The objective of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. The Postdoctoral Fellowships action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. Postdoctoral Fellowships help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors.
Potential applicants should identify a suitable mentor and discuss the project with their mentor, after which they should contact the Research Grants Coordinator (researchadmin@mmll.cam.ac.uk) so that the Faculty can notify Research Operations Office (ROO) of an intention to submit grant applications with a minimum of four weeks' notice. Funder deadline: 10 September 2025
The applicant:
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should have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply;
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must have a maximum of eight years' experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree, years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe. MSCA-PF Self-assessment tool;
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should comply with mobility rules: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the beneficiary (for European Postdoctoral Fellowships), or the host organisation for the outgoing phase (for Global Postdoctoral Fellowships) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
Types of Fellowship
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European Postdoctoral Fellowships. They are open to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world to pursue their research career. These fellowships take place in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country and can last between 1 and 2 years. Researchers of any nationality can apply.
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Global Postdoctoral Fellowships. They fund the mobility of researchers outside Europe. The fellowship lasts between 2 to 3 years, of which the first 1 to 2 years will be spent in a non-associated Third Country, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year to an organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Only nationals or long-term residents of the EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply.
Both types of fellowships may also include short-term secondments anywhere in the world during the fellowship (except during the return phase of a Global Fellowship).
In an effort to build bridges between the academic and non-academic sector, researchers can receive additional support to carry out a placement of up to 6 months in a non-academic organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. This placement needs to take place at the end of their fellowship.
Recorded Information Session
The UK Research Office (UKRO) have hosted a webinar for potential applicants, which have been recorded and are on their website. Applicants are advised to watch if they have not already done so.
The recording is available on YouTube.
The slides from the event are now available: UKRO MSCA PF webinar May25
The Q&A from the event is now available: Q&A webinar May25
If applicants would like to receive feedback from a funder perspective, please contact Dr Elizabeth Penner by 19 July 2025.
