Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks
European Commission · All India
| Scheme Name | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks |
| Provided By | European Commission |
| Eligibility Summary | PhD · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
€4,010/mo (approx. ₹61.7 Lakh+)
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks provide funding to host institutions, which then recruit and employ doctoral candidates. The funding for recruited researchers is based on fixed monthly unit contributions, covering a living allowance, mobility allowance, and potentially a family allowance. For the 2026 call, the living allowance has increased from the previous base of €4,010 per person-month. A mobility allowance (typically €600/month) and, if applicable, a family allowance (typically €660/month) are added. The figures provided in INR (estimated highest annual: 5,691,600 INR, minimum annual: 4,330,800 INR) are gross amounts before the application of country correction coefficients, national taxes, and social security deductions in the host European country. These net amounts can vary significantly based on the host country's regulations. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is an EU-funded program for research in Europe, not an Indian government scholarship.
- —
Career Stage:Must not hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree are not considered eligible.
- —
Enrollment:Must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. For Joint Doctorates, enrollment in at least two countries is typically required.
- —
Nationality:Candidates can be of any nationality.
- —
Mobility Rule:Candidates 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. Compulsory national service, short stays (e.g., holidays), and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not counted.
- —
Industrial Doctorates (Specific):Doctoral candidates must spend at least 50% of their fellowship duration in the non-academic sector.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | PhD |
| Course / Stream | PhD |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- ✓Master's degree certificate
- ✓Transcript of academic records
- ✓Summary of Master's thesis (e.g., 1000 characters)
- ✓Recommendation letter (often following a specific template)
- ✓Completed application form demonstrating motivation, qualifications, skills, and project preferences
Selection Process
- —
The selection process for MSCA Doctoral Networks happens in two stages: first, consortia of organisations (universities, research institutions, businesses, etc.) apply for funding for their doctoral programmes
- —
These proposals are evaluated based on three main criteria: Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), and Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation (20%)
- —
Proposals must achieve a minimum threshold of 3 out of 5 for each criterion to be considered for funding
- —
Once a project is funded, the participating organisations recruit individual doctoral candidates for the available PhD positions
- —
This recruitment process must be open, transparent, and merit-based, in line with the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
- —
Vacancies are advertised internationally, including on the EURAXESS portal
- —
Eligibility for individual researchers requires them not to hold a doctoral degree at the recruitment date, to be enrolled in a doctoral programme, and to comply with the MSCA mobility rule.
Renewal Policy
- —
MSCA Doctoral Networks fellowships are awarded for a fixed period, typically between 3 and 36 months for standard and Industrial Doctorates, and up to 48 months for Joint Doctorates
- —
The entire Doctoral Network project duration can be up to 4 years (or 5 years for Joint Doctorates)
- —
These are not annually renewable scholarships in the traditional sense, but rather a single grant for the specified fellowship duration within a funded research project
- —
Continued funding is contingent on the doctoral candidate's satisfactory progress within the doctoral programme as outlined in their employment contract and the project's grant agreement.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Understand the Programme
Familiarize yourself with the MSCA Doctoral Networks (DN) scheme. This program focuses on training doctoral candidates through international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral collaboration. Indian nationals are eligible to be recruited by host institutions in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
- 2Find Vacancies
Regularly search for PhD positions advertised by funded MSCA Doctoral Networks projects. The primary platform for this is the EURAXESS Jobs portal. Other international job portals and university websites may also advertise these positions.
- 3Check Eligibility
Ensure you meet the specific eligibility criteria for doctoral candidates: * You must not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. * You must be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project. * You must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: generally, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date.
- 4Prepare Your Application
Each advertised PhD position will have its own application requirements. Typically, this will involve a CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, and potentially research proposals or references. Tailor your application to the specific project and host institution.
- 5Submit Application
Follow the instructions provided in the vacancy notice to submit your application by the specified deadline.
- 6Selection and Recruitment
If shortlisted, you will undergo an interview and selection process by the host institution(s) within the Doctoral Network. Successful candidates will be offered an employment contract in line with the European Charter for Researchers.
- 7Status Tracking
Once you have applied for a specific vacancy, the tracking of your application status will typically be managed directly by the recruiting institution(s) or via the platform they use for applications. There isn't a centralized EU portal for individual application status tracking for these project-specific vacancies.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Can Indian students directly apply for the 'Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks' scholarship?
No, Indian students cannot directly apply for a 'scholarship' in the traditional sense from the European Commission. The MSCA Doctoral Networks program provides grants to consortia of universities, research institutions, and other organisations to implement doctoral programmes. Individual doctoral candidates, including those from India, then apply for specific PhD vacancies advertised by these funded projects. These vacancies are widely advertised, notably on the EURAXESS Jobs portal. Indian institutions can also participate in these networks as 'Associated Partners' but generally need to bear their own costs.
What are the financial benefits for a doctoral candidate, and are they sufficient to cover living costs in Europe?
Doctoral candidates recruited under MSCA Doctoral Networks receive a gross salary package that includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and potentially a family allowance (if eligible). While the exact amounts for the 2026 call have increased from previous years (living allowance up from €4,010/month), these are gross figures. The net amount received will depend on the country correction coefficient of the host institution's country, national taxes, and social security deductions. These allowances are generally considered competitive and designed to cover living costs comfortably in the European host country. For an Indian student, this means relocating to Europe and adhering to the financial and tax regulations of the host country.
Are there specific academic percentage requirements for Indian students to be eligible for these positions?
The primary eligibility criteria for individual doctoral candidates are centered on their research experience and mobility, rather than specific minimum academic percentage marks. A candidate must not already hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment and must be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project. Crucially, they must comply with the MSCA mobility rule, meaning they should not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. The selection by the host institution is merit-based, considering the candidate's scientific skills and the relevance of their research experience.
Plan your study abroad
Use these guides to plan your next steps. Check this scholarship's eligibility before choosing a university or program.
Explore international scholarships →Similar Opportunities You Can Apply For Today
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) — Central & UGC Schemes 2026
Applications OpenMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Post-Matric Scholarships in India — Complete Portal Guide 2026
Applications OpenVarious State & Central Ministries
DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates
Closing SoonGerman Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
Applications OpenHeinrich Böll Foundation
Discover More
Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official European Commission website before final submission.