MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 offer international PhD opportunities for researchers seeking advanced doctoral training across Europe and beyond. The programme provides living and mobility allowances, with additional support potentially available for family, long-term leave and special needs. The 2026 call is open until 24 November 2026.
Background & Programme Description
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks 2026 provide opportunities for doctoral candidates to undertake research training through international partnerships involving universities, research institutions, businesses and other organisations.
The programme is designed to develop highly skilled researchers while strengthening their creativity, innovation capacity and long-term employability. Doctoral Networks bring together organisations from different sectors and countries to create doctoral programmes that combine research training with transferable skills and exposure to both academic and non-academic environments.
According to the European Commission’s MSCA information, the 2026 Doctoral Networks call is currently open, with proposals due by 24 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Unlike a conventional scholarship where an individual applies directly to the European Commission, prospective PhD candidates generally apply for specific doctoral positions created through funded Doctoral Network projects. These vacancies are advertised internationally, including through the EURAXESS research portal.
What Are MSCA Doctoral Networks?
Doctoral Networks are collaborative doctoral training programmes involving organisations from different sectors and countries.
The networks can include:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Research infrastructures
- Businesses and SMEs
- Other socio-economic organisations
The objective is to expose doctoral researchers to different research environments while developing technical expertise, transferable skills and experience relevant to future employment.
The programme supports research across all areas of research, making it relevant to candidates from a broad range of academic disciplines.
Types of Doctoral Networks
The programme includes standard Doctoral Networks as well as two specialised formats.
Industrial Doctorates
Industrial Doctorates are designed for PhD candidates who want to develop research expertise while gaining substantial experience outside traditional academia.
Candidates are jointly supervised by academic and non-academic partners and should spend at least 50% of their time outside academia.
This model can be particularly valuable for researchers interested in careers that combine advanced research with industry and business applications.
Joint Doctorates
Joint Doctorates provide highly integrated international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary doctoral training.
They involve joint supervision and lead to either a joint doctoral degree or multiple doctoral degrees, depending on the participating institutions and programme structure.
Funding and Benefits
MSCA Doctoral Networks provide financial support for recruited researchers.
The European Union provides support in the form of:
- Living allowance
- Mobility allowance
- Family allowance, where applicable
- Long-term leave allowance, where applicable
- Special needs allowance, where applicable
Additional funding is also provided for research, training and networking activities, as well as management and indirect costs associated with the projects.
The exact financial arrangements for individual doctoral vacancies can vary, so prospective applicants should carefully review the specific vacancy and project information before applying.
Eligibility Requirements
Researchers recruited through MSCA Doctoral Networks must satisfy several requirements.
Candidates:
- Must not hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
- Can be of any nationality.
- Should be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project.
- Must comply with the applicable mobility requirements.
- For Industrial Doctorates, must spend at least 50% of their time outside academia.
The mobility rule is particularly important. In general, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before recruitment.
Applicants should therefore examine the mobility requirement carefully before applying for a specific position.
Duration of the PhD Opportunities
Doctoral Network projects can last for up to four years, while Joint Doctorate projects can last for up to five years.
Individual fellowships for recruited doctoral candidates generally last between 3 and 36 months. For Joint Doctorate fellowships, the duration can range from 3 to 48 months.
Each beneficiary participating in a Doctoral Network must recruit at least one doctoral candidate and can arrange secondments for researchers in other locations around the world.
Who Can Apply?
There are two different levels of participation to understand.
Organisations apply to establish and receive funding for Doctoral Network projects. International consortia must generally include at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, with at least one organisation established in an EU Member State.
Other organisations from countries around the world can also participate subject to the applicable rules.
For individual researchers, the process is different. Candidates interested in funded PhD positions should search for vacancies arising from funded Doctoral Network projects and apply directly to the relevant institution or project.
How to Apply for an MSCA Doctoral Network PhD
Prospective PhD candidates should not submit an individual Doctoral Network proposal to the European Commission.
Instead, candidates should:
- Search for funded MSCA Doctoral Network PhD vacancies.
- Review the academic, research and mobility requirements of each position.
- Check the participating university or research organisation.
- Prepare the requested academic and supporting documents.
- Submit the application directly to the institution or project advertising the vacancy.
- Check the EURAXESS portal regularly because vacancies are updated internationally.
The European Commission states that EURAXESS vacancies provide information about the requirements of individual positions and allow researchers to apply directly to the institution or project.
Important Deadline
For organisations submitting proposals under the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call, the deadline is:
24 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.
For individual PhD candidates, application deadlines are determined by the specific funded Doctoral Network vacancy. Therefore, candidates should not assume that every PhD position has the same deadline as the overall MSCA call.
Why Consider MSCA Doctoral Networks?
The programme can provide doctoral researchers with more than research experience. Participants can gain exposure to international research environments, academic and non-academic sectors, professional networks and transferable skills.
The combination of research training, mobility and collaboration can also help researchers develop skills relevant to long-term careers in academia, industry, government, research organisations and other sectors.
For candidates interested in international doctoral research, MSCA Doctoral Networks represent an important route into European research and innovation programmes.
Additional Information
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks
Call: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026
Study level: PhD/Doctoral
Research areas: All areas of research
Eligible researchers: Candidates who do not hold a doctoral degree at recruitment
Nationality: Any nationality, subject to the applicable rules
Funding: Living and mobility allowances, plus applicable additional allowances
Individual fellowship duration: 3–36 months; up to 48 months for Joint Doctorates
Call deadline: 24 November 2026, 17:00 CET
PhD vacancies: Advertised through funded projects, including EURAXESS
Last updated by the source: 10 August 2026
Final Thoughts
The MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 provide a structured pathway for researchers seeking international PhD training combined with research, professional development and cross-sector experience.
Importantly, individual candidates should focus on finding funded Doctoral Network vacancies rather than attempting to apply directly to the overall MSCA call. Checking EURAXESS and the relevant university or research organisation is therefore an essential part of the application process.
Candidates should also carefully verify the mobility rule, academic requirements and deadline for each individual vacancy before submitting an application.
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