The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the most prestigious research funding programs in the world, backed by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe framework. It is designed to support experienced researchers who hold a PhD and want to take their careers to the next level through international mobility, advanced training, and cross-disciplinary research. Being selected means working at a world-class institution with full financial support and a powerful credential that opens doors across academia and industry globally.
This fellowship is open to researchers of any nationality, provided they meet the mobility and experience requirements. Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, is welcoming expressions of interest from postdoctoral candidates who want to be hosted at one of Europe’s top business and social sciences universities. Whether you are in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, or anywhere else in the world, this is your chance to bring your research to an internationally recognized institution and grow professionally in a thriving academic environment.
This post will walk you through everything you need to know about the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship at Bocconi University: what it covers, who can apply, what documents you need, how the application process works at both the Bocconi and EU levels, key dates, and practical tips to help you submit a competitive application.
Fellowship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | Italy (Bocconi University, Milan) |
| Degree Level | Postdoctoral (PhD required) |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded (EU-backed fellowship) |
| Bocconi Expression of Interest Deadline | April 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM |
| EU Application Deadline | September 9, 2026 at 17:00 CEST |
| Who Can Apply | PhD holders of any nationality meeting mobility and experience criteria |
| Benefits Summary | Full salary, research costs, travel, training support, and proposal writing assistance |
Eligibility
To be eligible for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship hosted at Bocconi University, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Citizenship: There is no nationality restriction. Researchers of any nationality are welcome to apply. What matters is where you have been living and working, not where you are from.
- Academic qualifications: You must hold a PhD degree by the time of the EU application deadline, which is September 9, 2026. If you have successfully defended your doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the degree, you are still eligible to apply.
- Research experience: You must have a maximum of 8 years of research experience, counted from the date your PhD was formally awarded. Importantly, years spent outside of research and any career breaks are not counted toward this limit. This means time spent raising a family, dealing with illness, or working outside academia does not count against you.
- Mobility requirement (European Postdoctoral Fellowship): You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, or other activities) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the EU call deadline of September 9, 2026.
- Mobility requirement (Global Postdoctoral Fellowship): You must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of your proposed host organization during the outgoing phase for more than 12 months in the same 36-month reference period.
- Work experience (if applicable): No specific prior work experience outside of research is required, but evidence of an active research profile will strengthen your application.
- Language requirements: The official MSCA program does not state a specific language requirement. English proficiency is expected for research writing and communication. Confirm any specific requirements with Bocconi’s Grants Office at grants.office@unibocconi.it.
Eligible Countries
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to researchers of any nationality. The key requirement is not your passport but your recent place of residence and research activity. For the European Postdoctoral Fellowship hosted at Bocconi (Italy), you must not have spent more than 12 months in Italy in the 36 months before September 9, 2026.
Horizon Europe Associated Countries and EU Member States are all eligible as sending or receiving countries. These include countries across:
- Europe (EU Member States): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
- Europe (Horizon Europe Associated Countries): Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and others
- Africa: Researchers from all African countries are eligible based on nationality
- Asia: Researchers from all Asian countries are eligible based on nationality
- Americas: Researchers from North, Central, and South America are eligible based on nationality
- Middle East: Researchers from all Middle Eastern countries are eligible based on nationality
- Other: Researchers from Oceania and other regions are eligible based on nationality
Eligible Fields of Study
Bocconi University is accepting applications across the following departments and fields:
- Computing Sciences
- Decision Sciences
- Economics
- Finance
- Law
- Management and Technology
- Marketing
- Social and Political Sciences
Researchers whose work falls within or across these disciplines are encouraged to apply. Bocconi’s strength lies in business, economics, social sciences, law, and technology management. Interdisciplinary proposals that span multiple of the above areas are particularly aligned with the spirit of the MSCA program.
If your research field falls entirely outside these areas, Bocconi may not be the right host for your fellowship. You may wish to explore other MSCA host institutions whose research profile better matches your discipline.
Benefits
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship is a fully funded research position. Here is what the program covers:
- Salary and living allowance: Fellows receive a full, competitive salary paid by the hosting institution (Bocconi) and funded through the EU grant. Exact amounts depend on the country of the host institution and any applicable correction coefficients.
- Research costs: A research cost allowance is provided to cover expenses directly related to your research project, including materials, fieldwork, conferences, and dissemination activities.
- Travel costs: A mobility allowance is included in the fellowship to support international travel needs.
- Family allowance: If you have a family at the time of the fellowship, you may be entitled to an additional family allowance on top of your living allowance.
- Health insurance: As an employee of Bocconi during the fellowship period, you will be enrolled in the Italian social security and health system.
- Bocconi-specific support: Bocconi’s Grants Office will support you throughout the full application process. Selected candidates get access to proposal writing training sessions held online on April 23 and June 10. A limited number of travel grants are also available to cover travel and accommodation costs for a short visit to the Bocconi campus before the EU submission deadline.
- Mentorship and networking: During your campus visit, you will meet your proposed supervisor, receive feedback on your proposal from Grants Office staff, and connect with previous MSCA grantees at Bocconi.
Required Documents
The application to Bocconi’s expression of interest stage requires the following. Note that the EU-level application will require additional documentation when submitted through the Funding and Tenders Portal.
- PhD certificate or proof of successful defense: A copy of your PhD degree certificate or an official letter confirming you have defended and are awaiting formal award.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed academic CV outlining your research experience, publications, presentations, awards, and any career breaks or periods outside research.
- Research proposal outline: A description of the research project you intend to pursue at Bocconi, including your research questions, methodology, and expected outcomes.
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose: A statement explaining why you want to conduct your postdoctoral research at Bocconi, which department and supervisor you are targeting, and how this fellowship fits your career goals.
- List of publications: A list of your academic publications, including journal articles, conference papers, book chapters, and any preprints.
- Contact details for references: Confirm with Bocconi whether recommendation letters or referee contact details are required at the expression of interest stage.
- Passport or national ID: Proof of identity and nationality.
- Proof of residence history: Documentation that supports your compliance with the mobility requirement (showing where you have lived and worked in the past 36 months).
- Language proficiency documentation: Confirm whether an English language certificate is required at either the Bocconi or EU application stage.
Note: All documents should be submitted through the dedicated Bocconi form. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
How to Apply
The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship at Bocconi involves two separate application stages: the Bocconi expression of interest stage and the EU-level submission stage. Here is the full process:
Step 1: Review the available supervisors. Visit the Bocconi MSCA page and review the list of available supervisors by department (Computing Sciences, Decision Sciences, Economics, Finance, Law, Management and Technology, Marketing, Social and Political Sciences). Identify which supervisor and research area best aligns with your expertise and proposed project.
Step 2: Review the EU-level call requirements. Read the full MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 call documentation on the Funding and Tenders Portal. Understand the fellowship types (European vs Global), the evaluation criteria, and the required proposal format at the EU level.
Step 3: Confirm your eligibility. Check that you hold (or will hold by September 9, 2026) a PhD, that you have no more than 8 years of post-PhD research experience, and that you meet the mobility requirement for Italy as a host country.
Step 4: Prepare your expression of interest documents. Draft your research proposal outline, CV, motivation letter, and any other required documents as listed in the Required Documents section above.
Step 5: Submit your expression of interest to Bocconi. Complete and submit the online form before April 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Do not submit by email. Applications received by email will not be considered.
Step 6: Wait for Bocconi’s decision. Bocconi will review your application and notify you of the outcome by April 20, 2026 via email. Eligible candidates will have their applications forwarded to relevant supervisors for assessment. Each supervisor will select one candidate per project.
Step 7: Attend proposal writing training. If selected, participate in the online proposal writing training sessions scheduled for the mornings of April 23 and June 10. These sessions are designed to improve the quality of your EU-level application.
Step 8: Apply for a Bocconi campus travel grant (optional but recommended). If available, apply for one of the limited travel grants to visit the Bocconi campus. Use this opportunity to meet your supervisor in person, refine your proposal with Grants Office feedback, and connect with current MSCA fellows.
Step 9: Develop your full EU research proposal. Work with your supervisor and Bocconi’s Grants Office to develop your complete MSCA proposal according to the EU template and evaluation criteria. Begin this process as early as possible.
Step 10: Register on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Create or log into your account at the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Register your organization details if required.
Step 11: Submit your full MSCA application to the EU. Submit your complete proposal through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal before September 9, 2026 at 17:00 CEST. This is the hard deadline for the EU-level application. No extensions are granted.
Step 12: Await EU evaluation results. The EU will evaluate all submitted proposals. Successful applicants will be offered a fellowship contract. Bocconi’s Grants Office will continue to support you through this period.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Bocconi Expression of Interest Opens | March 10, 2026 |
| Bocconi Expression of Interest Deadline | April 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM |
| Bocconi Notification to Applicants | April 20, 2026 |
| Proposal Writing Training Session 1 | April 23, 2026 (online, morning) |
| Proposal Writing Training Session 2 | June 10, 2026 (online, morning) |
| EU Call Opens | April 9, 2026 at 0:00 CEST |
| EU Application Deadline | September 9, 2026 at 17:00 CEST |
| EU Evaluation Results | To be Determined |
| Fellowship Start Date | To be Determined |
Application Deadline
There are two deadlines you must keep in mind:
Bocconi Expression of Interest Deadline: April 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon). This is the internal Bocconi deadline for submitting your expression of interest. Applications submitted after this time will NOT be considered by Bocconi, and you will miss the chance to be supported through the EU application process.
EU MSCA Application Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 17:00 CEST. This is the hard European Commission deadline. All proposals must be submitted through the Funding and Tenders Portal before this time. Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted under any circumstances.
Selection Criteria
Both Bocconi and the European Commission assess candidates at different stages. Here is what matters at each level:
- Academic excellence: A strong publication record, research outputs, and a clearly demonstrated track record of independent and high-quality research are central to both Bocconi’s internal review and the EU evaluation.
- Research proposal quality: The EU evaluates proposals on two main criteria: excellence (the quality of the proposed research, its originality, and methodology) and impact (the potential for career development, knowledge transfer, and contribution to European research). A weak or vague proposal will not succeed regardless of the researcher’s credentials.
- Supervisor fit: Bocconi supervisors review candidates and select one per project. Your proposed research must clearly align with your chosen supervisor’s research interests and expertise.
- Mobility and international experience: The MSCA program values researchers who move across borders and disciplines. Evidence of prior international research experience will strengthen your application.
- Career development plan: The EU evaluates how the fellowship will contribute to your long-term career development. A credible and ambitious plan that shows how you will grow as an independent researcher is critical.
- Interdisciplinary and intersectoral relevance: Applications that bridge disciplines or connect academia with other sectors (industry, policy, civil society) are particularly valued by the MSCA evaluation panels.
- Communication and dissemination plan: Your proposal should explain how you intend to share your research findings with both academic and non-academic audiences.
Important Tips
- Submit your Bocconi expression of interest well before April 15. The Bocconi internal deadline is months before the EU deadline. Missing it means losing all the institutional support Bocconi offers, including training, mentoring, and campus visit grants.
- Contact your target supervisor before applying. Review the list of available supervisors by department and reach out to introduce yourself and your research idea before or just after submitting your expression of interest. A supervisor who knows you is more likely to select your application.
- Start your EU proposal early. The EU proposal is a lengthy and technical document. Even with Bocconi’s support, writing a competitive MSCA proposal takes months. Do not wait until after the Bocconi training sessions to begin drafting.
- Attend both proposal writing training sessions. Bocconi is offering two dedicated online training mornings on April 23 and June 10. These sessions are designed specifically to help you write a stronger EU application. Attendance is highly recommended.
- Apply for the campus travel grant. A short visit to Bocconi before the September EU deadline can transform your proposal. You will get direct feedback from the Grants Office, meet your supervisor face to face, and benefit from insights shared by current MSCA fellows at Bocconi.
- Document your career breaks carefully. If you took time off for illness, family responsibilities, or other personal reasons, make sure to clearly document these breaks in your application. They are not counted toward your 8-year research experience limit, which could significantly benefit your eligibility.
- Tailor your research proposal to Bocconi’s strengths. A generic research proposal will not impress evaluators. Show clearly why Bocconi is the right host for your specific research, what unique resources or expertise you will access there, and how the collaboration will benefit both you and the university.
- Never submit your expression of interest by email. Bocconi’s instructions are explicit: applications received via email will not be considered.
- Read the full EU call documentation. The MSCA call on the Funding and Tenders Portal contains detailed guidance on the proposal format, evaluation criteria, and scoring methodology. Reading it thoroughly is not optional if you want to submit a competitive application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a European citizen to apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship at Bocconi?
No. The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to researchers of any nationality from anywhere in the world. The key requirement is not your citizenship but your recent place of residence and research activity. You must not have lived or worked in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months before September 9, 2026.
I defended my PhD but have not received the official certificate yet. Can I still apply?
Yes. Candidates who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the degree are eligible to apply. You will need to provide evidence of your successful defense when submitting your application.
What is the difference between the Bocconi expression of interest deadline and the EU application deadline?
These are two separate stages. The Bocconi deadline (April 15, 2026) is for expressing your interest in being hosted at Bocconi and receiving their institutional support. The EU deadline (September 9, 2026) is when you submit your full research proposal to the European Commission through the Funding and Tenders Portal. You must complete the Bocconi stage first to benefit from their support for the EU stage.
Can I contact a Bocconi supervisor directly before submitting my expression of interest?
Yes, and it is a good idea to do so. Supervisors play a key role in selecting candidates. Reaching out early to introduce yourself and your research can help you identify the best fit and improve your chances of being selected. You can find the list of available supervisors by department on the Bocconi MSCA page.
What is the MSCA fellowship duration?
The standard duration for European Postdoctoral Fellowships is between 12 and 24 months. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships can last up to 36 months. The exact duration is determined by your proposed research plan and agreement with your supervisor.
What support does Bocconi offer beyond hosting me?
Bocconi provides institutional support from its Grants Office throughout the application process, access to two online proposal writing training sessions (April 23 and June 10), and a limited number of travel grants for a short visit to the campus. During the campus visit, you can meet your supervisor, receive proposal feedback, and connect with current MSCA fellows.
Is there a limit to how many times I can apply for the MSCA fellowship?
The EU program does not typically restrict the number of times you can apply, but confirm the current rules in the 2026 call documentation on the Funding and Tenders Portal.
What happens if I am selected by Bocconi but my EU proposal is not funded?
Bocconi’s selection at the expression of interest stage means they are willing to host and support you through the EU application. However, it does not guarantee EU funding. If the EU evaluation does not result in funding, your fellowship will not proceed. The EU evaluation is competitive and independent of Bocconi’s internal process.
Official Links
Bocconi Expression of Interest Form: https://forms.unibocconi.it/index.php?rif_quest=3551
