The COCOSO Industrial Doctoral Network is offering 15 fully funded PhD positions under the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This program runs from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2028, and is ideal for researchers seeking an interdisciplinary, international, and collaborative environment in social welfare and policy research.

• Host Countries: Denmark, Romania, Austria, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Greece
• Degree Level: PhD
• Eligible Applicants: International Students
• Scholarship Deadline: March 3, 2025

• Interdisciplinary Research – Covering fields like social policy,  education, sociology, communication sciences, and history.
• Industrial Doctorate Structure – PhD candidates split their time equally between academic institutions and social sector organizations.
• Dual Supervision – Each researcher benefits from mentorship from both academic and industry experts.
• International Training – Participants attend biannual study sessions across different European countries.
• No IELTS Required – Candidates must be proficient in English but do not need IELTS certification.

The 15 fully funded PhD positions focus on various topics, including:

• Co-Construction for People with Disabilities (Denmark)
• Power, Gender, and Participation in Social Work History (Austria/Romania)
• Youth Perspectives on Co-Construction (Portugal/Spain)
• Leadership in NGO Social Services (Poland/Portugal)
• Community Engagement in Mental Health (Greece)
• Digital Tools for Crisis Management in Organizations (Portugal)

For a full list of research projects, visit the COCOSO PhD Pre-Announcement.

• Fully Funded PhD Program under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
• Competitive Salary – Monthly stipend according to MSCA rates
• Mobility Allowance – Financial support for relocation and travel
• Family Allowance – Additional funding for candidates with dependents
• International Research Exposure – Regular study blocks across Europe
• Industry Experience – At least 50% of research conducted in non-academic settings (NGOs, think tanks, public institutions)

To qualify for the COCOSO Marie Curie PhD Scholarships, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Early-Stage Researcher Status – Candidates must not have a PhD at the time of application.
• MSCA Mobility Rule – Applicants must not have lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the past 36 months.
• Academic Background – A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, law, public policy, or related fields.
• Commitment to Industry Collaboration – Willingness to spend 50% of the PhD working in non-academic settings.
• English Proficiency – Strong English communication skills are required (IELTS is NOT mandatory).
• Passion for Social Welfare & Democracy – Interest in participatory governance, policy innovation, and co-construction models.