ERA Fellowships

ERA Fellowships are aimed at outstanding postdoctoral researchers of all nationalities and promote their cross-border mobility in EU ‘Widening’ countries. Academic and non-academic institutions from educational establishments, companies, or non-profit organizations act as hosts. With grants ranging from €100,000 to €500,000 per project for up to 36 months, the entire funding requirement is covered (100% funding rate). Eligible costs include personnel, travel, material, and administrative expenses. Applications must be submitted electronically by 9 September 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time). Requirements include a completed doctoral degree at the time of contract, proof of mobility, and cooperation with an institution in a Widening country. Evaluation criteria are innovation content, implementation quality, and exploitation strategies. A CV, project description, financial plan, and a letter of commitment from the host are mandatory for the application.

This call opens a platform to strengthen research and knowledge transfer competencies as well as sustainable networking between academia and the non-academic sector. Participants benefit from tailored training to develop transversal skills, a Career Development Plan, and optional secondments worldwide or placements in the non-academic sector. Key objectives are to improve employment and career prospects through international, interdisciplinary experience and to enhance the research attractiveness and innovation capacity of Widening countries. Selection is based on strict, transparent criteria by independent experts and takes place EU-wide. ERA Fellowships thus make a sustainable contribution to broadening excellence in science and innovation.