Announced on 1 October 2026 at the high-level event marking the 30th anniversary of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the additional funding forms part of the Commission’s broader Choose Europe approach to attracting and retaining research talent.
The top-up comes in response to record demand for opportunities to pursue research careers in Europe. The 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call received 21,627 applications from researchers around the world. This is the highest number ever recorded for the programme and the highest number of proposals received for any funding action in more than 40 years of EU research and innovation framework programmes.
"Researchers are choosing Europe. They know that we value and support science, and that Europe offers an environment where talent and ideas can thrive. For 30 years, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions have helped researchers from around the world build their careers in Europe. With this additional funding, we are strengthening our commitment to world-class research and ensuring that European societies and economies can benefit from cutting-edge knowledge, ideas and innovation."
Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
This boost will allow more researchers to benefit from MSCA opportunities and strengthen Europe’s capacity to attract and retain research talent. With more than €1.3 billion foreseen for the MSCA in 2027, the programme will continue to strengthen Europe’s research base, support the careers of world-class researchers and contribute to its long-term competitiveness.
"The Union of Skills is about investing in people and ensuring that Europe has the talent and skills it needs to thrive. Researchers are at the heart of this ambition. Through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, we are helping researchers develop their skills, gain experience across borders and sectors, and build sustainable careers in Europe."
Roxana Mînzatu
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness
The announcement follows the Commission’s adoption of the amended Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, which will provide the last MSCA funding opportunities under the current Horizon Europe 2021-27 Framework Programme.
More funding for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Networks
The additional funding will bring the budgets for both Postdoctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Networks to their highest-ever levels in 2026 and 2027, although demand for both actions is expected to remain considerably higher than the funding available.
For 2026, the budget for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships will reach €434 million, while MSCA Doctoral Networks will reach €628 million.
In 2027, the budgets will increase further, reaching €459 million for Postdoctoral Fellowships and €645 million for Doctoral Networks.
The increased funding is expected to support more than 700 additional researchers. Based on current estimates, the 2027 Postdoctoral Fellowships call could support more than 1,800 postdoctoral researchers, while the 2027 Doctoral Networks call could support over 2,000 doctoral candidates.
"The competition for the brightest minds is global. Europe must be a place where talented researchers not only want to come, but where they can build their careers and their futures. That is the ambition behind Choose Europe for Science. With more than €210 million in additional funding for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, we will create opportunities for more researchers to pursue their curiosity, develop new ideas and contribute to Europe’s research, innovation and competitiveness."
Ekaterina Zaharieva
Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Work Programme 2026-2027
EC Press Release on MSCA Choose Europe booster
30 years of curiosity that changes the world
2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Since their creation in 1996, more than 150,000 researchers have participated in the programme, including 23 Nobel laureates. What began as a programme supporting around 800 researchers each year has grown into one of Europe’s flagship programmes for research careers, now supporting around 8,000 researchers annually.
Over three decades, the MSCA have supported researchers across countries, disciplines and sectors, helping Europe attract international talent, strengthen research careers and create connections between research, innovation and industry. Today, companies account for almost 50% of organisations taking part in the programme, including a growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which benefit from access to highly skilled international research talent. In the last five years alone, more than 4,000 companies have participated in MSCA projects.
To mark the anniversary, the Commission has also launched a new interactive publication featuring more than 100 stories from the MSCA community. Through an interactive timeline, a world map and stories covering a wide range of scientific fields, the publication showcases the people, ideas and achievements that have shaped the programme over the past 30 years.
More information
Learn more about the programme, its objectives and its impact on research careers.
Video interview with Prof. Dr. Hélène Langevin-Joliot
Granddaughter of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, sharing insights on her legacy and its relevance today.
Events across Europe and beyond
A selection of events organised by MSCA networks to mark the anniversary.