What is the idea behind MSCA?

The essence of the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) is to support young researchers' all-round professional and career development.

The basis of an application is a high-quality research proposal and the development of the postdoc’s professional skills under the guidance of an experienced supervisor, whose role is significant in writing the proposal and in implementing the project.

Postdocs submit their proposals in collaboration with a host organization (academic or non-academic) under the guidance of a supervisor. The grant recipient is the host organization, which uses the funding to cover the salary and research expenses of the researcher.

What are the types of postdoctoral felllowships?

European Postdoctoral Fellowship

EPF is open to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world to pursue their research career. These fellowships take place in a European member state or associated countries and can last between 1 and 2 years.

Global Postdoctoral Fellowship

GPF funds the mobility of researchers outside Europe. The fellowship lasts between 2 and 3 years. The first 1 to 2 years will be spent in a non-associated country, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year to an organization based in an EU MS or AC. Only nationals or long-term residents of the European member states or associated countries can apply.

Double chance to get funded

What are the chances of getting a fellowship?

The MSCA-PF is a highly competitive competition. But there is a double chance of funding. You can qualify for the direct support from the MSCA-PF programme but if your proposal ends up right “below the line” there is also a “sub-competition” that you can join simply by ticking one check box in the portal for MSCA PF proposal submission when working on your MSCA PF proposal. This programme that provides the same level of support is:

• ERA Fellowship (formerly Widening Fellowship) – for postdocs in selected countries, including the Czech Republic, additional support is being allocated to accommodate a more significant number of applicants. The required score is approximately 94 points.

The evaluation depends on the quality of the research proposal and career plan, as well as the quality and match of the applicant and their supervisor.  In the MSCA PF call of 2025, around 80% of proposals submitted at MU, Faculty of Arts scored above 90 points.

What support do you get from the Project Support Office?

1. You get full support in writing the project proposal

• Attend the MSCA-PF Training Day for Candidates in April – you will learn the essentials of MSCA-PF, its benefits, and how to structure a competitive proposal. The training covers key proposal sections (Excellence, Impact, Implementation) and writing tips. 
• A two-day MSCA-PF Workshop will take place in May – a hands-on session for serious candidates with a draft proposal or a prepared project canvas. The focus is on elaborating specific sections, refining structure, writing style, overall coherence, and presentation. You will leave with plenty of notes, refined content, and sketches. The workshop will kick-start your proposal writing. 
• MSCA-PF Individual consultations will be starting in May – one-on-one regular tailored guidance on proposal development, text review, and strengthening and refining key sections.
• Therefore, the MSCA-PF support group events organized by the Rector's Office take place throughout spring 2026. If you would like to submit a proposal in the MSCA-PF call 2026, attend these events and inform the Project Support Office at the Faculty of Arts. (If there is high demand, additional group events of the same character may be organized by and for the Faculty of Arts.)

2. Relocation package

• Foreign employees who come to work at Masaryk University get support and help from the Welcome Office (WO) which is a part of the MU Centre of International Cooperation (CIC).

3. Looking for a supervisor?

• If you are looking for a supervisor, our experienced supervisors from the Faculty of Arts are interested in working with talented researchers. Read more about our researchers and departments and get in touch with them or contact our Project Support Office.