The MSCA Doctoral Networks scheme (MSCA-DN) supports the creation of international doctoral programmes. The partnerships proposing the doctoral programmes may consist of universities, research institutions, research infrastructures, businesses, SMEs and other socio-economic actors.
The scheme is completely bottom-up with no pre-selected research topics, but the proposed doctoral programmes should respond to well-identified needs within research and innovation. There are three types of MSCA DN:
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Doctoral Networks
Joint research training for PhDs, implemented by at least three partners from in and outside academia. The recruited PhD candidates should experience different sectors and develop their transferable skills by working on joint research projects.
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Industrial Doctorates
Training of PhD candidates who wish to develop their skills and step outside academia, in particular in industry and business. Individual participants must be enrolled in a doctoral programme and jointly supervised by academic and non-academic partners.
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Joint Doctorates
A highly integrated type of international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration in doctoral training leading to a joint doctoral degree or multiple doctoral degrees awarded by the participating institutions. PhD candidates must be enrolled in a joint programme and be jointly supervised. A pre-existing agreement must exist at the application deadline.
A strict requirement for the Faculty of Medicine to participate in Joint Doctorates is to have the role of "beneficiary". The faculty will not support such projects where UiO are designated "associated partner" in joint doctorate funding schemes.
What will be funded?
- Doctoral Networks can last for up to four years. The duration of each fellowship is up to 36 months.
- Industrial and Joint Doctorates may receive funding for up to 15 PhDs. Standard Doctoral Networks may receive funding for up to 10 PhDs.
The EU provides support for each recruited researcher in the form of unit costs. These include:
- a living allowance
- a mobility allowance
- if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances
- research, training and networking activities
- management and indirect costs
General eligibility
At least three partners established in different EU member states or associated countries. One partner must be from an EU member state
Each beneficiary (partner) must recruit at least one doctoral candidate and can also organise secondments for them anywhere in the world.
Specific conditions apply to Industrial and Joint Doctorates.
Requirements for the recruited researchers
- must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment
- can be of any nationality
- should be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project
- should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date