European Commission (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions)

Partially funded

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships (European Fellowships, hosted in Germany)

European Commission (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions), Germany

Scholarship overview

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers with a PhD who move to or between EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, which includes Germany. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality, coming to Europe from anywhere or moving within Europe.

The researcher and a host organisation in the academic or non-academic sector apply jointly; the host submits the application and recruits the researcher for the full period. The scheme is also open to researchers reintegrating in Europe, displaced by conflict, or restarting a career. The 2026 call had an indicative budget of EUR 434 million.

Award Information

  • PhD at the call deadline; researchers who have defended the thesis but not yet been awarded the degree are also eligible.
  • Maximum 8 years of research experience since the PhD award; time outside research and career breaks do not count.
  • Mobility rule: no more than 12 months living or carrying out main activity (work, studies) in the host country in the 36 months before the call deadline.
  • Any nationality for European Postdoctoral Fellowships. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are limited to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Associated Countries and need an outgoing phase outside the EU.
  • All disciplines are eligible. Euratom research areas require EU Member State or Euratom Associated Country nationality or long-term residence.
  • From 2026, resubmission restrictions apply to applications that scored below 80% the previous year.
  • European Postdoctoral Fellowships last 12 to 24 months in an EU Member State or Associated Country.
  • EU funding covers a living allowance, mobility allowance, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances where applicable, research, training and networking costs, and management and indirect costs.
  • Optional non-academic placement of up to 6 months in an EU or Associated Country at the end of the fellowship.
  • Short secondments are allowed.

2026 call (topic HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01): launch 9 April 2026, proposal deadline 9 September 2026, results notified February 2027, grant agreement April 2027, earliest project start May 2027 (dates marked as to be confirmed by the call page).

How to apply

  1. Find a host organisation in Germany through your network or hosting offers on Euraxess and other job portals.
  2. Develop the proposal jointly with the host and prospective supervisor.
  3. Confirm eligibility against the open call on the EU Funding and Tenders Opportunities Portal.
  4. The host organisation submits the complete application with annexes before the deadline.

Official links

Documents you will need

Application and evaluation forms, the MSCA Work Programme 2026-2027, the guide for applicants and the 8-year research experience guidelines are published with the call.

How selection works

Applications scoring 85% or higher that cannot be funded receive the Seal of Excellence.

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