MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026: European Commission Funding for International PhD Training, Research and Doctoral Careers

Overview

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks 2026 call, funded under Horizon Europe, supports international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral doctoral training programmes. It is not an individual PhD scholarship. Consortia of eligible organisations submit proposals, and successful networks later recruit doctoral candidates through open, merit-based vacancies. Candidates from all nationalities can be recruited, subject to the programme's eligibility rules. The call opens on 28 May 2026 and closes on 24 November 2026 at 17:00 CET, with submissions made through the European Commission Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal.

Networks aim to give doctoral researchers high-quality research training, international experience, interdisciplinary and transferable skills, entrepreneurial skills, mentoring, secondments and exposure to sectors outside academia.

Who can apply

Applicants are organisations, including universities, research institutions and infrastructures, businesses and SMEs, public bodies at national, regional and local level, museums, NGOs, think tanks and charities. A consortium needs at least three independent legal entities established in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with at least one in an EU Member State.

Requirements

The call offers three models. Standard Doctoral Networks build international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral cooperation in doctoral training. Industrial Doctoral Networks strengthen links between academia and industry, with joint supervision between the two and training that includes exposure to non-academic environments. Joint Doctoral Networks support integrated programmes leading to joint or multiple doctoral degrees. They need a joint governance structure and shared procedures for recruitment, admission, supervision, evaluation, training and degree arrangements. At least three independent legal entities in the consortium must be entitled to award doctoral degrees, and at least one institution conferring the degree must be established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Key dates

The call opens on 28 May 2026 and the deadline is 24 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.