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Funding

Salary

MSCA Doctoral Networks

PhD ScholarshipEurope

European Commission / European Research Executive Agency

Application Deadline

Rolling admission

Official Page

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Check who can apply

“must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment … should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date” Eligibility

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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

MSCA Doctoral Networks are EU-funded doctoral programmes run by partnerships of universities, research centres, companies and other organisations from several countries. The European Commission funds them and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) runs the calls.

Organisations compete for funding through calls for proposals. Doctoral candidates then apply to the individual PhD positions each funded network advertises, including on EURAXESS. Industrial Doctorates add time in industry; Joint Doctorates lead to joint or multiple degrees.

Benefits & funding

  • Employment by the recruiting organisation for 3–36 months (up to 48 months in Joint Doctorates).
  • EU support for each researcher: a living allowance and a mobility allowance, plus family, long-term leave and special-needs allowances where applicable.
  • Network funding also covers research, training and networking activities.
  • Secondments to partners anywhere in the world are possible.
  • Monthly amounts are set in the MSCA Work Programme; check each vacancy.

Eligibility

  • Any nationality.
  • No doctoral degree on the recruitment date.
  • Enrolment in a doctoral programme leading to a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
  • Mobility rule: in general, no more than 12 months living, working or studying in the recruiting organisation’s country during the 36 months before recruitment.
  • Industrial Doctorates: at least 50% of time outside academia.
  • Each position lists its own further requirements in its vacancy notice.

Application process

  1. 1
    Find open Doctoral Network positions in the MSCA vacancy list on EURAXESS.
  2. 2
    Check the position’s requirements and the mobility rule against your last 36 months.
  3. 3
    Apply directly to the recruiting institution or project by that position’s own deadline.
  4. 4
    Networks select candidates through an open, transparent, merit-based process.
  5. 5
    Organisations only: a consortium of at least three independent entities in different EU Member States or Associated Countries, one in an EU Member State, submits a proposal on the Funding & Tenders Portal; the 2026 call closes 24 November 2026, 17:00 CET.

Program timeline

  1. Year-round

    PhD vacancies posted on EURAXESS, each with its own deadline

  2. 2026 consortium call closes (17:00 CET)

    Nov 24, 2026

  3. Consortia notified of selection

    2027-04

  4. 2027-09

    First projects from the 2026 call start

The monthly round-up

New fellowships, scholarships and programs, once a month. No account needed.