Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks 2026

The European Commission has announced the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call under its Horizon Europe framework. This initiative funds highly competitive, international doctoral programmes implemented by partnerships of universities, research institutions, and businesses. The program is explicitly open to third-country organizations, allowing the University of Malawi (UNIMA) to join global consortia to host, train, and exchange elite PhD researchers. The funding supports structured doctoral programs, including traditional, Industrial, or Joint Doctorates.

• Consortium Composition: Proposals must be submitted by a partnership of a minimum of three independent legal entities established in three different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
• UNIMA Participation: Organizations from low- and middle-income countries like Malawi are fully eligible to join as partners and receive direct EU funding to train doctoral candidates.
• Recruitment Standards: Vacancies must be open, transparent, merit-based, and advertised globally on the EURAXESS portal, explicitly stating the gross salary offered.

All Research & Innovation (R&I) fields (Bottom-up approach). See the call website

Funding Scope: Covers doctoral candidate allowances, research costs, management, and overheads.

The program aims to train creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative doctoral candidates. Funded networks must provide:

• Intersectoral Exposure: Training across both academic and non-academic sectors (SMEs, industry, NGOs).
• Transferable Skills: Curricula covering intellectual property rights, research commercialisation, leadership, and communication.
• Global Mobility: Funding requires researchers to move across countries to foster international partnerships and career-long-term employability.

Because this is a consortium-based framework, you must submit applications as a consortium, not through UNIMA alone. Follow these steps to apply:

• Step 1: Create an EU Login Account: Register your profile on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Link your profile to the University of Malawi's Participant Identification Code (PIC). 999453275

• Step 2: Find a Consortium / Partner: UNIMA researchers typically participate as Associated Partners or Beneficiaries led by a European coordinator. You can find active consortia by:
  • Using the Partner Search function directly on the official funding topic page.
  • Advertising your research group's expertise on the EURAXESS Partnering Portal.
• Step 3: Draft the Proposal: Work with your international consortium partners to draft Part A (administrative forms filled directly on the portal) and Part B (the core research, training, and management project description PDF).
• Step 4: Electronic Submission: The primary European coordinator must electronically submit the finalised proposal bundle through the Funding & Tenders Portal before the official deadline.

Key Timelines (Indicative)

• Call Launch Date: May 28, 2026
• Proposal Submission Deadline: November 24, 2026
• Results Notification: April 2027
• Project Start Window: August 2027 onward

Official Channels & Application Portal

• Official Call Page: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Hub
• Submission Portal: EU Funding & Tenders Portal