MSCA 'Choose Europe for Science' 2026
ID 167 2026-12-08 / 2027-04-06
Description
Following the 2025 pilot action, the MSCA will run a second Choose Europe for Science call in 2026 with a reinforced budget of €51.25 million. The MSCA Choose Europe for Science scheme aims to increase the attractiveness of European research careers by addressing precarity and offering excellent working conditions, turning the current challenge of brain drain in the R&I sector into brain gain.
The objective of MSCA Choose Europe for Science is to
increase the attractiveness of European research careers by addressing the issue of precarity
offer excellent working conditions, turning the current challenge of brain drain in the research and innovation sector into brain gain
The pilot action supports projects in which academic and non-academic organisations recruit postdoctoral researchers, with a view to offering longer-term employment beyond the project period.
The main novelty of the initiative is that organisations will be selected also based on their offers of longer-term professional perspectives. This is in addition to the goal of spreading MSCA’s best practices by promoting high standards and excellent working conditions.
Who can apply?
A single legal entity in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country applies and is responsible for recruiting the researchers. Additional associated partners can be included in the project.
The total budget for this call is €22.5 million. A beneficiary can receive a maximum of €3.5 million for this call.
What does the funding cover?
Projects should recruit at least 3 researchers for up to 5 years, with MSCA co-funding the first 2 to 3 years and the institutions providing the funding (with internal or external funds) for an additional 2 years.
Funding helps host organisations cover a fixed amount (Choose Europe for Science allowance) to support any cost items of the programme, equivalent to the minimum salary that researchers should receive during the first 2-to-3-year phase of the project (€6700), a long-term leave allowance and a special needs allowance, if applicable, for each supported researcher.