Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks Renewal Process 2026
Renewal Guidelines & Conditions
The duration of each individual doctoral fellowship typically ranges from 3 to 36 months for standard and Industrial Doctorates, and from 3 to 48 months for Joint Doctorates, within the overall project duration. The funding is provided for the fixed term of the employment contract. Continued funding and participation in the doctoral programme are contingent upon the doctoral candidate's satisfactory academic progress, adherence to the research and training plan, and compliance with the terms of their employment contract and the project's grant agreement.
Key Renewal Prerequisites
- Must pass the previous annual/semester examination in the first attempt.
- No active backlogs or ATKT are permitted in most professional programs.
- Must maintain regular class attendance (typically 75% or higher) validated by the college.
FAQs for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks
Q.What is the 'mobility rule' for MSCA Doctoral Networks?
The mobility rule is a key eligibility criterion stating that you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding your recruitment date. Certain short stays, such as holidays, or time spent obtaining refugee status, are typically not counted.
Q.Does the MSCA Doctoral Networks scholarship cover tuition fees?
While the MSCA grant itself does not directly allocate a specific budget line for tuition fees, it is a mandatory condition of the grant that host institutions participating in Doctoral Networks must not charge tuition fees to the recruited doctoral candidates. This effectively means tuition fees are waived for MSCA fellows.
Q.How do I apply for a PhD position funded by MSCA Doctoral Networks?
As an individual PhD candidate, you do not apply directly to the European Commission for this funding. Instead, you need to search for specific PhD vacancies advertised by already funded MSCA Doctoral Network projects. These positions are primarily published on the EURAXESS Jobs portal. Once you find a suitable position, you apply directly to the recruiting university or institution that is part of the Doctoral Network.
Q.Is there an age limit to apply for an MSCA Doctoral Network position?
There is no explicit age limit for candidates applying to MSCA Doctoral Network positions. The primary eligibility criterion related to career stage is that applicants must not already possess a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment.