Funding Programmes

MSCA Doctoral Networks

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The Doctoral Networks action (DN), one out of the in total five Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under Horizon Europe, aims to implement doctoral programmes through international and inter-sectoral partnerships of universities, research institutions, and businesses (including SMEs). The 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. The doctoral programmes can cover all research areas.

Funding Opportunities

The funding can be utilised during maximum 4 years (DN and DN-ID) or 5 years (DN-JD) to support the research, training, and networking activities for recruited researchers and other management as well as for indirect cost. Additionally, each recruited researcher will receive a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and, if applicable, family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances.

The objective behind all Doctoral Networks is, as stated in the official guide for applicants, to promote international, inter-sectoral, and multi/inter-disciplinary collaboration in doctoral-level training around Europe. In addition, Doctoral Networks strive to train highly skilled doctoral candidates and stimulate entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in Europe and beyond. The programme is divided into 3 different modalities, which are also pinpointed in the official guide. All 3 modalities strive to meet the previously mentioned objectives but in different ways:

  1. Regular Doctoral Networks: Enrols candidates in a doctoral programme and a joint research project.
  2. Industrial Doctorates: Involves the non-academic sector in the doctoral training, in turn improving the match between the acquired skills and the public as well as private sector needs. Doctoral candidates are required to be enrolled in a doctoral programme and jointly supervised by the academic and non-academic partners.
  3. Joint Doctorates: Suggests creating joint doctoral programmes, which leads to the delivery of joint, double, or multiple doctoral degrees recognised in at least 2 EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Doctoral candidates are required to be enrolled in a joint programme as well as be jointly supervised. Projects can be funded for up to 5 years.

Requirements

Organisations can apply jointly, forming an international consortium with minimum 3 beneficiaries and independent legal entities. At least 3 beneficiaries must be established in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, whereof at least 1 must be established in an EU Member State.

The resulting DN network should have a clearly identified supervisory board coordinating network-wide training, research, and supervision activities in line with MSCA Guidelines for supervision. In addition, establishing continuous communication and exchange of best practices among the participating organisations to maximise the benefits of the partnership. Each Beneficiary must recruit at least one doctoral candidate and should organise secondments for them anywhere in the world by collaborating with a wider set of Associated Partners, including from the non-academic sector.

 

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For more detailed information and latest updates, see the official website of the programme.

Case stories

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