Most scholarships ask you to apply to the scholarship. The Horizon Europe Doctoral Networks, part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), do not work that way. The European Union funds groups of universities, research institutes and companies, and those groups then hire PhD candidates for specific projects. You apply for a job-like PhD position, not for a general award. Once that clicks, the whole process makes much more sense.
This guide explains how the program is structured, who can be recruited, what the funding covers, and where Pakistani applicants tend to trip up. You can also read the full scholarship details on our site.
The program in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded (living, mobility and research costs) |
| Level | PhD |
| Fields | All areas of research |
| Provider | European Commission |
| Where | EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with partners worldwide |
| Deadline | Varies by vacancy. Confirm on the official site |
| Nationality | Any nationality |
| Official site | MSCA Doctoral Networks |
How a doctoral network is actually built
A doctoral network is a consortium. It must include at least three independent legal entities established in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and at least one of them has to be in an EU Member State. Organizations from any other country in the world can join as extra partners. In practice this means a single project might link a university in one country, a research lab in another and a private company or SME in a third.
The point of this setup is training researchers who can work inside and outside universities. The program is built around employability and innovation, so expect secondments, joint training events and time spent with non-academic partners.
A whole project can last up to four years, or up to five years for Joint Doctorate projects. Your individual fellowship sits inside that window and can run from 3 to 36 months, or up to 48 months for Joint Doctorate fellowships. Read the length stated in each vacancy carefully, because a fellowship shorter than your full PhD means you need to know how the remaining time is funded.
Three types of doctorate, and why the type matters to you
The program funds three kinds of positions:
- Standard Doctoral Networks, which are the general form of the program.
- Industrial Doctorates, aimed at preparing candidates for careers outside academia. Candidates must spend at least 50 percent of their time outside academia.
- Joint Doctorates, which are highly integrated, interdisciplinary collaborations leading to a joint or multiple doctoral degree.
My honest view: if you already know you want an industry career, an Industrial Doctorate is a strong fit, but do not apply to one just because it is open. Spending half your time with a company is a real commitment. If you want to stay in academia, a standard or Joint Doctorate position may suit you better. Joint Doctorates also give you the chance of a degree from more than one institution, which some students value highly.
What the funding pays for
The program is fully funded. The cost categories include:
- A living allowance for the recruited researcher
- A mobility allowance
- A family allowance, if applicable
- A long-term leave allowance, if applicable
- A special needs allowance, if applicable
- Funding for research, training and networking activities
- Coverage of management and indirect costs
The first five items relate to you directly. The last two go to the host and the network to run the training. Exact amounts are not fixed in one place for every position, so check the vacancy advertisement or ask the recruiting institution what your actual monthly pay will be. If you are married or have children, ask specifically whether the family allowance applies to your situation.
Can Pakistani students be recruited?
Yes. The program is open to researchers of any nationality, as long as they meet the mobility rule and the criteria of the recruiting institution. A Pakistani graduate is therefore treated like any other applicant. What decides your eligibility is the set of conditions below, not your passport.
- You must not hold a doctoral degree on the date of recruitment.
- You must be enrolled in a doctoral program during the project.
- You must meet the mobility rule.
- For Industrial Doctorates, you must spend at least 50 percent of your time outside academia.
Why the 12-in-36 mobility rule matters
This is the rule that catches people. You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, study) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date.
For most students applying straight from Pakistan, this is easy to meet. The risk is for students already abroad. If you did your master's in Germany and now apply to a German host, you will probably fail the rule. That same student could still be eligible for a position in France or the Netherlands. So before you write a single application, list the countries where you have lived in the last three years and how long you spent in each. Then rule out any host country where you crossed 12 months.
Finding and applying for a position
Because you apply to projects, the search is the hard part. Vacancies are advertised internationally, mainly on the EURAXESS portal, and that portal is updated daily. The steps are simple on paper:
- Browse EURAXESS for open PhD vacancies funded by MSCA Doctoral Networks.
- Pick a specific project or institution that matches your background.
- Read the full requirements in that vacancy advertisement.
- Apply directly to the institution or project following its own instructions.
Each network sets its own process. Some ask for a CV and motivation letter only, others want references, transcripts or a research statement. Many networks advertise several positions at once, sometimes across different countries, so read whether you can apply to more than one position in the same network.
Documents depend on the vacancy
There is no single document list for this program. Requirements vary by project, and the individual job posting on EURAXESS is the authority. Even so, you can prepare the usual items early: degree certificates and transcripts, an English-language CV in academic format, and contact details for referees. Attestation of Pakistani degrees takes time, so if a host asks for attested copies, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide will help you plan. The general documents checklist for international scholarships is also a good starting point.
Timing: there is no single deadline
There are two separate clocks here. The first is the call for consortia, which opens on a schedule that varies and is published on the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal. That call is for institutions, not for you. The second is the vacancy publication, which is ongoing: once networks are funded, they post PhD positions on EURAXESS, each with its own closing date.
So when someone asks for "the Marie Curie deadline", the honest answer is that each position has its own. Confirm the exact date in the vacancy itself, and check the official site for the current cycle.
Mistakes that cost applicants a position
The most common one is writing to the European Commission or the MSCA office asking to apply. They do not recruit candidates. Your application goes to the host institution.
The second is ignoring the mobility rule until after an interview. Check it first.
The third is sending the same generic motivation letter to every project. These are narrow, defined research projects. Your letter should show you read that project's description and explain why your thesis, skills or lab experience fit it.
A few habits help:
- Check EURAXESS often, since new vacancies appear daily.
- Use EURAXESS for practical advice on visas, taxation and recognition of qualifications in your host country.
- Contact the National Contact Point in your host country if you have questions about participation rules.
- Read the extra conditions for Industrial and Joint Doctorates before applying.
For the visa stage, read up on common student visa rejection reasons so you are not surprised. And if you are weighing other European options at the same time, see all Europe scholarships in our hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply if I already have a PhD?
No. You must not hold a doctoral degree on the date you are recruited.
Are Pakistani nationals eligible?
Yes. Candidates can be of any nationality. You still need to meet the mobility rule and the recruiting institution's own criteria.
Where do I find open positions?
Mainly on the EURAXESS portal, which is updated daily with new vacancies funded by these networks.
What exactly is the mobility rule?
In general, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date.
Which research fields are covered?
All areas of research. The topic depends on the specific project, so search vacancies by your field.
Will I earn a degree from more than one university?
Only in some tracks. Joint Doctorates can lead to a joint or multiple doctoral degree. For other positions, check the degree arrangement in the vacancy.
Before you apply, confirm the current rules on the official MSCA Doctoral Networks website and review the full scholarship details on Titans Abroad.