Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks
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
The scholarship provides a gross monthly living allowance of €4,010, which is adjusted by a country correction coefficient to account for differences in purchasing power. Additionally, a monthly mobility allowance of €710 is provided. Researchers with family obligations are eligible for an extra family allowance of €660 per month. Host institutions are mandated not to charge tuition fees to recruited doctoral candidates. The estimated annual amount for a researcher, before country correction and without family allowance, is approximately €56,640, which converts to around 6,173,760 INR (using an approximate exchange rate of 1 EUR = 109 INR).
Inclusions
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
Educational Qualification
PhD
Must be enrolled in PhD.
Financial & Category
Selection Process
The selection process involves two main stages:
Consortium Proposal Evaluation:International consortia of academic and non-academic organisations submit detailed research and training programme proposals to the European Commission. These proposals are rigorously evaluated against specific criteria: Excellence (50% weighting), Impact (30% weighting), and Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation (20% weighting).
Doctoral Candidate Recruitment:If a consortium's proposal is selected for funding, the individual PhD vacancies within that project are then advertised internationally. The primary platform for these advertisements is the EURAXESS Jobs portal. Prospective doctoral candidates apply directly to these advertised positions with the recruiting host institutions. The selection of individual candidates is typically based on their academic qualifications (e.g., Master's degree), research experience, motivation, and references. This often includes personal interviews, where candidates may be required to present their Master's thesis and demonstrate their research, communication, and teamwork skills.
Renewal Policy
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.
Application Process
- 1Familiarize with the MSCA DN Scheme
Begin by thoroughly understanding the objectives, features, and different modalities (Standard, Industrial, Joint Doctorates) of the MSCA Doctoral Networks. Consult the official MSCA Doctoral Networks page and the relevant MSCA Work Programme and Guide for Applicants for detailed information.
- 2Identify a Doctoral Network Project
As an individual researcher, you do not apply directly to the European Commission for MSCA funding. Instead, you must find specific PhD vacancies that have been advertised by already funded MSCA Doctoral Network projects.
- 3Search for Vacancies
Regularly check the EURAXESS Jobs portal, which is the official and primary platform where MSCA Doctoral Network PhD positions are advertised internationally. You may also check the websites of universities and research institutions known for participating in MSCA projects.
- 4Prepare Application Documents
Assemble all required application materials. This typically includes a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), your Master's degree certificate and academic transcripts, a summary of your Master's thesis, and recommendation letters. Ensure your application form clearly outlines your motivation, qualifications, relevant skills, and specific project preferences.
- 5Submit Application
Apply directly to the recruiting host institution(s) within the chosen Doctoral Network project. Carefully follow their specific application instructions and submit all required documents by the stated deadline, usually through an online application portal.
- 6Participate in Selection Process
If your application is shortlisted, you will likely be invited for interviews. These interviews may involve presenting your Master's thesis and engaging in discussions to assess your research capabilities, communication skills, and potential for teamwork within the network.
Documents Required
Important Dates
Application Deadline
24 November 2026
The 2026 call for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks opened for submissions on May 28, 2026, with the deadline to apply by November 24, 2026.
Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.
Scholarship Quick Facts
Common Questions (FAQs)
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.
Help & Contact Support
Official Support
Need Application Help?
If you have trouble applying, you can check your eligibility or browse our step-by-step application guides.
Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, 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.
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