Fostering balanced brain circulation – ERA Fellowships

This program primarily targets excellent postdoctoral researchers and host organizations located in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries identified as 'Widening Countries'. The overarching objective is to deepen the European Research Area by promoting balanced brain circulation, attracting and retaining top talents, and strengthening R&I systems in less research-intensive regions.

The ERA Fellowships support research and innovation projects focused on enhancing researcher skills and institutional R&I capacity. Projects should emphasize cross-border mobility, intersectoral placements, and training in transferable and Open Science skills, contributing to a more effective European Research Area.

ERA Fellowships provide grant-based financial support to excellent postdoctoral researchers, with the EU contribution tied to person-months. The program had an allocated budget of EUR 8,000,000 for the 2022 year.

Applicants must meet stringent admissibility and eligibility criteria outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and specific MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships conditions. Key aspects include mono-beneficiary grant structure with a host in a Widening Country, and adherence to specific evaluation and award procedures.

The application process for ERA Fellowships is linked to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 call. Applicants submit their proposals to MSCA-PF, and if they meet specific criteria and are not funded by MSCA, they are automatically considered for ERA Fellowships.

The ERA Fellowships program operates under the broader framework of Horizon Europe, with its specific conditions and implementation governed by various legal and operational documents including the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the MSCA Work Programme part.