Any advice on Marie Curie fellowships for Max Planck?

Ai52487963

American here, applying to some Max Planck places this year for PhDs. It seems pretty clear that if you don't need financial aid when trying to land a position, your chances are much higher for getting one.

I've been referred to Marie Curie fellowships for European study, but I don't really know much about them. Are they like scholarships or something? Are they impossible to compete for or are they granted by the institution you're applying for?