Seeking partners for an MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 consortium on the origin and evolution of life: theory, computation, and molecular evolution

I am looking for partner organizations to co-design and build a consortium for an MSCA Doctoral Networks (DN) 2026 proposal on the origin and early evolution of life. The 2026 call is open and closes on 24 November 2026. I'm based at the Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, CSIC-INTA) in Madrid and can contribute as a beneficiary and doctoral supervisor.

Scientific scope

The network would train doctoral candidates across the physics, chemistry, and biology of living systems. My contribution centers on theoretical and computational approaches, with research lines including:

• Origins of life and prebiotic chemistry

• Molecular evolution and the genetic code

• Computational and mathematical biology

I'm keeping the scope deliberately open. If your group works on adjacent questions in molecular evolution, biophysics, or astrobiology, there's likely a fit, and I'm happy to shape the joint research theme together.

Who I'm looking for

• Universities and research institutions that can recruit and supervise doctoral candidates

• Non-academic partners (industry, SMEs, museums, public bodies) to host secondments or join as beneficiaries or associated partners; the non-academic dimension strengthens the proposal

• Groups bringing experimental or observational work that pairs well with theory and computation

Eligibility basics

A consortium needs at least three independent legal entities, each in a different EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, with at least one in an EU Member State. The recommended size is 4 to 8 beneficiaries, and non-academic entities can participate. Partners from other countries can also join on top of the minimum.

Next step

If you're interested in co-developing this, contact me at celia.blanco(at)cab.inta-csic(dot)es with a short note on your group's focus and what you'd bring to the network.