Marie Curie PhD Scholarships 2025: No Application Fee, High Stipend, and No GRE or IELTS

International students looking for fully funded PhD opportunities in Europe have a fantastic chance to apply for 15 PhD positions under the COCOSO Industrial Doctoral Network. Funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), this program focuses on research in social welfare and aims to bridge academic research with real-world applications through collaboration with social sector organizations.

Key Benefits of the COCOSO PhD Scholarships

• No GRE/IELTS required
• No application fee
• Monthly stipend: €4,000 (approx. ₹12,65,000 PKR)
• Additional stipend for spouse: €650 (approx. ₹2,00,000 PKR) per month
• 50% research-based work with social sector organizations
• Fully funded international training and study sessions in different European countries

Program Overview

COCOSO (Co-Constructing in Social Welfare) focuses on participation and co-construction in social welfare, emphasizing social innovation, democracy, and local development. The program selects 15 PhD candidates for interdisciplinary research in areas like social policy, education, sociology, history, and communication sciences.

• Candidates will work closely with senior academic supervisors and industry professionals to ensure practical application of their research.
• 50% of the research will be conducted in collaboration with social sector partners.
• The program includes international study sessions every six months, online meetings, and personalized research training to help students apply their findings effectively.

PhD Research Topics and Locations

The program offers diverse topics across different locations in Europe:

1. Community Involvement in Combatting Stigma of People with Mental Health Problems – Greece
2. Digital Volunteerism and New Forms of Social Inclusion/Exclusion – Poland
3. Compared Perspectives on Co-Construction for People with Disabilities – Denmark
4. Effective Dissemination of Co-Construction Strategies – France
5. Power, Gender, and Participation in the Global History of the Social Work Profession – Austria/Romania
6. Multi-Actor Co-Construction in Local Welfare Policies: Post-COVID Challenges – Portugal
7. Gender Factors in Co-Constructing Solutions for Homeless Citizens – Denmark
8. Social Services and Service Users in Family Foster Care Planning – Greece
9. Lived Experience Advocacy in Child Protection – France/UK
10. Older Adults’ Participation in Co-Construction via Technology-Mediated Care – Denmark/Italy
11. Cross-National Comparison of Young People’s Understandings of Co-Construction – Portugal/Spain
12. Co-Constructive Leadership in NGO Social Service Sectors – Poland/Portugal
13. Universal Access and Diversity in Co-Constructed Digital Disability Communities – Austria
14. Co-Constructing Evaluation of Services with Vulnerable Populations – France
15. Digital Tools for Co-Construction in Crisis Management within Organizations – Portugal

Eligibility and Requirements

• Open to international candidates with academic backgrounds in social sciences, humanities, or policy research
• Must meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) mobility rule, meaning candidates should not have resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the past 3 years
• English proficiency required (no GRE or IELTS needed)

Application Process

To apply, visit the official program page:
Apply Here

Application Deadline

• Deadline to apply: 2 March 2025
• Program duration: 1 September 2025 – 31 August 2028

The COCOSO PhD program is a life-changing opportunity for those passionate about addressing social welfare challenges. With full funding, interdisciplinary training, and international exposure, students will develop cutting-edge expertise while working directly with organizations driving social change. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to meaningful research in Europe—apply by 2 March 2025!

Source

FAQ: