[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

April 8, 2026 (Doctoral programme) | April 8, 2026 (Postdoctoral programme)

Approx. €105.5 million total for 2026; individual project budgets and durations vary by programme type.

Co-funds new or existing doctoral and postdoctoral programmes to enhance research training, international mobility, and collaboration across disciplines and sectors in Europe.

--- ## Description The MSCA COFUND 2026 initiative, under the Horizon Europe framework, provides complementary funding to new or existing doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. The aim is to strengthen human resources in research and innovation at regional, national, and international levels by promoting best practices in research training, international and cross-sectoral mobility, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Funded programmes must include comprehensive training in transferable skills, digital technologies, open science, innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific integrity. Each recruited researcher must have a Career Development Plan tailored to their training needs and career aspirations. The scheme emphasizes open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment, high-quality supervision, and sustainable partnerships between academic and non-academic sectors. --- ## Due Dates - April 8, 2026: Full application deadline (MSCA COFUND 2026 — Doctoral programme) - April 8, 2026: Full application deadline (MSCA COFUND 2026 — Postdoctoral programme) --- ## Funding Amount - Total indicative budget for 2026: €105,457,362 (covering both doctoral and postdoctoral programmes). - Award size and duration depend on the proposed programme; funding is intended to co-finance large-scale training schemes, not individual fellowships. - Programmes are typically multi-year and support multiple researchers. --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** Legal entities (such as universities, research centers, and research-performing organizations) established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. - Proposals may cover any research discipline (bottom-up) or focus on specific areas aligned with regional or national smart specialisation strategies. - Programmes must follow MSCA best practices, including open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment and employment standards. - Researchers recruited must undertake international mobility and benefit from cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary training. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Single-stage application via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2026-COFUND-01-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=10&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Opening date:** December 16, 2025 - **Deadline:** April 8, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time - **Required documents:** Application form (Part B), project description, budget, and supporting documentation as outlined in the [call documents](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). - **Evaluation:** Proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation. - **Guidance:** Refer to the [MSCA COFUND 2026 Guide for Applicants](https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/da9f7ca3-c732-4e8b-ae66-61533a2f6e3c/library/7f3c1683-9510-4b89-8908-5dd1d529a4d7?p=1&n=10&sort=modified_DESC) and [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). --- ## Additional Information - Programmes must establish Career Development Plans for each researcher. - Doctoral programmes must align with the [EU Principles on Innovative Doctoral Training](http://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/policy_library/principles_for_innovative_doctoral_training.pdf). - All recruitment must be widely advertised internationally, including on [EURAXESS](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/). - Funding synergies with other EU and regional funds are encouraged. - Programmes should foster open science, digital skills, innovation, and knowledge valorisation. --- ## External Links - [Programme Call and Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2026-COFUND-01-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=10&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [MSCA COFUND 2026 Guide for Applicants](https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/da9f7ca3-c732-4e8b-ae66-61533a2f6e3c/library/7f3c1683-9510-4b89-8908-5dd1d529a4d7?p=1&n=10&sort=modified_DESC) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – MSCA](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-2-marie-sklodowska-curie-actions_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [EURAXESS (Vacancy Posting)](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [European Commission Contact](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

MSCA COFUND 2026 - European Commission

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