Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions 2026

The Centre for International Studies (CERI) /Sciences Po-CNRS) invites expressions of interest from outstanding postdoctoral researchers wishing to apply for the Horizon Europe MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 call. Selected candidates will be hosted at CERI for a period of two to three years.

Founded in 1952 at Sciences Po, CERI is a leading international research center in comparative politics and international relations, with a particular focus on the political transformations and dynamics of the Global South.

As a joint research unit of the CNRS and Sciences Po (UMR 7050), CERI is fully integrated into European and international academic networks and maintains close links with public institutions, civil society, and international organisations.

We seek to host candidates with ambitious research projects who are eager to develop their work within a vibrant and highly stimulating international research environment.

Application process

The application must include the following documents:

• A letter of intent explaining the candidate’s interest in being hosted at CERI and specifying the name of the proposed academic supervisor at CERI, together with his or her formal agreement to supervise the project and to work with the candidate between May and September 2026 on the preparation of the proposal to be submitted to the European Commission. In the case of a Global Fellowship (GF) project, the letter should also indicate the academic supervisor at the institution hosting the outgoing phase and confirm his or her agreement.
   
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.
   
• A preliminary project proposal (3-4 pages) outlining the project’s objectives, its expected contribution beyond the state of the art, the proposed methodology, and a short bibliography.

Important note: Applicants are requested to verify that they meet the eligibility requirements specified in the Appendix, before submitting their expression of interest to CERI. 

APPENDIX: Eligibility rules for the candidates

Common eligibility rules
 

• Hold a doctoral degree by the call deadline (9 September 2026).
• Have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent (FTE) research experience as of the call deadline (9 September 2026), calculated from the date the doctoral degree was awarded. The 8-year FTE limit may be extended in certain circumstances, including maternity or paternity leave, long-term sick leave, compulsory national service, periods not spent working in research, or other career breaks (see the call documents for details).

Specific eligibility rules
 

• 8 Years of FTE Research Experience: For European Fellowships (EF), research carried out in a non-associated Third Country (only for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries wishing to reintegrate in Europe) can be counted to extend the 8-year FTE limit.
• Nationality Rule: For Global Fellowships (GF), only nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible to apply.Long-term residence is defined as a period of legal and continuous residence in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries of at least five consecutive years. Pe riods of absence shorter than six consecutive months, and totaling no more than ten months within this period, are included in the calculation.
• Mobility Rule: For European Fellowships (EF), applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline (9 September 2026).
  For Global Fellowships (GF), applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the associated partner hosting the outgoing phase for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline (9 September 2026). A mandatory 12-month return phase at Sciences Po follows the outgoing phase.

Important note: In the event of a successful application, candidates will be required to provide appropriate documentation to verify their eligibility claims.