IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme 2026/2027: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship for Women in Nuclear-Related Fields

The IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) is an international scholarship initiative designed to encourage and support young women who want to build careers in nuclear science, nuclear technology, nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear medicine, nuclear law and other nuclear-related disciplines. Established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the programme provides financial support to selected female students pursuing master's degrees in nuclear-related fields at accredited universities. In addition to financial assistance for master's studies, selected students may also have access to limited internship opportunities facilitated by the IAEA. The programme is particularly valuable for women who want to develop specialist expertise in a field where women remain underrepresented and subsequently contribute to the peaceful, safe and secure applications of nuclear science and technology. The IAEA MSCFP is therefore more than a conventional university scholarship. It is an opportunity to obtain advanced academic training while positioning yourself for a future career in the international nuclear sector. About the IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme The IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme was created to inspire more young women to pursue educational and professional opportunities in nuclear-related fields. The programme recognizes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce capable of contributing to the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology. Through the MSCFP, selected students receive financial assistance toward their master's studies in approved nuclear-related disciplines. The programme may also provide limited internship opportunities facilitated by the IAEA, allowing eligible students to gain exposure to professional environments connected to their academic specialization. The initiative is named after Marie Skłodowska-Curie, one of history's most influential scientists and a pioneer in the study of radioactivity. The programme's broader objective is to encourage the next generation of women scientists, engineers, researchers, legal experts and professionals to enter and contribute to the nuclear field. The IAEA has reported substantial participation in the programme since its launch. Its 2025 reporting stated that 760 students from 129 Member States had been selected since the programme began in 2020, with recipients studying in 76 countries. What Does the IAEA MSCFP Scholarship Cover? One of the major attractions of the IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme is the level of financial support available to successful applicants. Selected students may receive: • Up to €20,000 for tuition costs • Up to €20,000 for living costs • Potential internship opportunities facilitated by the IAEA • Exposure to an international professional and academic network in nuclear-related fields This means that the maximum support described under the programme can reach up to €40,000, consisting of up to €20,000 toward tuition and up to €20,000 toward living expenses. The actual amount awarded can depend on the applicant's circumstances and the programme's assessment of the financial support required. Applicants who already have another scholarship for their master's programme must declare it to the IAEA. Where additional scholarship funding exists, the IAEA's financial support may be adjusted accordingly. The programme's financial arrangements are therefore designed to prevent undisclosed duplication of scholarship support. Who Can Apply for the IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship? The MSCFP has specific eligibility requirements, and applicants should carefully review them before beginning an application. 1. Applicants must be female The programme is specifically designed to encourage more women to pursue careers in nuclear-related disciplines. Therefore, the programme is open to female candidates who meet the academic and programme requirements. 2. Applicants must be from an IAEA Member State The programme is open to students from IAEA Member States. This means that eligibility is determined by the applicant's country being a Member State of the International Atomic Energy Agency rather than by a particular continent or region. Applicants from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, the Pacific and other regions may therefore be eligible if their country is an IAEA Member State. 3. Applicants must be accepted into or enrolled in a master's programme Applicants must either: • Have been accepted into an accredited university master's programme; or • Already be enrolled in an accredited university master's programme. The master's programme must be related to an eligible nuclear-related field. An applicant who has not yet secured admission to an eligible master's programme should therefore pay particular attention to the admission requirement before applying. Academic Requirements Academic performance is an important component of the MSCFP selection process. The programme indicates that preference is given to candidates with above-average academic credentials, specifically: • 75% or above, or • A GPA greater than 3.0 out of 4.0. Meeting the academic benchmark does not necessarily mean an applicant will automatically receive the fellowship. Selection also considers other factors, including educational background, previous achievements, motivation, career objectives and commitment to public service. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that academic grades alone determine the outcome. Eligible Fields of Study The IAEA MSCFP supports master's programmes in fields connected to nuclear science, nuclear technology and the wider peaceful applications of nuclear energy. Eligible or relevant fields include areas such as: Nuclear Engineering Nuclear engineering focuses on the design, operation, safety and technological development of nuclear systems and facilities. Students interested in reactor technology, nuclear energy systems and related engineering applications may find this field particularly relevant. Nuclear Physics Nuclear physics examines the properties, structure and interactions of atomic nuclei. It is an important foundation for many applications of nuclear science and technology. Nuclear Chemistry Nuclear chemistry involves the study of radioactive materials, nuclear reactions, radioisotopes and chemical processes associated with nuclear science. Nuclear Medicine Nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials for diagnosis, imaging and treatment of disease. This area is particularly relevant to students interested in the intersection between healthcare and nuclear technology. Isotopic Techniques Isotopic techniques have applications across areas such as medicine, agriculture, environmental science, hydrology, food safety and scientific research. Radiation Biology Radiation biology examines the effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms and biological systems. This field is important in areas including radiation protection, medicine and nuclear research. Nuclear Safety Nuclear safety focuses on preventing accidents and minimizing risks associated with nuclear facilities, materials and technologies. Nuclear Security Nuclear security concerns measures designed to prevent, detect and respond to unauthorized access, theft, misuse or other malicious activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Nuclear non-proliferation deals with efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while supporting peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Nuclear Law Nuclear law combines legal principles with the regulatory requirements surrounding nuclear activities. It can involve areas such as nuclear safety, nuclear security, liability, safeguards, regulation and international nuclear cooperation. The IAEA provides a broader list of eligible and related fields, meaning applicants should not automatically assume that their programme is ineligible simply because its title does not exactly match one of the examples above. Why the Field of Study Matters Applicants should understand that the MSCFP is not a general master's scholarship. The programme is specifically connected to the IAEA's mandate and therefore focuses on disciplines that can contribute to the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology. For example, a general master's programme that has no meaningful connection to nuclear science, technology, safety, security, medicine, law or another relevant area may not qualify. Applicants should therefore carefully compare their intended programme with the IAEA's list of supported fields before applying. Required Application Documents Applicants are required to submit supporting documents in addition to completing the online MSCFP application form. The required documents include the following: 1. Passport or National ID Applicants must provide a copy of an accepted identification document, such as: • Passport; or • National identification document. Applicants should ensure that the document submitted is clear and readable. 2. University Admission or Acceptance Letter Applicants must provide an official acceptance or admission letter from the university where they will undertake their master's programme. The document should indicate: • The university; • The master's programme; • The nuclear-related field of study; and • The duration of the programme. This is an important document because the IAEA needs to establish that the applicant has been accepted into an appropriate programme. 3. Tuition Fee Statement Applicants must submit documentation showing the tuition costs associated with the master's programme. This may include an official statement or confirmation from the university detailing the applicable tuition fees. 4. Information About Other Scholarships If the applicant has received or is receiving another scholarship for the master's programme, documentation relating to that scholarship must also be submitted. Applicants are required to disclose other scholarship funding because the IAEA may adjust its financial support when another scholarship is available. 5. Reference Form Applicants must arrange for referees to complete the required IAEA reference template. At least one reference is mandatory, while a second reference is preferred. An important point is that the references must be sent directly by the referees to the MSCFP email address by the application deadline. Applicants should therefore contact their potential referees early rather than waiting until the final day of the application period. All Application Documents Must Be in English The IAEA requires application documents to be submitted in English. If an applicant's original documents are written in another language, the applicant must also provide an official English translation. This requirement is particularly important for international applicants because incomplete documentation or missing translations can affect the assessment of the application. The IAEA explicitly states that incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants should therefore review their application carefully before submission and ensure that every required document has been provided. See Application Form HERE How the IAEA MSCFP Selection Process Works The selection process is competitive. Applications are reviewed by the IAEA MSCFP Technical Selection Committee. The committee assesses applications against several selection criteria rather than considering academic performance alone. The assessment includes: • Meeting the programme's entry requirements; • Educational background; • Previous academic and professional achievements; • Motivation for pursuing the programme; • The potential impact of the fellowship on the applicant's career goals; • Commitment to p

• Must be female • Must be from an IAEA Member State • Must be accepted into or already enrolled in an accredited university master's programme in an eligible nuclear-related field • Academic performance: 75% or above, or GPA greater than 3.0 out of 4.0 (preference given to above-average candidates)