PF: A Postdoctoral Fellowship applicant has been diagnosed with a disorder and will need medical treatment and medicine. Is it possible to request additional financial support and should the applicant disclose their diagnosis in the application form?

On p. 103 of the 2026-2027 MSCA Work programme it is written that “The special needs allowance contributes to the additional costs for the acquisition of special needs items and services for researchers with disabilities, whose long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments are certified by a competent national authority, and of such nature that their participation in the action may not be possible without them (e.g. assistance by third persons, adaptation of work environment, additional travel/transportation costs).”

If the abovementioned conditions are respected, then the applicant should be eligible for the special needs allowance.

Applicants can find more detailed information on the procedure to request the special needs allowance on p.38 of the MSCA financial guide.