Horizon Europe fellowships, not a Master’s scholarship
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) sit inside Horizon Europe. They fund research training and mobility for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers, plus collaborative actions for organisations. The European Research Executive Agency (REA) runs the calls.
This handbook is written for researchers. The two actions you can actually enter as a person are Doctoral Networks and Postdoctoral Fellowships. Staff Exchanges, COFUND, MSCA and Citizens, and Choose Europe for Science are organisation-led.
This is not Erasmus Mundus. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) is an Erasmus+ degree programme with a student scholarship. MSCA does not award a taught Master’s place. Doctoral Network fellows are recruited onto funded PhD vacancies. Postdoctoral fellows write a research proposal with a host and submit it on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Which door do you use?
Pick the path that matches your degree. This is a planning tool, not an official Commission decision.
The step listing sites get backwards
People treat the Doctoral Networks deadline as a student application date. It is not. The 24 November 2026 date is for consortia. Doctoral candidates apply later, to vacancies that funded projects advertise on EURAXESS after grant signature.
What this handbook covers
Eleven pages. Start with the action that matches your career stage. Confirm every date on the official call page before you write.
Doctoral Networks
Standard, Industrial, and Joint Doctorates. Researchers apply on EURAXESS, not to the consortium call.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
European (1–2 years, any nationality) and Global (2–3 years, EU/Associated nationals or long-term residents).
Eligibility
No PhD at DN recruitment. PhD (or successful defence) at the PF deadline. Mobility rule. 8-year cap for PF.
How to Apply
EURAXESS for DN vacancies. Funding & Tenders Portal for PF proposals written with a host.
Deadlines
DN 2026: 24 Nov 2026. PF 2026 closed 9 Sep 2026. Choose Europe: 8 Dec 2026 – 6 Apr 2027.
Documents
Vacancy packs differ by project. PF uses the official Part A / Part B templates on the call page.
Funding
Living + mobility allowances; family, long-term leave, and special needs if applicable. Gross, then tax.
After Selection
Grant agreement, employment contract, Seal of Excellence at ≥85%, and EURAXESS practical support.
FAQ
Resubmission below 80%, Global PF nationality, Industrial Doctorates, and why EMJM is a different scheme.
Checklist
One planning tracker for both researcher paths. Not an official REA decision.
Official MSCA site
If this handbook and europa.eu disagree, europa.eu wins.
Three things listing sites get wrong
Researchers do not apply to the DN call
The Doctoral Networks 2026 deadline is for consortia. Doctoral candidates apply to vacancies on EURAXESS after projects are funded.
MSCA is not Erasmus Mundus
EMJM funds a joint Master’s. MSCA funds doctoral training and postdoctoral research mobility under Horizon Europe. Different portal, different rules.
There is no single monthly euro figure on the action pages
Official DN and PF pages list allowance types. Unit contributions and country coefficients sit in the Work Programme. DN vacancies must publish the gross salary.
Official facts for 2026–27
Official pages: Doctoral Networks (updated 10 August 2026), Postdoctoral Fellowships (updated 14 April 2026), 2026–27 call announcement, Work Programme PDF.
Start with the action, then the rule
Doctoral Network or Postdoctoral Fellowship first. Mobility, degree date, and the right portal second.
Check Eligibility