MSCA-DN

The MSCA - Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. Five different types of grants are available in the MSCA programme, aiming to set up different types of training networks or training programmes. Other grants fund fellowships or events to increase the popularity of science in society.

The objective of Doctoral Networks is to implement doctoral programmes by partnerships of organisations from different sectors across Europe and beyond to train highly skilled doctoral candidates, stimulate their creativity, enhance their innovation capacities and boost their employability in the long-term.

Doctoral Networks implement doctoral programmes, by partnerships of universities, research institutions and infrastructures, businesses including SMEs, and other socio-economic actors from different countries across Europe and beyond. These doctoral programmes will respond to well-identified needs in various research and innovation areas, expose the researchers to the academic and non-academic sectors, and offer research training, as well as transferable skills and competences relevant for innovation and long-term employability.

All areas of research may be funded and Doctoral Networks can last for up to 4 years. The duration of each fellowship is between 3 and 36 months. Each beneficiary must recruit at least one doctoral candidate and can also organise secondments for them anywhere in the world.

Researchers funded by Doctoral Networks
• 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 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date

The EU provides support for each recruited researcher in the form of
• A living allowance
• A mobility allowance
• If applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances

In addition, funding is provided for
• Research, training and networking activities
• Management and indirect costs

Important links
European Commission - Doctoral Networks
Information note for Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows in Doctoral Networks