What are MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships, funded under Horizon Europe, support researchers holding a PhD to enhance their creative and innovative potential through advanced training, international mobility and two-way knowledge exchange.
The fellowships enable researchers to develop new skills, expand professional networks and strengthen their research profile by working with a leading research organisation in an EU or associated country. Fellows benefit from a structured programme of training-through-research alongside the supportive research environment at The University of Manchester.
There are two types of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship:
- European Postdoctoral Fellowships, supporting mobility within Europe or associated countries
- Global Postdoctoral Fellowships, supporting mobility outside Europe with a mandatory return phase in Europe.
Global fellowships are less common and require additional consideration of actual costs and eligibility requirements.
Key information
Status: Applications currently closed.
Next call: Expected annually (dates to be confirmed by the European Commission).
Research areas: All areas of science and engineering.
Eligibility:
- Hold a PhD by the application deadline
- Have a maximum of eight years’ full-time equivalent research experience from the date of PhD award (career breaks excluded)
- Comply with MSCA mobility rules
- Apply jointly with a host organisation.
Full eligibility criteria are set by the European Commission and should be checked carefully before applying.
Before you apply: We strongly encourage prospective applicants to contact us well ahead of the funder’s deadline. Early conversations can:
- Confirm eligibility and mobility requirements
- Identify an appropriate academic supervisor and host department
- Clarify internal support and timelines for developing a competitive proposal.
Benefits of an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship
MSCA postdoctoral fellowships provide an excellent platform for researchers to strengthen independence, develop new skills and broaden international experience.
As a Fellow at Manchester, you’ll benefit from:
- A supportive and inclusive research environment across all science and engineering disciplines
- Access to leading facilities, infrastructure and interdisciplinary expertise
- Tailored academic mentoring and career development support
- Opportunities for international collaboration and cross-sector engagement
- Structured training-through-research and knowledge exchange.
Manchester supports researchers at all career stages, promoting equality of opportunity and offering guidance on fellowship applications, funding routes and support for childcare or other responsibilities.
Application process
Confirm that you meet the MSCA eligibility and mobility rules before developing an application. These rules are strictly applied by the European Commission.
You must contact a department well in advance of the funder deadline to confirm support and understand any internal requirements.
Some departments and institutes operate additional internal processes or provide tailored support for fellowship applicants. These arrangements may affect how and when you apply and, in some cases, require an Expression of Interest (EOI) or internal selection before submission to the funder.
Contact:
- For advice on departmental fit and internal processes, contact a potential supervisor in the first instance by searching Research Explorer.
If, after carefully reviewing Research Explorer, you are unable to identify a suitable supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposal, you may contact the Department\’s Head of Research for further guidance. - For all other queries, including application development support, please contact the FSE Research Development and Innovation team.
As part of this initial engagement, you will be asked to discuss:
- Your proposed research project
- Its alignment with departmental strengths and priorities
- The most appropriate fellowship type (European or Global).
Be prepared to share:
- A CV
- A brief outline of your proposed research project.
Applications are developed jointly with the host organisation and submitted via the Funding and Tenders Opportunities Portal.
A typical application includes:
- A detailed research and training plan
- Impact and dissemination plans
- CV and track record
- Host organisation commitment and supervision arrangements.
Please note that Manchester may require draft materials in advance of the funder deadline to allow for internal review and support.
Applications are assessed by independent expert evaluators appointed by the European Commission.
Funding decisions are made following peer review, with outcomes typically confirmed several months after submission.
Successful candidates will then agree start dates with their host institution.
What our fellows say
"The University of Manchester is the perfect fit for my Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, the first awarded in the field of accelerator physics, exploring novel laser and terahertz techniques for future compact particle accelerators.
With access to world-leading expertise and facilities through the Cockcroft Institute, international collaborators such as CERN, and close proximity to the UK's largest linear accelerator test facility at Daresbury National Laboratory, Manchester is the ideal place to deliver cutting-edge accelerator science."
Dr Morgan Hibberd / Ernest Rutherford Research Fellow
Frequently asked questions
Some departments or institutes may require an Expression of Interest or operate local selection processes. Requirements vary across the Faculty of Science and Engineering, so early contact with your host department is essential.
Prospective applicants receive support identifying an academic sponsor, refining their research proposal and navigating internal review. You’ll also have access to guidance on developing a competitive fellowship application, feedback from senior academics, and information about facilities and research groups you can incorporate into your proposal.
Further questions? Get in touch
Fellowship scheme questions
- For queries about eligibility, funding rules or the MSCA programme, contact the European Commission via the Funding and Tenders Opportunities Portal.
Manchester-specific queries
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Departmental fit and internal processes
- For advice on departmental fit and internal requirements, contact a potential supervisor in the first instance by searching Research Explorer. If, after carefully reviewing Research Explorer, you are unable to identify a suitable supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposal, you may contact the Department’s Head of Research for further guidance.
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Application development and other Faculty queries
- For all other queries, including application development support, please contact the FSE Research Development and Innovation team.