What Actually Works for Success in MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026

Why Most Proposals Fail — and It Is Not the Science

Free Live Webinar · Friday, 23 October 2026

Funded and unfunded MSCA Doctoral Network proposals often differ least on the science and most on how the doctoral training is designed, how the consortium is structured, and who supervises the researchers.

With just four weeks before the 24 November deadline, this practical 60-minute session shows you what evaluators actually look for in training programmes, consortia, recruitment and implementation — and what you can still fix in the final month.

Stay for up to 30 additional minutes of open Q&A.

The session also covers the new 2026 RAISE Doctoral Networks pilot for AI in science and what it means when choosing the right DN line.

Webinar Details

Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
Time: 11:00–12:00 Brussels time (12:00–13:00 Athens)
Open Q&A: Until 12:30 Brussels time
Format: Live Zoom
Price: Free

Reserve My Free Seat

Why Attend

The science is rarely the only thing that determines whether a Doctoral Network proposal succeeds.

This webinar focuses on the structural elements that evaluators scrutinise — particularly during the final weeks before submission.

You will learn:

• What a strong doctoral training programme looks like, including network-wide training, purposeful secondments and meaningful non-academic participation
• How to show one candidate's journey from recruitment through training and secondments to defence
• The consortium and supervision traps that can cost points quickly
• How to demonstrate genuine academic/non-academic integration
• How degree-awarding entities, recruiting beneficiaries and supervision arrangements need to align
• What changes for Industrial Doctorates, including the 50% non-academic time requirement
• How to make recruitment open, transparent and merit-based, with credible numbers
• How to build impact with meaningful KPIs for candidates, the network and the wider sector
• The difference between dissemination and communication
• What to check during the final four weeks before the 24 November deadline
• The new RAISE Doctoral Networks pilot for AI in science and how it affects your choice of DN line

What You Will Walk Away With

01 — One Candidate's Three-Year Path on One Page

The exercise every evaluator performs mentally — mapped out so you can test whether your training, supervision and secondment structure is clear and convincing.

02 — Your Consortium Checked Against the Sub-Criteria

A practical checklist covering:

• Academic/non-academic balance
• Degree-awarding entities
• Recruitment responsibilities
• Supervision arrangements
• Secondments
• Industrial Doctorate requirements

03 — An Implementation Table Scored Live

See one work package with secondments and training events assessed against the relevant sub-criteria, followed by the evaluator's actual perspective.

04 — The Four-Week Countdown Checklist

A practical final-month checklist covering:

• Part A consistency
• Ethics
• Proposal compliance
• Final quality checks
• Submission preparation
• The 17:00 Brussels submission risk on 24 November

Who Runs It

Dr. Nikolaos Floratos

EU funding consultant since 1997 and European Commission expert evaluator since 2003, with experience across FP4, FP5, FP6, FP7, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe and EIC programmes.

• 50,000+ researchers and innovation actors trained
• Experience across 45+ countries
• Creator of the OpenCosmos platform
• Trainer of ERC, MSCA, Erasmus+ and AI grant-writing courses at the Funding Expert Academy

Who Should Attend

This webinar is designed for:

• Coordinators preparing an MSCA Doctoral Network, Industrial Doctorate or Joint Doctorate
• Work-package leaders and beneficiaries supporting a DN application
• Doctoral school directors
• University research offices
• Research-management staff
• Non-academic partners participating in DN consortia

It is particularly relevant for organisations preparing for the 24 November 2026 deadline.

Included with Your Free Registration

Your free registration includes:

• Live access to the webinar
• Presentation slides
• Consortium checklist
• Four-week countdown checklist
• An introduction to OpenCosmos, the capacity-building platform for Horizon Europe applicants

After the Webinar: Free 30-Minute Call

Coordinators who want additional support can book a free 30-minute call with Nikolaos at the end of the webinar.

The call can be used to discuss:

• A pre-submission review of your Part B before 24 November
• An in-house session for your team
• Specific questions about your DN proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

I cannot attend live. Will I get the recording?

No. This is a live-only session, and no recording will be sent to registrants. If you want to benefit from the practical exercises and Q&A, please attend live.

Four weeks before the deadline — is it too late?

No. The session is specifically designed for the final month before submission. We focus on what you can still fix, what you should leave alone, and what must be checked before the 17:00 Brussels deadline on 24 November.

I am a partner, not the coordinator. Is this webinar for me?

Yes. Partners can affect the evaluation of the entire consortium through weak secondment, supervision, recruitment or training descriptions. You will learn what your contribution needs to demonstrate on paper.

Questions?

Email: info@keyinnovations.eu