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Become a Fellow

BECOME A FELLOW

Eligibility Criteria and Application Requirements

  • Candidates of all nationalities may apply.

  • All research fields covered by the Momentum host Research Groups are eligible from all three domains of science ranging from the History of literature to Neuroscience or Quantum physics;

  • Applicants must be in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the Momentum MSCA call.
    Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be eligible to apply.
    The successful defence must be unconditional (no further requirements/corrections that need to be addressed) and take place before the call deadline. 

  • Supporting documentation will be requested and checked before contracting.

  • A mobility rule will be applied: applying researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Hungary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call’s deadline. *

  • Researchers already employed at one of the Momentum Implementing Partners at the call deadline are not eligible to apply.

  • Only candidates having submitted complete applications (including all requested compulsory information and documentation) in English through the online submission platform by the designated deadline, will be considered for further technical evaluation.


 

*Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol) are not considered.

During your application you will be required to verify this fact, therefore you may be required to provide supporting documentation proving your place(s) of residence or work during the previous 3 years. 

Note that the mobility rule applies only to your first recruitment within the project, and not to other organisations to which you might be sent on secondment or at which you may subsequently also be recruited. 

Finally, the mobility rule is related to your residence or main activity and not to your nationality.

Remuneration and Working Conditions

The following salary and benefits package are offered to selected researchers who have signed and fulfilled the employment contract with Implementing Partners, host Research Groups: 

  • Salary: super gross monthly 3980 €/month, that, after the compulsory employer’s deduction will amount to 3522 € gross monthly

  • Mobility allowance of gross 150€/month 

 

Based on eligibility:

  • Relocation allowance up to gross 3600 €; one-time payment, that will be paid after the first three months of research at the host research group have been completed, along with the salary applicable at that time. For the criteria and document requirements for the Relocation Allowance, please refer to the Programme's Relocation Allowance Guidelines.

  • Family allowance of gross 300 €/month, paid if the researcher has or acquires family obligations during the fellowship, i.e. persons linked to him/her by (i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised; or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher.

  • Special Needs Allowance: The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) pay particular attention to physical accessibility and inclusion of researchers. The MSCA foresee financial support for the additional costs entailed by recruited or seconded researchers/staff members with disabilities whose long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments are such that their participation in MSCA would not be possible without extra financial support. If a postdoctoral researcher wishes to request a Special Needs Allowance, they should contact momentum.msca@office.mta.hu. The Secretariat of MTA, Hungarian Academy of Sciences will submit a formal request to the European Research Executive Agency (REA) on their behalf, who will assess the request. For more information, please refer to Special Needs Allowance details here: Management of the MSCA special needs in H2020 legacy grants and Horizon Europe grants.

  • Depending on the internal rules of the host organisations, they may receive additional benefits such as discount on railways, cafeteria, contribution to leisure activities, etc. 

  • Social security coverage will be guaranteed for the entire duration of the researchers' employment and during secondments.

 

Working conditions:

All Momentum MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme host institutions are committed to enforcing equal opportunities policies and have 

  • established Gender Equality Plans;

  • equal working conditions regarding salaries, opportunities for training, access to grants and funding, research infrastructures;

  • flexi-time, home working will be guaranteed for all fellows across host organizations, with ongoing monitoring throughout the program if it is compatible with the operation of the host research groups and it does not undermine the implementation of the project.

Evaluation and Selection Process

The evaluation and selection process of Momentum MSCA Programme will be in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers  and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers endorsed by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The organization and the composition of the different committees, panels for the selection will ensure an open, transparent and merit-based process, it will be objective, independent, free of conflict of interest: external expert evaluations, online interviews will be carried out taking into consideration gender and other diversity aspects. 

Freedom of choice of research, and transparency will be ensured by communicating all details of the selection procedure to the applicants.

The selection process will include eight stages and then will be followed by negotiations and employment contracting.

Formal verification
All received proposals will go through an eligibility check carried out by the Momentum MSCA Office. Where the application meets the formal requirements specified in the call, the Office will, at the latest, by the 7th day after submission send to the applicant a confirmation of admission of the application for evaluation.
Otherwise, it shall reject the application without evaluating it. Where the application is rejected without evaluation, the information provided must include the reason for the rejection and a reference to the possibility and terms of filing a complaint. 
Eligible proposals will be assigned to three external experts by the Momentum MSCA Office based on their selected discipline(s) and keywords.
 
Individual, External Evaluation
Expert evaluators will assess applications via a web platform, strictly based on the evaluation criteria and the Guide for Evaluators provided to them. Evaluation will be done independently and anonymously, and the evaluators will be blind to each other’s review. They will score each proposal according to the different evaluation criteria and elaborate their Individual Assessment Reports (IAR). In their descriptive assessment, reviewers must declare if they recommend the application for funding or not. In case of significant differences of opinions, an additional external expert will be invited to evaluate the proposal.
 
Evaluation criteria for the submitted proposals: The two main criteria for the selection of the submitted proposals are the quality of the applicant and the quality of the research proposal with several sub-criteria for each. Criteria and sub-criteria are detailed in the table below, each item is graded from 0 to 5, evaluated with the following guideline: 
0 — The proposal fails to address the criterion or cannot be assessed due to missing or incomplete information. 
1 — Poor. The criterion is inadequately addressed, or there are serious inherent weaknesses. 
2 — Fair. The proposal broadly addresses the criterion, but there are significant weaknesses. 
3 — Good. The proposal addresses the criterion well, but a number of shortcomings are present. 
4 — Very Good. The proposal addresses the criterion very well, but a small number of shortcomings are present. 
5 — Excellent. The proposal successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the criterion. Any shortcomings are minor. 
 
Half marks may be given. The maximum score is 25, overall threshold is at 17.
 
Table of Evaluation criteria and sub criteria

Criteria

15%

• Impact of the project on the career development of the researcher: short-, medium- and long- term career perspectives

Potential for career development

3

35%

• Academic records

• Scientific results in the past 5 years (incl. publications, patents, grants, awards, conference participations, etc.)

• Teaching, supervision, knowledge transfer activities (in the past 5 years)

• International mobility experiences, project participations in the past 5 years

• Intersectoral experiences (if relevant)

Track record

Weight

Treshold

Sub criteria

Quality of Applicant

Criteria

10%

• Planned communication and dissemination activities;
• Scientific, societal, economic/ technological impact of the project

Dissemination and Impact

3

30%

• Quality and pertinence of the project’s research and innovation objectives (and the extent to which they are ambitious, and go beyond the state of the art
• Clarity of the research methodology
• Quality, originality, innovative aspects and interdisciplinarity (if relevant) of the research projects

Excellence

Weight

Treshold

Sub criteria

Quality of the Research Proposal

Implementation

• Planned communication and dissemination activities;
• Scientific, societal, economic/ technological impact of the project

10%

Evaluation Panel meetings and ranking lists. 

Each eligible proposal will be referred to an Evaluation Panel according to their scientific content. The panels are: Panel 1. Humanities and Social Sciences; Panel 2. Life Sciences; Panel 3. Mathematics and Natural Sciences The three panels will work independently. Panel chairs will designate a rapporteur with expertise relevant to each proposal. The appointed rapporteurs will be briefed and provided with all Individual Assessment Reports (IARs) corresponding to the proposals. Their responsibility is to summarize the opinions of external experts, present them at the Evaluation Panel meeting and to write the consensus reports. Each Evaluation Panel will discuss the proposals, decide based on consensus and draw up their ranking lists.

 

Momentum MSCA Jury meeting and shortlist for the interview

Momentum MSCA Jury will be convened to finalise the shortlist for the interviews, it will also provide a forum to discuss interdisciplinary proposals, for which the expertise of 2 or more Evaluation Panels is required to decide. If needed, further experts can be invited to this meeting based on the invitation of the President of the Momentum Jury. 

The Jury meetings are also attended by Momentum PPDF Office staff as observers. One of their responsibility will be monitoring the equal opportunities’ policy perspectives, promptly addressing and managing all issues that may arise. The Jury meeting will establish the shortlist for the interviews comprising 25-30 candidates. Proposals with ethical issues will be sent to the Ethics Committee for review.

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Ethics Committee

Only those proposals can be funded where the ethics issues have been carefully considered. If the shortlisted applicant declares the proposal to have ethical aspects (by submitting the Ethics self-assessment), or if it is found out during the selection process that the shortlisted proposal needs to go through an ethics review, the Committee will carry out the ethics review and contact the candidate for more information if necessary before the interview. 

Depending on the research topic, in some cases immediate ethics requirements are needed whereas some of them can be implemented during the fellowship. Projects selected with ethics issues will be monitored during implementation by the Ethics Committee.

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Interviews, final list of top-ranked applicants 

All 25-30 top-ranked candidates for each call will be invited to online interviews to provide equal opportunities. Detailed guidelines regarding the interview will be sent to the candidates. 

The Interview Committee will interview the shortlisted applicants. Each interview will last up to 45 minutes: 15 minutes will be allocated to the applicant’s presentation, 15 minutes for project-related questions and 15 minutes to questions on the applicant’s motivations, future plans, etc. After the interviews, the final list of selected applicants will be drawn up by the committee. The Interview Committee will take particular care of the gender balance and diversity, in case of ex-aequo, these aspects will be considered. All the other applicants invited for interview will be placed on the reserve list.

During the interview, the project presentation, the applicants’ motivations and also their soft skills will be assessed.

Evaluation criteria - sub-criteria, weight of score of the interview:

  • Project presentation - Clarity of the presentation, objectives, methodology, 45%

  • Expected career impact - Motivation, career development plan,  45%

  • Soft Skills - Communication, presentation skills, etc., 10%

The maximum score is 15 points. There is no threshold.

The final score will be based on both the submitted proposal and the interview score, with 50%-50% weight.

 

Momentum MSCA Committee – formal decision, notification of candidates

Based on the proposal of the Momentum Jury and Interview Committee, the Momentum MSCA Committee makes the final, formal decision about the selection of the fellows. 

Applicants shall be notified of the call results by the Momentum MSCA Office via email within 14 days after the decision has been made. 

A list of the winning proposals will also be made public on the project website and job offers will be sent to the selected fellows.
All applicants will be provided access to the anonymous, detailed individual assessment reports of their respective applications as well as the final opinion of the Evaluation Panels/Momentum MSCA Jury on the submission portal.

 

Redress Committee - Should applicants believe that a procedural element of the call or of the decision making concerning the awarding of the grant, or of the issue of the grant award document has violated in any way a legislative provision or has been contrary to what was described in the call for applications, they can ask for a redress procedure. No redress can be submitted concerning the scientific evaluation of the applications. 

The redress may be submitted only once within 15 days following the receipt of the notification about the decision via e‑mail to the Momentum MSCA Office (momentum.msca@office.mta.hu). The Redress Committee will be convened to examine the cases. The Redress Committee's role is to ensure a coherent legal interpretation of such requests, and equal treatment of applicants. Its conclusions 

are its sole responsibility and will be transmitted to the Momentum MSCA Committee who will be responsible for the appeal and making decisions.


Negotiations and concluding the employment contract between the fellows and the Momentum host organisations, start of the fellowship: The selected fellows will be contacted by their chosen Momentum host institutions and will receive a job offer including an employment contract with details of the fellowship and appointment conditions. As soon as both parties agree, the contract is signed and the fellowship can be started. In case a fellow decides not to take the offer, the first researcher on the reserve list will be invited.

Moving to Hungary: Support & Resources

Momentum MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all its fellows. We offer comprehensive support and resources to assist you in settling into Hungary and focusing on your research endeavours.

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Pre-Arrival Support
Once selected, you will receive a detailed Welcome Package from the Momentum MSCA Office. This package includes essential information about living and working in Hungary, covering topics such as cultural insights, language basics, and local amenities.

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Visa and Immigration Assistance
Our team will guide you through the visa application process, aiding with the necessary documentation and procedures to obtain your visa and residency permit. We aim to make this process as straightforward as possible, ensuring you meet all legal requirements for your stay in Hungary.

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Employment and Administrative Support
The administrative staff of our Implementing Partners will assist you in concluding your employment contract and navigating local administrative procedures. This includes support with social security registration, understanding taxation policies, and other essential administrative matters to ensure your employment is compliant with Hungarian regulations.

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Housing and Accommodation
We provide guidance on finding suitable housing options in Hungary, tailored to your preferences and budget. Our support includes information on reputable real estate agents, and insights into various neighbourhoods to help you make an informed decision.


Continuous Support
Throughout your fellowship, the Momentum MSCA Office remains at your service to address any challenges or questions you may encounter. 

By providing these resources and support services, our goal is to ensure you have a fulfilling and productive experience in Hungary, with the necessary support so you can focus on your research and professional development.
 

Training and Networking

Your Growth. Your Momentum.

One of the Programme's key objectives is to enhance the versatility of postdoctoral researchers through targeted training, international and interdisciplinary experiences, and networking events to boost their employability in academia and beyond.

On-the-Job

A key component is on-the-job growth, where supervisors will support postdocs by regularly updating their individual Career Development Plan (CDP). Fellows will collaboratively create their CDP with their primary supervisors at the Momentum MSCA host organization, and, if relevant, with co-supervisors and coaches from academic or non-academic Associated Partners. The CDP will outline research objectives, discipline-specific training, and local and network-wide training sessions focused on transferable skills tailored to the fellows' needs.

​

The Programme also offers secondment opportunities to enhance scientific knowledge, foster interdisciplinary thinking, and build entrepreneurial skills. A mandatory secondment (1-3 months) at Associated Partners allows fellows to broaden their expertise and expand international networks. Additionally, fellows have the option to pursue further secondments with Implementing Partners or Associated academic or non-academic partners, focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration, industry insights, and innovation management.

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Tailored mentoring and coaching services will be provided to fellows based on their individual needs. These services will be offered by the 'Lendület' Momentum host organizations in collaboration with the Secretariat of MTA. The need for such services will be determined through consultations between fellows and their supervisors

 

Training, Workshops

Specialized training sessions will be offered to postdocs to enhance research-specific, transferable, and entrepreneurial skills. These sessions will be available both locally at the “Lendület”, Momentum host organizations and their collaborators, as well as at the network level.

Fellows must attend at least three network-wide training sessions. Given the importance of Open Science, Responsible Research and Innovation, and Ethics, all fellows are required to complete mandatory training in these areas.

Interdisciplinarity will be encouraged through three challenge-oriented workshops held at the network level during the project. Each workshop will address a specific challenge, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Hungary's Smart Specialization Strategy. These workshops will focus on cross-fertilizing interdisciplinary approaches, particularly in areas such as AI, network science, and data science. The workshops will include practical activities like group projects and problem-solving scenarios, challenging participants to apply interdisciplinary thinking to real-world problems.

 

Networking

Network events will be organized by the central Momentum MSCA Office, in collaboration with internal experts from the Academy, and Programme Partners. 

We invite fellows to join the MCAA, a global network of MSCA alumni. The MCAA is an international, non-profit organization supported by the European Commission, run by volunteers, and centred on a bottom-up approach.

As an alumni community beyond research, MCAA members share a strong research background from their MSCA funding, their careers often evolve in diverse directions. The MCAA celebrates this diversity, offering lifelong career development, networking, and advocacy support, extending the benefits of MSCA throughout their careers and impacting society as a whole.

Dissemination and Exploitation Activities

Momentum MSCA Programme postdoctoral researchers are required to communicate, disseminate, and maximize the impact of their research while exploring commercialization where applicable. The programme emphasizes engaging the public by making scientific achievements accessible to non-specialists, fostering a broader appreciation of research advancements.

 

Communication and Dissemination Strategy

Scientific findings will be required to be shared through high-impact journals, conferences, and academic events. Each fellow, alongside their supervisors, will develop a Career Development Plan, outlining expected publications and identifying relevant conferences. Active participation, involving poster sessions and presentations on research findings, at a minimum of two pertinent international conferences during the fellowship is obligatory for all supported researchers. In addition to international fora, scientific workshops, symposia, or conferences organized locally by the fellows’ hosts or other implementing or associated partners will also provide valuable platforms for sharing research outcomes.

 

Fellows are encouraged to engage with the Academy of Young Researchers to support networking and career growth. Research findings must be published in open-access journals or repositories, and the Momentum MSCA website will feature a section highlighting fellows' projects and results with direct links to publications and data repositories.

 

Public Engagement and Outreach

Efforts to engage non-scientific audiences aim to inspire future researchers, share findings with stakeholders, and enhance public understanding of scientific advancements. Fellows are encouraged to participate in major national science events, such as the Festival of Hungarian Science and Researchers’ Night, serving as role models for the next generation of scientists.

 

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Momentum MSCA Office will oversee and document all dissemination and exploitation activities through regular reports from fellows and host institutions.

 

Promoting Open Science 

Horizon Europe promotes open science, ensuring broad and immediate access to research outputs. Its policy applies from proposal submission through project implementation and reporting, as outlined in Articles 2.5, 14, and 39 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 (Horizon Europe Regulation).

 

Mandatory Open Science Practices

  • Open Access to Scientific Publications

Horizon Europe mandates immediate open access (OA) to all peer-reviewed scientific publications. Researchers must deposit their work in a trusted repository, regardless of whether it is published in an open-access journal. Publications must be licensed under the latest version of the Creative Commons Attribution International Public License (CC BY) or an equivalent license to ensure unrestricted use.

Additionally, metadata must be openly available under a CC0 license, aligning with FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) and providing clear licensing terms.

 

  • Research Data Management (RDM)

Open access to research data is the default requirement, following the principle of “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.” All digital research data must be managed according to FAIR principles, ensuring findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability. Fellows must develop and regularly update a Data Management Plan (DMP) for any generated, reused, or processed data.

 

The Open Research Europe platform offers a fee-free open-access publishing venue for European Commission-funded researchers across all disciplines.

 

Open Science in the Momentum MSCA Programme

Momentum MSCA fellows are to comply with above mandatory open science practices, that includes to share their research early and openly, including:

  • Uploading preprints for early dissemination.

  • Depositing research outputs in trusted open-access repositories.

  • Publishing in peer-reviewed open-access journals or platforms whenever feasible.

 

Open Science Support at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

The Library and Information Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences supports open science through:

  • Hungary’s largest Open Access Repository.

  • A DOI office and an Open Journal Systems publication platform.

  • MTMT, the national Current Research Information System (CRIS).

 

The Academy is committed to FAIR data management principles, ensuring that research data generated within the Momentum MSCA Programme adheres to European Commission FAIR data guidelines.

 

By implementing these open science practices, the Momentum MSCA Programme fosters a transparent, accessible, and impactful research environment that benefits both the scientific community and society at large.

 

Useful links:

Open Research Europe – the EC peer-reviewed, open access publishing platform for scientific articles stemming from their Horizon Europe funding across all subject areas 

European Commission Open Science FAQ

DMP online tool - developed by Digital Curation Centre 

Re3Data - global registry of research data repositories from different academic disciplines 

Zenodo  - general-purpose open repository developed under the European OpenAIRE program FairSharing: resource on data, metadata standards, inter-related to databases, data policies 

Data Management - ELIXIR, CESSDA and DARIAH, respectively along with relevant data resources and repositories/databases

Application

The Application section of our website is currently being prepared and will be updated with detailed information and user-friendly guides closer to the opening date of the call for applications. You will find everything you need to successfully apply, including:

  • A step-by-step Application Process overview, including required documents and templates.

  • A comprehensive User Guide to assist you with the process.

  • A direct link to the Electronic Submission Portal.

 

Mark your calendars! 

Call 1 of the Momentum MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme opens on April 2nd 2025.

Be sure to check back here for updates and resources to help you prepare your application.

Sign Up & Stay Informed: Momentum MSCA Fellowship for Aspiring Candidates 

  • International mobility
    Broaden your horizons with opportunities for fellowship and secondment(s) at leading Hungarian and international research centres, academic and industrial partners.
  • Safe and accessible
    Hungary is known for its welcoming environment, offers accessible healthcare, an emphasis on public safety, and a cost of living that is often considered affordable. It offers a favourable destination for researchers and their families seeking a comfortable and enriching experience.
  • Personal and professional development
    Invest in your personal and professional growth with a development package tailored to your unique needs. This includes expert supervision, coaching, and access to a range of opportunities, such as specialized training, interdisciplinary workshops, and networking events. These experiences will enhance your versatility and prepare you for a successful career in academia or other fields.
  • Diverse research areas
    From Engineering & Technology, Humanities, and Medical Sciences to Natural and Social Sciences, Momentum MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme supports a broad spectrum of disciplines within “Lendület” Momentum Research Groups.
  • Will fellows be required to present their work at conferences or workshops?
    All fellows are required to actively participate in at least two relevant international conferences during the fellowship, which includes presenting their research findings through poster sessions or oral presentations. More details are available under Become a Fellow, Dissemination and Exploitation Activities section of our website.
  • How long is the fellowship program?
    The fellowships have a duration of 12 to 36 months, with a preference for fellowship periods of 2 to 3 years to maximize the availability and use of positions. As a Premium Fellowship Programme, the longer grant period offers opportunity to conduct high-quality research and achieve substantial professional development.
  • Are there specific institutions or partners involved in these programs?
    For a detailed list of specific institutions and partners involved in the Programme, please refer to the Partner section on our website.
  • Are there mentorship or networking opportunities for fellows during their stay?
    During the Programme fellows receive comprehensive support, including expert supervision, mentoring, coaching, and access to specialized training, interdisciplinary workshops, and networking events.
  • Are fellows allowed to collaborate with external organizations or institutions during the fellowship?
    Fellows are expected to dedicate their time primarily to their research projects in Momentum MSCA Programme. They may have part-time involvement in other projects for personal or professional reasons, such as starting a company, pursuing additional research projects, or engaging in advanced studies unrelated to the Momentum MSCA Programme, provided these activities do not interfere with their training. Overall, fellows must maintain a minimum commitment of 50% to their research project. The programme includes a mandatory secondment of 1 to 3 months at associated partner organizations, fostering collaboration and enhancing the fellows' research experience.
  • Will fellows have access to alumni networks or other professional communities during or after completing the fellowship?
    One notable example is the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), where we encourage all participants to become members. The MCAA serves as a vibrant network for MSCA alumni, providing opportunities for collaboration, career development, and engagement in shaping science policy across Europe.
  • What is the specific research or project expectations for fellows during the program?
    Fellows are encouraged to contact and discuss specific research objectives with the Principal Investigator (PI) of the research group they are interested in joining.
  • What types of research areas are supported by the fellowships?
    The Fellowship Programme encompasses a wide range of research areas, covering all fields represented by the participating Momentum research groups. This diversity fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation among fellows, enhancing their research experience and professional development.
  • Can I maintain my existing research grants or apply for new grants while participating in the Programme?
    Please note that joining the Programme requires a full-time employment contract and a commitment to relocate and change your place of residence to Hungary. Any conflicting or jeopardizing agreements must be flagged at the time of application. Researchers may pursue supplementary activities, provided no conflict of interest exists. These activities can include personal or family commitments, starting a company, pursuing another research project, or engaging in advanced studies unrelated to the Momentum MSCA Programme. However, it is essential that these activities do not jeopardize the training activities funded under the Programme. Researchers must maintain a minimum commitment of 50% to their primary project.
  • Can I apply for the fellowship if I have already completed a postdoctoral program elsewhere?
    Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can apply during each call for the Programme.
  • Are there any language requirements for applying to the fellowship?
    The application must be submitted in English. Colleagues in your host research group will be able to communicate effectively in English. Although Hungarian is the most widely spoken language in the host country, English is commonly used in academic and professional environments. A good command of English is required to succeed in the application and selection process, as well as to ensure effective communication within the research group.
  • Can I apply if I am currently participating in another MSCA postdoctoral fellowship?
    Overlapping grants under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are not permitted. Participation in the Programme is allowed only if any other MSCA postdoctoral fellowship concludes prior to joining the host research group. Otherwise, researchers will be required to choose between the grants, as only one MSCA-funded project can be pursued at a time.
  • How many times can I apply for the Programme?
    Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can apply during each call for the Programme.
  • What are the steps involved in the application process?
    To apply, select the research group you are interested in, contact the designated supervisor, and follow the instructions provided in the application guide.
  • Is there an application deadline for each call?
    For information regarding application deadlines for each call, please refer to the 'Key Dates' and 'Application' section on our webpage.
  • What is the monthly stipend or salary offered as part of the fellowship?
    The fellowship offers a super gross salary of €3,980, which amounts to a gross monthly salary of €3,522. For more information, please refer to the 'Remuneration and Working Conditions' section on our website.
  • Is financial assistance available for attending conferences, workshops, or other professional development opportunities?
    Professional development is a key element of the programme. Fellows will receive both financial support and professional guidance to participate in conferences, workshops, and other opportunities that enhance their academic and career growth.
  • How are taxes handled for international fellows, and is there assistance available for tax matters?
    Hungarian tax regulations apply to all fellows. The host institution provides support with tax registration and the annual taxation process if needed.
  • Are there additional financial incentives, such as travel allowances or research funding?
    The fellowship includes several additional financial incentives: Mobility allowance of €150 gross per month for all postdoctoral fellows, Based on eligibility: One-time relocation allowance of up to €3,600 gross Family allowance of €300 gross per month, and Special needs allowance determined on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please refer to the 'Remuneration and Working Conditions' section on our website.
  • Are there any cultural integration programs or language courses provided for international fellows?
    For additional details regarding culture and language courses, please check the Euraxess website: Access to the culture of the host country/language courses | EURAXESS
  • Will I have access to work-life balance support and flexible working conditions?
    Fellows will be assured access to flexible working hours and the option to work remotely based on the host institution’s internal regulations. Through continuous monitoring, we ensure that they remain aligned with the operational requirements of the host research groups and do not hinder the successful execution of the project.
  • Is there assistance for finding accommodation in Hungary?
    Please examine the most frequently utilized online resources for real estate and rental platforms here: Accommodation in Hungary | EURAXESS and selected fellows will have access to more information in our Welcome Package.
  • Will the fellowship cover relocation expenses to Hungary?
    According to the Relocation Allowance Guideline, fellows are eligible for a one-time payment of up to €3,600. This amount will be disbursed after the first three months of the fellowship have been completed, along with the salary applicable at that time. Please read Relocation Allowance Guideline under the Remuneration and Working Conditions section.
  • Is healthcare coverage provided during the fellowship in Hungary?
    Employment enables individuals to register with the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK), thereby obtaining a healthcare card. This card provides access to public medical services. Furthermore, individuals retain the option to pursue private medical care at their own expense.
  • What is the process for obtaining a visa or residence permit for Hungary?
    Detailed information on entry conditions to Hungary can be found on the website of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing. Additionally, the Secretariat of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA Secretariat) will provide assistance to all candidates who successfully pass the evaluation and selection process.
  • What level of proficiency in Hungarian (if any) is expected, and are language courses provided?
    There is no requirement for applicants to speak Hungarian. However, those interested in learning the language can explore available courses through Euraxess Language Courses page.
  • What are the procedures for monitoring progress and evaluating fellows’ performance during the program?
    Scientific findings must be shared through high-impact journals, conferences, and academic events. See the Dissemination and Exploitation Activities section on our webpage for details. Momentum ("Lendület") research groups regularly present their progress, scientific advancements, research findings, and publications both in written reports and through formal evaluations before a committee. This ensures accountability, tracks research impact, and supports the dissemination of knowledge within the academic community. Fellows will collaborate with their primary supervisors—and, if applicable, co-supervisors and coaches—to develop a Career Development Plan (CDP). This plan will outline research objectives, discipline-specific training, and local and network-wide sessions focused on transferable skills. It will also include a selection of international conferences and stakeholder events. Fellows must identify relevant events from this list and actively participate in at least two to present and promote their research.
  • Does the host institution offer office space, administrative support, or IT services?
    Becoming a member of a Momentum Research Group hosted by one of the implementing partners will have access to necessary infrastructure and support systems to facilitate their work. At the host level, researchers will be supported by the administrative staff of the organisations: local departments will be involved to provide support in employment issues (concluding the employment contract), taxation, social security, financial management and administration or IPR management etc.
  • Are secondment opportunities available, and how are they arranged?
    Fellows will have the unrestricted flexibility to exercise their choice in selecting secondment opportunities available at Associated Partners of the Programme. The academic and non-academic host institutions for secondments will be discussed and aligned between the fellow and supervisor, and will be included and recorded in the Career Development Plan (CDP), based on the fellow's needs.
  • Can fellows initiate secondments with institutions outside Hungary or within their home country?
    Secondment and interdisciplinary training opportunities will be offered by a wide and evolving range of Implementing and Associated partners in Hungary and abroad. Please note that becoming an Associated Partner requires a formal Partnership Agreement to be signed prior to accepting fellows for secondments.
  • Are there specific partner institutions or organizations already affiliated with the program?
    For information regarding secondment partners, please refer to Implementing Partners and ‘Associated Partners section on our website.
  • What financial or logistical support is available for secondment-related travel or accommodations?
    The host institution receives funding to cover all costs associated with secondments.
  • How are supervisors assigned?
    Fellows are typically supervised by the principal investigators of the research groups they join.
  • Are there mechanisms to resolve conflicts or issues that arise with supervisors?
    Each host institute has a defined escalation process for conflict resolution, typically involving leadership or HR to address and resolve issues effectively.
  • What are the expectations for supervision meetings?
    Selected fellows will collaborate with their primary supervisors at the Momentum host institution to jointly prepare a Career Development Plan (CDP). If applicable, co-supervisors and coaches, mentors from academic or non-academic partners may also provide input. Based on the CPD, supervision typically involves weekly or bi-weekly meetings to ensure consistent guidance and support.

Documents and Downloads

Call for applications

Gender Equality Plan

Welcome Package

EC Information Package for MSCA Fellows (June 2024)

Logos:

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