Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (MSCA - IF)

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) are one of the actions through which the European Commission financially support international mobility of experienced researchers within European Countries or between a European country and a country outside Europe. MSC fellows carry out their own research project in collaboration with a host institution, which is indicated at the time of their application.  Researchers of all ages, nationalities and scientific disciplines can apply.

MSCA fellowships are intended to give researchers the chance to boost their career by developing new scientific competences and gaining international and collaborative research experience. The MSC grant consists in an allowance covering living, travel and family expenses. Research, networking and training costs as well as management and indirect costs faced by the host organization are also recognized.

MSCA IF: Project info sheets

  About the Action: European and Global Fellowships

Two types of Individual Fellowships are available.

  • European Fellowships are spent in European or Associated Countries and are open to researchers either coming to Europe or moving within Europe for a period of one to three years.
  • Global Fellowships fund secondments to Third Countries and are addressed to researchers whose Host Organization is based in a European or Associated Country. Fellows work in the Third Country for a period of one to two years and must then return to their Host Organization for a period of one year.

  Who can apply: general eligibility conditions

Eligibility conditions are defined in the Work Programme, which is available on the European Commission Funding & Tenders Portal. The annual Call opens in mid-April and closes in mid-September.

We will support your application if at the date of the relevant deadline for the submission of IF proposals

Researchers already working at the University of Padova can apply for a MSC Global Fellowship, spending 12 to 24  months in a Third Country Partner Organization and then coming back to the University of Padova.

Researchers from all over the world applying for a MSCA-IF are welcome to choose Padova as their Host Institution within a European or Global fellowship, depending on their eligibility.

  Choosing Padova as your Host Institution

The University of Padova is ranked among the top three Italian universities for the quality of research and boasts an excellent national evaluation in 12 out of 20 research areas (Report on Research Excellence by the National Research Assessment Committee). We offer a great working and environment, good research facilities, performing laboratory equipment as well as the possibility to work with world class research groups.

We subscribe to the Statement of Commitment for the implementation of the ‘European Charter of Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C)’ and are rewarded by the European Commission with the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ seal. We also act as a Euraxess Contact Point and provide personalized assistance to researchers and their families.  

What the University of Padua can do for potential Msca-If applicants

The University of Padova aims at supporting excellent research to be conducted within its premises and works to attract young researchers carrying out high quality, innovative and ambitious research. The University of Padova has a large community of fellows and ranks second place at national level for number of Ifs. Through a dedicated International Research Office we support Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellow candidates both in the application process and in managing the grant.

  Support services before the proposal submission

If you are a MSCA-IF candidate and are interested in working with us, send us a draft of your project (use the template of the European Commission – Part B) by mid-July. The International Research Office – Individual Grants Team (individual.grants@unipd.it) will review your proposal and provide you with a step by step guide on how to submit a successful project with the University of Padova.

You are also welcome to participate in the  MSCA MaRaThoN@UniPD : Master your Research and Training Needs, a three-day intensive training programme specifically dedicated to experienced researchers willing to apply for the 2019 MSCA Individual Fellowships call in collaboration with a Supervisor of the University of Padova.

In order to find a potential supervisor and learn about their research team, go through the expressions of interest listed at this link, or search the database of researchers  working at the University.

  After the award of the Individual Fellowship

We offer MSC fellows a variety of training opportunities to develop their soft and transferable skills:

  • International careers chances for young researchers;
  • How to communicate research: dissemination strategies, importance of the data management plan and of publishing in Open Access;
  • The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment;
  • Cross cutting issues: responsible research and innovation, ethical aspects and gender equality;
  • Intellectual property rights.

  Alternative funding for Seal of Excellence Projects

In case you choose the University of Padova as your Host Institution and your project is not selected for funding, but the European Commission awards you the “Seal of Excellence – MSC Actions”, our University offers you an alternative funding under the MSCA Seal of Excellence @ University of Padova  programme.

You have the possibility to apply for a grant of 50.000 Euros per project year (covering an employment contract and a 10.000 Euros budget for research, networking and training activities).


International Research Office

via Martiri della libertà 8, 35137 Padova, Italy
tel. +39 049.827 1947 / 1945
fax +39 049.827 1911
international.research@unipd.it