The Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) is pleased to announce the MSCA MaRaThoN@University of Padua - Master your Research and Training Needs.

MSCA MaRaThoN is a 3-day training course addressed to top candidates/researchers who are getting ready to apply for the upcoming Horizon Europe , Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) 2026 call and indicate the University of Padua as their Host Institution. Classes will be interactive, focusing on how to write a successful proposal.

The European Commission promotes the MSCA-PF under the Horizon Europe (HEU) Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Such action is a recognised career booster for experienced researchers, who develop innovative ideas through an intense collaboration with their Supervisor at the Host Institution, benefit from periods of mobility and enjoy very fair and favourable working conditions.

Date:    20 - 22 May 2026.

Eligibility

Please note that the course is entirely held in English. The course is open to 50 participants.

Two places are reserved for candidates of African nationality. There are no age or nationality restrictions. In order to be admitted to the MSCA MaRaThoN, candidates must meet the following requirements: -

• Must hold a PhD by the MSCA-PF closing date of 9 September 2026.
• Have up to maximum 8 years of research experience measured from the date of award of the doctoral degree (exceptions according to MSCA-PF rules) .
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule1 .
• Commit to compete in the forthcoming MSCA-PF 2026 Call for applications, choosing the University of Padua as Host Institution for their project.

Fellowship details:

Selected participants will have their travel and accommodation costs covered by the University of Padua.

Types of Fellowships

Two types of Postdoctoral Fellowships are available, applicants may choose only one:

• European Fellowships are spent in European or Associated Countries and are open to researchers of any nationality either coming to Europe or moving within Europe for a period of one to two years.
• Global Fellowships are open to European nationals or long-term residents who wish to engage in research projects, which provide an outgoing phase of one to two years in a non-associated Third Country, and a mandatory 12-month return phase to a host organisation based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.

 Application process

Candidates interested in participating in the MSCA MaRaThoN must fill in the dedicated Google Form (and upload the following documents:

• CV
• 1 Proposal Summary
• Letter of acceptance duly signed by a Supervisor and their Head of Department at the University of Padua
• Researcher’s Declaration of Commitment
• A copy of valid ID or passport.

 Templates are available for download on the MaRaThoN web page: https://www.unipd.it/en/msca-marathon26

 Application deadline: 9 March 2026 at 1:00 p.m. (Italian time zone)

 All relevant information on the course is available at https://www.unipd.it/en/msca-marathon26.