Postdoctoral funding opportunities
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
Calls for Expressions of Interest. Deadline 18th May 2026
European Fellowships
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) School of Economics and Finance, in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, welcomes Expressions of Interest from top talented, eligible postdoctoral researchers who demonstrate independence and excellent track record to apply with a QMUL host PI supervisor to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (2026) call.
What does the Fellowship entail?
European Fellowships comprise a personalised, well-structured and feasible research and integrated training project with optional secondment for a 12- 24 month fellowship. It must show a ‘best fit’ between your and PI supervisor’s expertise, two-way knowledge transfer, research outcomes and wider impacts and to enhance employability.
It offers a highly competitive salary and research/training/networking budget based on EC set allowances.
Researcher eligibility
- Any age and nationality – your main activity (work/studies) must not have been in the UK for more than 12 months in the last 36 months prior to the EC MSCA PF call deadline of 09/09/2026 (TBC)
- Have a PhD at the date of the EC call deadline
- Have a maximum of eight years full-time research experience from the date of PhD. Years outside research and documented leave periods will not be taken into account.
Research Areas
The School welcomes Expressions of Interest (EOI) from all areas of expertise, however, your project will need to align with the research area of your chosen PI supervisor.
About SEF and QMUL
SEF is one of the leading UK Economics and Finance departments, with more than 50 research active Research staff and a vibrant community of PhD students involved in world-class research in applied microeconomics, macroeconomics, microeconomic theory, econometrics, empirical and theoretical finance. Located in London’s thriving East End, at Mile End campus and the doorsteps of the City, the School is hosted in state-of-the-art facilities in the New Graduate Centre.
The UK’s most inclusive Russell Group University according to The Times, Queen Mary is a multi-faculty university with over 28,000 students, 4,400 members of staff and 5 campuses around London. QMUL has a strong history of success with the MSCA Fellowship scheme, with nearly 70 Horizon 2020 individual fellowships awarded to date and ranked 9th in the UK and 18th in Europe for H2020 fellowships and had 15 successfully evaluated Horizon Europe fellowships.
How to Apply
Your EOI must be submitted to your Research Manager, Sarah Smith, via econ-research@qmul.ac.uk by deadline of 18th May 2026
Your EOI must include:
1) CV, including a full list of publications and justification of contribution to research achievements (max. two pages)
2) Two page outline of your research proposal and career goals (how your research is original and innovative and feasible and potential outputs and impact and how it will advance your career). And how you will transfer your know-how to the research profile of the school.
3) A statement confirming how you meet the MSCA-2026-PF eligibility criteria
EOI Results will likely be announced in mid-late June. Selected candidates will then prepare the EC proposal with matched PI supervisor using EC guidance and templates supported by QMUL IRI EU pre award who provide additional guidance materials and application technical support.
QMUL was awarded nearly 70 Horizon 2020 individual fellowships and ranked 9th in the UK and 18th in Europe for H2020 fellowships and hosts over 40 successfully evaluated Horizon Europe post doc fellowships.
EC Funding Deadline
The EC MSCA-PF (2026) deadline date is 9 September 2026
From 1 January 2024, the UK is an Associated Country in Horizon Europe and eligible for EC funding. See also the EC Funding portal and MSCA info pages
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
This call is now closed
Expressions of interest from post-doctoral researchers considering making an application for the 2025/26 British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship competition are due by 13th August 2025.
If interested in applying for this scheme with Queen Mary School of Economics and Finance next year please be aware that requirements may change.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships
This call is now closed
The MSCA is a prestigious EU funded Fellowship which support mobility, career development and training in Europe and beyond. The fellowships offer up to 2 years competitive researcher salary and research/training funds.
Expressions of interest in the School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) are due by 23rd May 2025.
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship 2025
This call is now closed