IDMEC – Mechanical Engineering Institute opens a call for receiving Expressions of Interest for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 (MSCA-PF) call HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01. Postdoctoral researcher with up to 8 years post PhD experience, interested in applying for a MSCA -PF 2026 are invited to submit their Expression of interest to be hosted in IDMEC, Lisbon, Portugal.
IDMEC offers various opportunities and dedicated support to host postdoctoral fellows in its 5 research centres as part of this program.
Procedure for submitting Expression of Interest to be hosted in IDMEC for your MSCA-PF 2026
If you are interested in applying for the MSCA-PF 2026 with IDMEC as the host institution, send us your Expression of interest to lear@idmec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt with the email subject “MSCA-PF Expression of interest – NAME OF THE CANDIDATE” by June 25th 2026 composed of the following:
- Short draft of your proposal – download template
- CV – download template
- PhD diploma copy
- Indicate the name of the possible supervisor and research center in IDMEC. Additionally, Pre-award Office of IDMEC may search for other possible supervisor within the IDMEC, that will match your research interests.
Assessment and selection of candidates
Within 10 days after the submission of the Expression of interest, all applicants will be informed if they have been selected.
Successful candidates will be put in direct contact with their supervisor and the Pre-award office. They will receive a step-by-step guide, relevant documents, and personalized support throughout the preparation process. This support will help them, in coordination with their supervisor, to develop a strong MSCA-PF proposal and submit the complete application by the 9th September 2026 deadline.
Additional advantages of applying for the MSCA-PF with IDMEC as the host institution:
The European Commission offers an opportunity through the WIDENING program, known as ERA Fellowships. This initiative supports the mobility of researchers to WIDENING countries under Horizon Europe, including Portugal. Consequently, candidates who apply to the MSCA-PF 2026 with IDMEC as their host institution and are not initially successful may still have an additional chance to secure funding. They can be considered for funding under the HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-05-WIDENING-01 call, without the need to resubmit their application.
Characteristics of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA – PF)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships are provided by the European Commission to financially support international mobility and training of researchers holding a PhD. MSCA PF fellows carry out their own research project in collaboration with a host institution based in a European Member State or Associated Country, which is indicated at the time of their application.
MSCA – PF offer researchers the chance to boost their career by developing and diversifying their competences and gaining international and collaborative research experience. The MSCA PF grant consists of an allowance covering living, travel and, if applicable, family, long-term leave, and special needs expenses. Research, networking, and training costs as well as management and indirect costs faced by the host organization are also included.
Detailed information: European Research Executive Agency and full call HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01. details on EU Funding & Tenders portal.
General eligibility criteria of the MSCA PF candidates
- Researchers must be in possession of a PhD at the call deadline.
- At the call deadline, 9th September 2026, candidate must have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date of a PhD degree and certified by appropriate documents. Career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
- Mobility rule for:
- European postdoctoral fellowships: the researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Portugal for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline 9th September 2026.
- Global Postdoctoral fellowships: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Third Country of the institution hosting the outgoing phase for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
- Researchers can be of any nationality.
- However, researchers going to a third country (“Global Postdoctoral Fellowship”) or researchers who wish to reintegrate to Europe, must be nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.