The EU co-finances 31 doctoral and postdoctoral programs through MSCA, with a budget of 105.6 million euros

Brussels, November 18, 2025 - The European Commission will co-finance 31 doctoral and postdoctoral training programs through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), under the COFUND 2025 call, with a total investment of 105.6 million euros. The 14 doctoral programs and 17 selected postdoctoral fellowship programs will enhance the capacity of European institutions to recruit international talent and provide high-standard research conditions.

According to the Commission, 136 applications were submitted for the 2025 COFUND call, of which 134 were eligible, and the final success rate is 23%, reflecting the intense competition and the high level of excellence required for funding. The selected programs are coordinated by organizations from 12 countries and involve 519 partner institutions from 47 countries, including EU member states, countries associated with Horizon Europe, and international partners, among which are also 69 small and medium-sized enterprises.

The projects cover a wide range of disciplines and will train approximately 1,000 researchers and innovators in cutting-edge fields of science. These include particle physics and quantum physics, the development of new imaging methods for diagnosis and therapy, sustainable energy systems in support of European climate goals, research on synthetic cells, forest resource-based bioeconomy, and the ecological transition in soft matter science. Some programs will be entirely "bottom-up," giving researchers complete freedom in choosing their topics.

Through the COFUND scheme, beneficiary institutions can create or strengthen their own training programs and attract additional funding to ensure excellent working conditions, quality supervision, training in transversal skills, international and interdisciplinary participation, as well as the integration of open science principles, ethics, and gender equality in research activities. The Commission emphasizes that these programs enhance the attractiveness of European organizations and strengthen innovation capacity at the regional and national levels.

The complete list of projects will be published after the grant agreement signing process is completed, both on the dedicated COFUND call page and on the CORDIS platform. Individual evaluation results can be consulted by applicants on the Funding & Tenders portal.

https://2eu.brussels/articol/stiri/ue-cofinanteaza-31-de-programe-doctorale-si-postdoctorale-prin-msca-cu-un-buget-de-1056-milioane-euro