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Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie ActionsMSCA Doctoral Networks

MSCA Doctoral Networks implement doctoral programmes through partnerships of organisations from different sectors across Europe and beyond. The aim of Doctoral Networks is to train creative, entrepreneurial, innovative and resilient doctoral candidates, able to face current and future challenges. For the participating organisations, this action also aims to improve their internationalisation and knowledge transfer between institutions, sectors and disciplines. In addition to standard Doctoral Networks (DN), Industrial Doctorates (DN-ID) and Joint Doctorates (DN-JD) are also possible.

Standard Doctoral Network (DN)

Network of at least three organisations from three different EU Member States (MS) or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (AC) and at least one from an MS.

  • Eligibility: Doctoral Networks are open to international consortia of universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs and other non-academic organisations. At least three independent legal entities from three different MS or AC have to participate in the consortium, and at least one of them has to be based in an MS. On top, other institutions from any country in the world can join. Every beneficiary of the MSCA-DN has to recruit at least one doctoral researcher.
    For resubmissions, restrictions apply for those proposals that received a score below 80% the previous year.
  • Duration: Up to 4 years.
  • Funding conditions: All areas of research may be funded. The duration of each doctoral fellowship is between 3 and 36 months. For each doctoral researcher a living allowance, a mobility allowance and, if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances are provided. In addition, the EU provides funding for research, training and networking activities as well as management and indirect costs. Secondments of doctoral students to the other institutions in the network are possible. Doctoral students must be enrolled in a doctoral program.
  • Mobility rules: The doctoral researchers funded by a MSCA Doctoral Network must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

Industrial Doctorate (DN-ID)

Doctoral Network with a substantial involvement of the non-academic sector. 

  • Eligibility: In addition to the above criteria for standard Doctoral Networks, at least two of the minimum three independent legal entities have to be from different sectors (academic or non-academic respectively). Doctoral researchers funded by this kind of Doctoral Network should spend at least 50% of their time outside academia.
  • Duration: Up to 4 years.
  • Funding conditions: See standard Doctoral Network above.
  • Mobility rules: See standard Doctoral Network above.

Joint Doctorate (DN-JD)

Doctoral network enabling joint or multiple doctoral degrees.

  • Eligibility: In addition to the above criteria for standard Doctoral Networks, the following criteria apply: Out of a minimum of three independent legal entities entitled to award doctorates, at least two institutions must have the right to award joint, double or multiple doctorates and be based in an MS or AC.
  • Duration: Up to 5 years.
  • Funding conditions: See Standard Doctoral Network above. However, in case of Joint Doctorates a doctoral fellowship may last between 3 and 48 months.
  • Mobility rules: See standard Doctoral Network above.

Information & Counselling

Research Support

The Heidelberg Research Service team is happy to advise and assist you in the application process for an MSCA Doctoral Network. 

For example, we can provide you with information for Table B2. For joint doctorates a letter of pre-agreement by the host institution is needed. Please contact us on that matter in good time before the application deadline.

Heidelberg Research Service

KoWi (European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations) and the German NCP MSC (National Contact Point regarding MSCA) also offer information and advice on the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie-Actions within Horizon Europe.

Data of Heidelberg University for the Electronic Proposal Submission 

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999987648
Legal name: RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITÄT HEIDELBERG
Short name: UHEI
LEAR: Dr. Günther R. Mittler,  guenther.mittler@zuv.uni-heidelberg.de

Gender Equality Plan

Since 2022, the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is a mandatory criterion for all public institutions, universities and research institutions applying for Horizon Europe calls for proposals. The Senate of Heidelberg University adopted a Gender Equality Plan 2021-2025 in February 2021.

Find Partners

If you intend to apply for a MSCA Doctoral Network, the “Partner Search” in the EU Funding & Tenders portal may be a helpful tool to find collaboration partners.