The MSCA Doctoral Networks scheme (MSCA-DN) supports the creation of international doctoral programmes. The partnerships proposing the doctoral programmes may consist of universities, research institutions, research infrastructures, businesses, SMEs and other socio-economic actors. The scheme is bottom-up with no pre-selected research topics, but the proposed doctoral programmes should respond to well-identified needs within research and innovation.
The three types of MSCA DN:
1. Doctoral Networks
Joint research training for PhDs, implemented by at least three partners from in and outside academia. The recruited PhD candidates should experience different sectors and develop their transferable skills by working on joint research projects.
2. Industrial Doctorates
Training of PhD candidates who wish to develop their skills and step outside academia, in particular in industry and business. Individual participants must be enrolled in a doctoral programme and jointly supervised by academic and non-academic partners.
3. Joint Doctorates
A highly integrated type of international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration in doctoral training leading to a joint doctoral degree or multiple doctoral degrees awarded by the participating institutions. PhD candidates must be enrolled in a joint programme and be jointly supervised. A pre-existing agreement must exist at the application deadline.
What can be funded?
- Doctoral Networks can last for up to 4 years. The duration of each fellowship is between 3 - 36 months.
- Industrial and Joint Doctorates may receive funding for more researchers than standard Doctoral Networks.
The EU provides support for each recruited researcher in the form of unit costs. These include:
- a living allowance
- a mobility allowance
- if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances
- research, training and networking activities
- management and indirect costs
General eligibility
At least 3 partners established in different EU member states or associated countries. One partner must be from an EU member state.
Each beneficiary must recruit at least one doctoral candidate and can also organise secondments for them anywhere in the world. Specific conditions apply to Industrial and Joint Doctorates.
Requirements for the recruited researchers
- must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment
- can be of any nationality
- should be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project
- should spend at least 50% of their time outside academia, for Industrial Doctorates
- should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 mth in the 36 mth immediately before their recruitment date
Further information
The information above is preliminary and subject to the final adoption and publication of the Horizon Europe Work Programme. Publication of the call and Work programme with all details is expected on 21 June.