[For UP8 researchers]

The objectives of MSCA Choose Europe for Science are to :

• increase the attractiveness of European research careers by addressing the issue of precarity
• offer excellent working conditions, turning the current challenge of brain drain in the research and innovation sector into brain gain

This pilot action supports projects in which academic and non-academic organizations recruit postdoctoral researchers, with a view to offering longer-term employment beyond the project period.

Projects should recruit at least 3 researchers for up to 5 years, with MSCA co-funding the first 2-3 years and the institutions providing the funding (internal or external sources) for an additional 2 years. The beneficiary can receive a maximum of €3.5 million.

The recruited researchers :

• can be of any nationality
• should comply with the mobility rules (e.g., should not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the deadline)
• can go on short-term secondments
• must hold a PhD
• should not be already permanently employed by the hosting organization

Expected outcomes for supported researchers :

• Concrete career prospects and increased career stability
• Access to diverse career pathways in and outside academia
• Deeper and more diverse set of research-related, academic and transferable skills and competences, leading to greater autonomy

Expected outcomes for participating organizations :

• Increased global attractiveness, visibility and reputation
• Stronger R&I and teaching capacity and output
• Increased contribution of the local, regional and/or national socioeconomic ecosystems
• Stronger synergies across institutional research, management and teaching structures

How to apply ?

You need to apply on behalf of an organization. The call is opening on October 1, 2025 and closes on December 3, 2025. For UP8 researchers who would like to submit a project, please, reach out to the Research project department (Service ingénierie de projets de recherche) : projetsrecherche@univ-paris8.fr

This innovative action is part of the “Choose Europe for Science” initiative, unveiled by the European Union on May 5, 2025. This new policy aims to ensure Europe continues to be at the forefront of research and attracts the best scientists around the world. The “Choose Europe for Science” initiative is declined into the following actions :

• €500 million Super Grant Prgoram (2025-2027) through the European Research Council (ERC) to fund ground-breaking research
• New legal guarantees to protect academic freedom
• France’s €100 million commitment to support incoming researchers
• A new MSCA pilot programme offering long-term pathways for young researchers, with a €22.5 million budget