MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships in Europe 2025

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 present a prestigious opportunity for highly skilled researchers holding a PhD to advance their careers through international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility. These fellowships are funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe and are designed to boost the potential of researchers while enhancing European research excellence and competitiveness.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowships are tailored for researchers who aim to acquire new skills, conduct cutting-edge research, and gain experience in academic and non-academic environments. They support career development by encouraging collaboration across sectors and borders, allowing researchers to make meaningful contributions to global scientific challenges. With options to conduct research within the EU or globally, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships help build bridges between different research landscapes.

The 2025 call is now open, and applicants are encouraged to begin preparing with a suitable host institution to submit a competitive proposal before the deadline. These fellowships are highly competitive and aim to support the most promising researchers in their pursuit of excellence and innovation. By facilitating mobility and collaboration across borders and sectors, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships contribute significantly to the development of a vibrant and interconnected European Research Area.

Program Details

• Host Institution: Host institutions in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
• Research Areas: See details below.
• Number of Positions: Not specified.
• Funding Body: European Union (Horizon Europe).
• Fellowship Duration: 12 to 36 months depending on fellowship type.
• Indicative Budget: EUR 404.29 million.
• Target Group: Open to all.

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Benefits

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship offers a comprehensive funding package that includes:

• Monthly living allowance
• Mobility allowance for international moves
• Additional allowances for family, long-term leave, and special needs if applicable
• Funding for research, training, and networking activities
• Management and indirect costs for host institutions
• Up to 6 months placement in a non-academic sector within Europe (optional).

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Eligible Research Areas

• Chemistry (CHE)
• Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC)
• Economic Sciences (ECO)
• Information Science and Engineering (ENG)
• Environment and Geosciences (ENV)
• Life Sciences (LIF)
• Mathematics (MAT)
• Physics (PHY).

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Applicants must have a PhD degree at the time of the application deadline.
• Up to 8 years of research experience post-PhD (excluding career breaks and work in third countries for reintegrating researchers).
• Must comply with the mobility rule—cannot have resided or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the call deadline.
• Both European and Global Fellowships have distinct mobility and nationality/residency requirements.
• Applicants with proposals that scored below 70% in the previous year will face resubmission restrictions.

Types of Postdoctoral Fellowship

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships offer two distinct pathways for researchers aiming to advance their careers through international mobility and interdisciplinary research. These fellowships are designed to support researchers in acquiring new skills and experiences, thereby enhancing their career prospects.

European Postdoctoral Fellowships : These fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality who wish to engage in research and innovation projects within the European Union (EU) Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The duration of these fellowships ranges from 12 to 24 months. Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline. This mobility rule ensures the promotion of cross-border collaborations and knowledge exchange.

Global Postdoctoral Fellowships : These fellowships are targeted at nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. They involve an initial outgoing phase of 12 to 24 months in a non-associated third country, followed by a mandatory 12-month return phase to a host organization in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. This structure is designed to foster international collaboration and facilitate the transfer of knowledge back to Europe.

Additional Opportunities and Eligibility : Both European and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships may include short-term secondments anywhere in the world during the fellowship, except during the return phase of a Global Fellowship. Furthermore, to strengthen the link between academia and industry, researchers can opt for an additional placement of up to six months in a non-academic organization based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, to be undertaken at the end of their fellowship. For fellowships in research areas covered by the Euratom Research and Training Programme, applicants must be nationals or long-term residents of an EU Member State or a Euratom Associated Country, and the host organisation must be established in an EU Member State or Euratom Associated Country.

How to Apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025

The application process is entirely online. Researchers must collaborate with a host institution to jointly develop and submit a proposal via the EU Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal.

1. Identify and connect with a suitable host organisation (university, research institute, SME, etc.). Click on the “Apply” button below to start.
2. Develop your research proposal with the support of a supervisor from the host institution.
3. Check eligibility and ensure compliance with all mobility and experience requirements.
4. Submit the completed application, including annexes and required forms, before the deadline.

Required Documents

• Completed application form (via the EU portal)
• Research proposal jointly written with host institution
• MSCA Work Programme and General Annexes
• Self-assessment tool for eligibility check
• Proof of PhD award or certificate of defense
• Any additional documents required by the host organisation.

Timeline

• Call Launch: 8 May 2025
• Application Deadline: 10 September 2025 (17:00 CEST)
• Notification of Results: February 2026 (TBC)
• Grant Agreement Signing: April 2026 (TBC)
• Project Start: April 2026 (TBC).

The application deadline is September 10, 2025. To learn more about the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships please visit the official scholarship page. To be the first to see latest opportunities, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.