Regarding the Applicant:
* Mobility Rule: This is the MOST crucial aspect. You must have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) outside the country of your host institution for at least 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline. This rule aims to promote international collaboration and researcher mobility. There are some exceptions for researchers returning to their home country after a long stay abroad, but these exceptions are strictly defined and must be meticulously met.
* Doctoral Degree: You must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) before the call deadline.
* Experience: While there isn't a strict minimum number of years of postdoctoral experience required, highly competitive applications usually demonstrate significant research experience beyond the doctoral degree.
* Work Plan: Your research proposal must be ambitious, innovative, and clearly demonstrate its feasibility within the fellowship timeframe (usually 12-24 months).
* Host Institution: Your proposed host institution must be located in one of the eligible countries participating in Horizon Europe (the EU's research and innovation framework programme). This excludes many countries, so carefully check the eligible countries list for the specific call.
* Legal Residency: You must be legally entitled to work in the country of your host institution.
Regarding the Research Proposal:
* Quality and Innovation: The research proposal must be of high scientific quality, innovative, and address a significant research question.
* Impact: It should demonstrate the potential impact of the research both scientifically and potentially societally.
* Feasibility: The proposed work plan needs to be realistic and achievable within the fellowship timeframe.
* Training: The proposal should include a clear plan for personal and professional development during the fellowship.
* Supervision: A clear mentoring and supervision plan from the host institution is essential.
Important Considerations:
* Call-Specific Requirements: The specific requirements can vary slightly between calls, so *always carefully review the eligibility criteria for the specific call you intend to apply to*. This information is available on the official MSCA website.
* Previous MSCA Funding: There are rules regarding previous participation in MSCA programmes, so you must check these carefully.
* Exceptions: While there are exceptions to some rules (e.g., the mobility rule), these exceptions are very specific and require careful justification.
In summary, eligibility boils down to mobility, a doctoral degree, a high-quality research proposal, and compliance with all rules and regulations specific to the particular call for proposals. Thoroughly reading the official guidelines for the relevant call is absolutely essential before starting an application.