Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Doctoral Networks 2026

Research

Funding organisation:

Europese Commissie

What?

Doctoral Networks implement doctoral programmes through international consortia of academic and non-academic organisations. These networks recruit doctoral candidates (DCs) to work on individual research projects within a joint research and training programme. Proposals are open to all scientific disciplines and are encouraged to address interdisciplinary research challenges.

There are three types of networks:

  1. Standard Doctoral Networks (DN)
  2. Industrial Doctorates (DN-ID): doctoral candidates are jointly trained by academic and non-academic organisations, with substantial exposure to the non-academic sector.
  3. Joint Doctorates (DN-JD): doctoral candidates participate in integrated doctoral programmes leading to a joint, double, or multiple doctoral degree.

Doctoral Networks can last up to 4 years for DN and DN-ID, and up to 5 years for DN-JD. The recruitment period for each doctoral candidate is 3-36 months for DN and DN-ID, and 3-48 months for DN-JD.
A consortium must include at least three independent legal entities established in three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, of which at least one must be established in an EU Member State. Additional organisations from any country in the world may participate as beneficiaries or associated partners.

Each beneficiary must recruit at least one doctoral candidate. Secondments to other beneficiaries or associated partners worldwide are encouraged to enhance international and intersectoral exposure.

For DN and DN-JD, the maximum secondment duration has been increased to half of the researcher’s recruitment period (i.e., up to 18 months for a 36-month recruitment period). In addition, for beneficiaries established in non-associated third countries, doctoral candidates may now be enrolled solely in a doctoral programme offered in that country, provided that in DN-JD projects the doctoral degree is jointly, doubly, or multiply awarded by at least one organisation established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. 

New in 2026: RAISE Doctoral Networks for AI in Science

As part of the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call, the European Commission launches the pilot initiative RAISE (Researchers in AI for Science in Europe).

RAISE Doctoral Networks aim to train a new generation of researchers at the interface between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and scientific discovery. The initiative seeks to strengthen Europe's capacity in AI-enabled research across scientific disciplines by supporting doctoral training programmes that combine excellence in a scientific domain with advanced AI methodologies.

RAISE proposals must comply with all standard MSCA Doctoral Network requirements while demonstrating a strong focus on the development and application of AI for scientific research. The pilot initiative is expected to support interdisciplinary training and foster collaboration between academic and non-academic sectors active in AI and data-driven science.

Researchers planning a Doctoral Network proposal in areas where AI is used to advance scientific discovery are strongly encouraged to explore this new funding opportunity.

Who?

Doctoral candidates recruited by the network:

  • can work in any research field;
  • can be of any nationality;
  • must not hold a doctoral degree on the date of recruitment;
  • must be enrolled in a doctoral programme;
  • should work full-time on the project;
  • must comply with the mobility rule.
Mobility rule
At the date of recruitment, doctoral candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

Doctoral candidates receive high-quality scientific training, transferable skills training, career development support, and international and intersectoral mobility opportunities.
  

Application?

Proposals must be submitted through the HORIZON Europe Participant Portal. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Research Coordination Office at an early stage of proposal preparation.

Key novelties of the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call

  • Introduction of the RAISE Doctoral Networks for AI in Science pilot initiative.
  • Evaluation thresholds: Proposals must obtain a minimum score of 3/5 for each evaluation criterion (Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of the Implementation).
  • Resubmission restrictions: Proposals scoring below 80% in the MSCA DN 2025 call are not eligible for resubmission as a similar proposal in the 2026 call.
More specific UHasselt facts and figures to complete the application form can be found on our intranet page.
  

Regulations?

Doctoral Networks timeline:

  • 24 November 2026: Deadline for submitting proposals
  • April 2027: Notification of call results
  • July 2027: Grant agreement signature
  • September 2027: First projects start

More information?

Further readings:


Upcoming events:
UKRO MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Call Information Webinar - 18/06/2026

Deadline intern

17.11.2026, 24.11.2026

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail ilse.das@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211268098

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