Co-funding for MSCA COFUND doctoral programmes

The Knowledge Foundation offers Swedish universities the opportunity to apply for co-funding of doctoral programmes within MSCA COFUND. The initiative aims to strengthen Sweden’s participation in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

Background and objectives

COFUND is an action within Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EU’s leading funding programme for doctoral training and researcher mobility. Through COFUND, regional, national, and international programmes for doctoral training and career development are co-funded.

Since funding from MSCA COFUND only covers part of the project costs, co-funding from the applicant organisation is required. To encourage broader Swedish participation, the Knowledge Foundation offers in this call the opportunity to apply for funding to cover part of the necessary co-financing.

Co-financing can only be applied for doctoral programmes within MSCA COFUND 2026. An additional call for co-financing of applications to MSCA COFUND 2027 is planned for 2026.

Terms and conditions

The application to the Knowledge Foundation must concern co-funding of an MSCA COFUND doctoral programme conducted in collaboration with the business sector. To be eligible for co-funding, the university must subsequently submit an application under MSCA COFUND 2026, and that application must be approved.

The project, i.e., the doctoral programme, must be planned and implemented in accordance with the call requirements for MSCA COFUND. The call for MSCA COFUND 2026 is expected to be published by the EU at the turn of November/December 2025 and will be available via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Applicants: Universities within the Knowledge Foundation’s target group. The programme can be carried out in collaboration between research and education environments at several universities. Read more about the universities we support.

Business sector co-funding requirements: No requirement.

Funding amount: Maximum 50 percent of the total co-funding in the MSCA COFUND application. The co-funding may also amount to a maximum of SEK 1 million per doctoral degree.

Project duration: Maximum 5 years.

Assessment process

The Knowledge Foundation relies on the assessment carried out by the Research Executive Agency within MSCA COFUND, as well as their decision to approve or reject the application. However, the Knowledge Foundation will conduct its own preliminary review of the project proposal to ensure it complies with our statutes and meets our formal requirements.

If the application is approved, the Knowledge Foundation will issue a letter of intent that includes the Foundation’s co-funding in the event of a granted project. In such cases, an agreement will be established between the Knowledge Foundation and the relevant higher education institution regarding the co-funding.

Contribution to strong research and educational environments

Co-funding of doctoral programmes within MSCA COFUND supports the development of research and education environments by providing a significant addition of doctoral candidates. The desiggn of MSCA COFUND requires international recruitment of doctoral candidates, thereby contributing to increased internationalisation of the environment. The call also promotes the expansion and strengthening of collaboration between research and education environments and industry.