Postdoctoral Fellowship checker
For researchers writing a proposal with a host. The 2026 call is closed. Planning tool only.
PhD awarded or successfully defended by the call deadline?
Eight-year research-experience cap respected after official exceptions?
Mobility rule met for European host or Global outgoing country?
If Global PF: EU/Associated national or long-term resident? (European PF: Yes)
Not blocked by the 2026 resubmission rule (prior score was not below 80%)?
These PF checks pass
One or more PF checks fail
European vs Global
Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers who already hold a PhD and want to carry out research abroad, gain new skills, and move between countries, disciplines, and sectors. Official page updated 14 April 2026.
European Postdoctoral Fellowships
Move within Europe or come to Europe from anywhere. Host in an EU Member State or Associated Country. Duration 12–24 months (the action page also says 1–2 years). Any nationality.
Global Postdoctoral Fellowships
Outgoing phase of 12–24 months in a non-associated third country, then a mandatory 12-month return to an organisation in an EU Member State or Associated Country. Total 2–3 years. Only EU/Associated nationals or long-term residents.
Secondments, placements, Euratom
Both types may include short-term secondments anywhere in the world during the fellowship, except during the Global return phase. Researchers can also receive support for a placement of up to six months in a non-academic organisation in an EU Member State or Associated Country, at the end of the fellowship.
For research areas covered by the Euratom Research and Training Programme, researchers and the recruiting beneficiary must be established in an EU Member State or Euratom Associated Country, and the researcher must be a national or long-term resident of one of those countries.
2026 call status and 2027 window
PF 2026 opened 9 April 2026 and closed 9 September 2026, 17:00 CEST, with an indicative budget of EUR 399.05 million. Results are expected in February 2027. The Work Programme lists PF 2027 as HORIZON-MSCA-2027-PF-01, indicative opening 7 April 2027, deadline 8 September 2027, budget EUR 388.57 million — confirm on the future official call page before you treat those dates as final.
From 2026, resubmission restrictions apply if the previous application scored below 80%. Seals of Excellence are awarded at a total score of 85% or more when budget, not quality, blocks funding.
How you actually apply
Develop the proposal with a host (university, research organisation, business, SME, or other eligible organisation) in an EU Member State or Associated Country. The host submits on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Find hosts via your network, EURAXESS hosting offers, and Partner Search. Use REA’s 8-year guidelines and self-assessment tool. Official walkthrough: 6 steps to prepare your application.