Study Abroad Scholarship · PhD

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks

Q: Can Indian citizens apply for MSCA Doctoral Networks?

Yes, MSCA Doctoral Networks are open to researchers of any nationality worldwide, including Indian citizens. The main eligibility conditions relate to academic qualifications (not already holding a doctoral degree) and the mobility rule, which requires candidates not to have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

Q: What is the application process for students?

As a student, you do not apply directly to the European Commission for an MSCA Doctoral Networks scholarship. Instead, you apply for specific PhD vacancies advertised by international consortia that have already secured MSCA funding. These vacancies are typically published on the EURAXESS Jobs Portal (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/search). You will search for suitable projects, review their specific requirements, and then apply directly to the recruiting host institution or consortium according to their instructions.

Q: What does the scholarship cover, and is it sufficient for living costs?

The scholarship primarily provides a gross living allowance (EUR 4,250 per month for the 2026 call), a mobility allowance, and potentially family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances. While the allowances are designed to be attractive, the net amount will vary depending on national tax and social security deductions in the host country. Therefore, researchers should consider the cost of living in the specific European country where they will be based.

European Commission · All India

Annual AwardEUR 4,250 (approx. ₹61.7 Lakh+)

Deadline24 Nov

Scheme Name	Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks
Provided By	European Commission
Eligibility Summary	Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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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

EUR 4,250 (approx. ₹61.7 Lakh+)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks scholarship primarily provides a living allowance, which for the 2026 call has increased to EUR 4,250 per person-month. This equates to approximately INR 5,599,800 annually (based on an approximate exchange rate of 1 EUR = 109.8 INR as of September 2026). In addition to the living allowance, researchers may also receive a mobility allowance and, if applicable, family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances. The funding is provided to the host institution consortium, which then recruits and employs doctoral candidates, so the payment schedule is determined by the recruiting institution. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is an international European Commission program.

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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.
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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.
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Nationality:Candidates can be of any nationality.
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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.
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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

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Doctoral candidates are recruited by international consortia of universities, research institutions, and businesses that have successfully secured funding from the European Commission for a Doctoral Network project
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The selection process for individual doctoral candidates must be open, transparent, and merit-based, in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
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Vacancies are widely advertised internationally, including on the EURAXESS portal
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To be eligible, candidates must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment and must comply with a mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, study, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date
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While there are no universal minimum academic marks set by the European Commission, individual host institutions will have their own admission requirements for doctoral programs.

Renewal Policy

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The MSCA Doctoral Networks support doctoral programs with a maximum duration of four years (five years for Joint Doctorates)
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Individual research fellowships (employment contracts) typically range from 3 to 36 months for standard Doctoral Networks and Industrial Doctorates, and up to 48 months for Joint Doctorates
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Renewal of the fellowship or continuation of funding is tied to the duration of the approved project and the satisfactory performance of the doctoral candidate within their employment contract with the host institution
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There is no separate 'renewal' application for the researcher, as their position is part of a larger, pre-funded project.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

1
Understand the Program
Familiarize yourself with the MSCA Doctoral Networks (DN) program, which funds doctoral programs implemented by international consortia, not individual scholarships directly from the European Commission. You will be applying for a PhD position within one of these funded projects.
2
Search for Vacancies
Visit the EURAXESS Jobs Portal (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/search). This is the primary platform where funded MSCA Doctoral Network projects advertise their PhD vacancies. Use filters to refine your search by research area, country, and other criteria.
3
Review Eligibility Criteria
Carefully check the specific eligibility criteria for each advertised position, including the MSCA mobility rule (you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date) and the requirement of not holding a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
4
Prepare Your Application
Each host institution or consortium will have its own application requirements. Typically, this involves submitting a CV, academic transcripts, motivation letter, and research proposal. Tailor your application to the specific project and institution.
5
Submit Your Application
Follow the instructions provided in the vacancy notice on EURAXESS to submit your application directly to the recruiting institution or consortium.
6
Track Status
The status tracking process will depend on the individual recruiting institution or consortium. They will usually inform applicants about the different stages of the selection process.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Can Indian citizens apply for MSCA Doctoral Networks?

Yes, MSCA Doctoral Networks are open to researchers of any nationality worldwide, including Indian citizens. The main eligibility conditions relate to academic qualifications (not already holding a doctoral degree) and the mobility rule, which requires candidates not to have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

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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.