Horizon Europe Programs: MSCA – PhD, Postdoctoral, Scientists

If you are planning an international research career move, the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026–2027 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions document is one of the most useful resources you can read. It sets out the EU’s flagship calls for doctoral training, postdoctoral mobility, staff exchanges, co-funded fellowship schemes, and public outreach actions for the 2026–2027 cycle.

In this guide, you will learn what the work programme covers, which MSCA calls matter most, what timelines and budgets look like, and how to plan a credible application path. You will also find practical tips (including an “Indian applicant” scenario) and a short FAQ section to support decision-making.

Overview: what the MSCA work programme actually does

The MSCA work programme is not an “application form.” Instead, it is the official planning document that defines which MSCA calls will open, what each call aims to fund, and the indicative budgets and deadlines.

In addition, it points applicants to the detailed call documentation and templates hosted on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The official MSCA guidance also highlights practical steps such as partner search, organisation registration (PIC), and early submission to reduce last-minute errors.

Why MSCA matters: benefits that go beyond funding

MSCA programmes build careers through structured mobility and training. However, the most strategic benefit is reputation. An MSCA-funded researcher or consortium signals competitive excellence, strong supervision, and a clear career-development logic.

The work programme frames MSCA outcomes around skills, mobility, employability, and Europe’s research attractiveness. It also stresses open science, innovation, and knowledge circulation across sectors and countries.

For universities and research centres, MSCA often improves recruitment practices and research training quality. It can also strengthen global visibility and networks, especially when teams combine academia, industry, and societal stakeholders.

The main MSCA actions in 2026–2027

MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026–2027

Doctoral Networks (DN) fund structured doctoral programmes run by consortia. Importantly, the programme allows participation from organisations beyond Europe, which matters for global partnerships.

Key dates and indicative budgets

• • DN 2026: opens 28/05/2026, deadline 24/11/2026, budget EUR 593.03 million

  • DN 2027: opens 26/05/2027, deadline 23/11/2027, budget EUR 574.62 million

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Expert note: DN success depends on more than science. Reviewers look for credible supervision, training structure, secondments, and employability pathways. Therefore, strong industry or non-academic participation often strengthens the case.

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–2027

Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) fund individual, mobility-based projects prepared jointly by the researcher and a host organisation. The work programme separates European Fellowships and Global Fellowships with distinct eligibility and structure.

Durations (high-impact detail for planning)

• • European PF: typically 12–24 months, open to researchers of any nationality moving into Europe or within Europe

  • Global PF: an outgoing phase of 12–24 months outside Europe plus a mandatory 12-month return phase in Europe; open to European nationals or long-term residents

Key dates and indicative budgets

• • PF 2026: opens 09/04/2026, deadline 09/09/2026, total budget EUR 399.05 million (European: 339.19, Global: 59.86)

  • PF 2027: opens 07/04/2027, deadline 08/09/2027, total budget EUR 388.57 million (European: 330.28, Global: 58.29)

MSCA Staff Exchanges 2026–2027

Staff Exchanges fund international and inter-sectoral secondments for R&I staff, including research, technical, administrative, and managerial profiles that support research and innovation.

Key dates and indicative budgets

• • Staff Exchanges 2026: opens 16/12/2025, deadline 16/04/2026, budget EUR 97.92 million

  • Staff Exchanges 2027: opens 15/12/2026, deadline 15/04/2027, budget EUR 99.52 million

Why this matters strategically: Staff Exchanges can build trust and shared methods quickly. As a result, strong exchanges often mature into larger consortia for other Horizon calls.

MSCA COFUND and “Choose Europe for Science” 2027

COFUND supports organisations that co-fund doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship programmes. In 2027, the work programme also includes a dedicated COFUND call titled Choose Europe for Science, which signals a strategic talent-attraction intent.

Key dates and indicative budgets

• • COFUND 2026: opens 16/12/2025, deadline 08/04/2026, budget EUR 105.46 million

  • COFUND 2027: opens 08/12/2026, deadline 06/04/2027, budget EUR 51.25 million

  • Choose Europe for Science 2027 (COFUND): opens 08/12/2026, deadline 06/04/2027, budget EUR 51.25 million

MSCA and Citizens 2027

MSCA and Citizens funds large-scale public engagement, including European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools activities.

• • Opens 09/03/2027, deadline 08/06/2027, budget EUR 15.71 million

Eligibility: who should pay attention (and who should not)

Eligibility depends on the action. Therefore, you should always confirm the exact call conditions via the official programme guidelines and the call page on the Funding & Tenders portal.

That said, the work programme clarifies several practical points:

• • PhD candidates usually apply by responding to DN-funded vacancies, often posted through Euraxess.

  • Postdocs can apply either to open MSCA-funded vacancies, or by developing their own PF proposal with a host.

  • Global PF has a stricter eligibility rule (European nationals or long-term residents).

A practical scenario for an Indian applicant

If you hold an Indian passport and you want a strong MSCA route, start with European Postdoctoral Fellowships, since they allow researchers of any nationality and support mobility into Europe.

Next, shortlist 8–12 host groups and ask for a short alignment call. Then, propose a project that clearly matches their facilities and adds a new angle (method, dataset, or application domain). Finally, map a training plan that proves career logic, not just research ambition.

Step-by-step: how to apply in a way reviewers recognise as “mature”

Step 1: pick the right action and define your “fit”

Firstly, choose one primary call (PF, DN, Staff Exchanges, or COFUND). Then, write a one-page fit note: problem, novelty, methods, training goals, and expected outcomes.

Step 2: build partners or select a host early

For organisational calls, use the Funding & Tenders “Partner Search” function. For PF, hosts can also advertise positions or hosting offers through Euraxess and other major portals.

Step 3: register correctly (and early)

Create an EU Login, register your organisation, and obtain a PIC. Also, contact the relevant National Contact Point for procedural guidance.

Step 4: write for evaluation reality

MSCA proposals must read like an operational plan. Therefore, include:

• • a clear research pathway (work packages, risks, alternatives),

  • a training and supervision structure,

  • knowledge transfer and dissemination plans,

  • and a credible impact narrative for careers and organisations.

Step 5: submit before the deadline (and respect the time zone)

Submit early and confirm you received the acknowledgement email. Also note that deadlines are set at 17:00 Brussels local time, and the responsible Director-General may adjust opening dates and deadlines within defined limits.

Tips, common mistakes, and expert advice

Do these five things early

1. 1. Start from the training logic, not only the research question.

   2. Demonstrate mobility value: explain what you learn that you cannot learn at home.

   3. Use measurable outcomes: datasets, methods, prototypes, policy briefs, or open materials.

   4. Write a tight impact story with specific stakeholders and pathways.

   5. Plan the admin timeline (PIC, ethics, letters, internal review) backwards from the deadline.

Avoid these common mistakes

• • Writing a proposal that looks like a journal article. Reviewers want a project plan.

  • Treating “impact” as a slogan. Instead, show mechanisms and audiences.

  • Ignoring recruitment norms. For Doctoral Networks, recruitment should be open, transparent, and merit-based, and vacancies should be widely advertised.

  • Waiting for the last week. Time zones and portal traffic create avoidable risk.

Conclusion

The Horizon Europe MSCA work programme for 2026–2027 gives you a reliable map of the major calls, their budgets, and their timing. If you want a realistic chance of success, align your plan to the action’s intent—training, mobility, and impact—not just scientific novelty. Moreover, build your host or consortium early and run a backward timeline from the deadline. Finally, use the official call documentation to confirm every eligibility detail before you submit.

Action to take now: bookmark the programme guidelines, choose one target call, and begin your host or partner outreach at least 10–12 weeks before the deadline.

FAQs Summary Table

Frequently Asked Questions