The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are now open for applications, offering a unique opportunity for researchers to gain advanced training, international mobility, and career development opportunities. With a deadline of September 09, 2026, eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for these prestigious fellowships, which provide funding of €399.05 million to support researchers worldwide. The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are among Europe’s most competitive research funding programmes, and this year’s call is expected to fund around 1,600 projects across all disciplines.
About the Opportunity
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) is a European Union’s research and innovation programme that aims to support the development of talented researchers through international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility. The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to provide PhD holders with the opportunity to gain new skills, expand their networks, and advance their careers through research collaboration and mentorship with leading institutions worldwide. For African researchers, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships offer a unique opportunity to access world-class research facilities, collaborate with international experts, and gain experience in cutting-edge research techniques, which can help to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships have a long history of supporting researchers from diverse backgrounds, including Africa, and have helped to foster international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. The programme’s emphasis on inter-sectoral mobility also provides opportunities for researchers to engage with industry, policymakers, and civil society, which can help to translate research findings into practical solutions that can benefit society. By supporting the development of talented researchers, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships can help to drive innovation, economic growth, and social progress in Africa and beyond.
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are part of the European Union’s broader efforts to promote research and innovation, and to support the development of a knowledge-based economy. The programme is designed to be inclusive, diverse, and accessible, and welcomes applications from researchers of all nationalities, disciplines, and backgrounds. By providing funding for research projects, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships can help to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development, and global health, and can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Who Can Apply
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to PhD holders from all over the world, who are looking to gain advanced training, international mobility, and career development opportunities. To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be in possession of a PhD degree, or have at least 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience
- Have a maximum of 8 years of research experience since the completion of their PhD
- Be of any nationality, although some fellowships may have specific nationality requirements
- Comply with the mobility rule, which requires that they have not resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call deadline
What You Will Gain
As a recipient of an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, you will gain a wide range of benefits, including:
- Advanced training and research experience in a leading institution worldwide
- International mobility and the opportunity to work in a new country and culture
- Access to a network of experienced researchers, policymakers, and industry experts
- Opportunities for career development, including training, mentorship, and networking
- A competitive salary and living allowance, which will enable you to focus on your research and career development
- Opportunities for inter-sectoral mobility, which will allow you to engage with industry, policymakers, and civil society, and to translate your research findings into practical solutions
Application Deadline
Do not miss this opportunity to take your research career to the next level. The deadline for applications is September 09, 2026. Start your application early, and make sure to submit all the required documents and information on time.
How to Apply for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026– Open for Applications
To apply for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, follow these steps: First, identify a host institution and a supervisor who is willing to support your research project. Next, develop a research proposal that outlines your project’s objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Then, prepare your application package, which should include your CV, motivation letter, and research proposal, as well as any other required documents. Finally, submit your application through the official application portal, and wait for the evaluation results.
Apply directly here: Click here to apply
Final Thoughts
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships offer a unique opportunity for researchers to gain advanced training, international mobility, and career development opportunities. If you are a talented researcher looking to take your career to the next level, do not miss this chance to apply for one of these prestigious fellowships. Apply now, and take the first step towards achieving your research and career goals – Click here to apply

