain international research experience
• Develop new technical skills
• Expand professional networks
• Improve publication opportunities
• Build interdisciplinary expertise
• Gain intersectoral experience
• Strengthen their academic CV
• Develop future research collaborations
• Improve their international career prospects

The European Commission specifically highlights international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility as important elements of the programme.

Researcher Mobility and International Experience

One of the major strengths of the MSCA programme is its focus on mobility.

Researchers move to a new research environment and work with a host organization that can provide expertise, facilities and professional networks relevant to the proposed project.

This international experience can help researchers establish long-term collaborations and improve their ability to work across different research systems.

Host Institution

Applicants generally need to identify a suitable host organization before preparing their proposal.

The host institution plays an important role in the fellowship because it provides the research environment where the project will be carried out.

Potential hosts may include:

• Universities
• Research institutes
• Public research organizations
• Private organizations
• Other eligible institutions

The suitability of the host should be closely connected to the researcher's proposed project and career development objectives.

Interdisciplinary Research

MSCA encourages researchers to work across disciplinary boundaries.

Applicants can develop projects that combine different areas of research when this strengthens the project's objectives.

For example, a project could combine:

• Computer science and healthcare
• Artificial intelligence and education
• Engineering and environmental science
• Data science and social sciences
• Biotechnology and medicine

The interdisciplinary component can help researchers develop broader expertise and create new research perspectives.

Intersectoral Experience

Another important feature of MSCA is intersectoral mobility.

Researchers can gain experience by working with organizations outside traditional academic environments, where appropriate.

This can include collaboration with:

• Industry
• Businesses
• NGOs
• Public organizations
• Research institutions
• Other non-academic partners

Such experience can improve researchers' understanding of how research is developed and applied outside universities.

Required Application Materials

Applicants should prepare a strong research proposal and supporting information.

Typical application materials include:

• Research proposal
• Researcher's CV
• Academic background
• Publication record
• Research experience
• Career development plan
• Host institution information
• Supervisor information
• Training and networking plans
• Ethical and security information where applicable

The final 2027 application templates and detailed document requirements should be checked once the official call is launched.

Research Proposal

The research proposal is one of the most important parts of the MSCA application.

A competitive proposal should clearly explain:

• Research problem
• Research objectives
• Methodology
• Expected results
• Innovation
• Research impact
• Career development goals
• Training opportunities
• Networking plans
• Dissemination and communication activities

Applicants should demonstrate not only that the research is scientifically strong but also that the fellowship will significantly contribute to their professional development.

How to Apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027

Applicants should first identify a suitable research topic and an eligible host institution.

After finding a potential host and supervisor, the researcher should discuss the proposed project with them and develop the research plan collaboratively.

The applicant should then prepare the research proposal, CV, career development information and other required sections of the application.

The proposal is submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal once the 2027 call opens. The current official timeline indicates an opening date of 7 April 2027 and a deadline of 8 September 2027.

Application Process

Check your eligibility: Confirm that you meet the PhD, nationality and mobility requirements for the fellowship type you intend to pursue.

Choose your research area: Develop an innovative research idea that fits your academic background and future career plans.

Find a host institution: Identify a suitable European research organization and potential supervisor.

Develop the proposal: Work with your host to prepare a clear and competitive research proposal.

Prepare your CV: Highlight your publications, research experience, academic achievements and relevant skills.

Complete the application: Fill in the required sections through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Review the proposal: Carefully check the scientific quality, impact, implementation and eligibility requirements.

Submit before the deadline: Submit the final proposal by 8 September 2027 at 17:00 CEST, subject to confirmation in the final call documentation.

Application Deadline

The expected deadline for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 is:

8 September 2027 at 17:00 CEST

The call is currently marked as forthcoming, so applicants should treat the date as indicative until the official call is formally opened.

Important Dates

The current indicative timeline is:

• 7 April 2027: Call opens
• 8 September 2027: Proposal submission deadline
• February 2028: Notification of applicants
• April 2028: Grant agreement signature
• May 2028: First EU-funded projects expected to start

These dates are currently identified as indicative by the European Commission.

Is MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Fully Funded?

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships provide substantial EU financial support to researchers and host institutions.

The funding contributes toward researcher remuneration, mobility and applicable family allowances, along with research, networking, management and indirect costs.

However, the exact amount received by a researcher can vary depending on the applicable funding rules and individual circumstances. Therefore, applicants should not describe the fellowship simply as a fixed monthly scholarship without checking the final call conditions.

Why Apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?

There are several reasons why researchers consider MSCA one of Europe's leading postdoctoral opportunities.

Key benefits include:

• International research experience
• Competitive EU-funded support
• European research mobility
• Access to leading research environments
• Interdisciplinary training
• Intersectoral experience
• Professional networking
• Career development support
• Research collaboration opportunities
• Opportunities to strengthen academic profiles
• Exposure to international research systems

The programme is particularly valuable for researchers who want to combine high-quality research with structured professional development.

Important Points for Applicants

Applicants should remember that MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 are not yet open. The European Commission currently lists the call as forthcoming, with an indicative opening date of 7 April 2027.

Researchers should therefore use the preparation period to identify potential supervisors, select a host institution and develop a strong research proposal.

The 2027 call will also have specific eligibility, mobility and application requirements. Applicants should verify the final official call documents before submission.

Final Thoughts

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 is a major European research opportunity for PhD holders who want to develop their careers through international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research experience.

The programme supports researchers across a wide range of disciplines and offers opportunities to work with European research organizations while developing new skills, collaborations and professional networks. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality, while Global Postdoctoral Fellowships have specific nationality and residency conditions.

The 2027 call is expected to open on 7 April 2027, with an indicative deadline of 8 September 2027 at 17:00 CEST. Since these dates are currently marked as indicative, applicants should check the official MSCA website when the call opens for the final requirements and deadlines. Apply Now