Pillar II: Talent ecosystems for attractive early research careers
Pillar II: Talent ecosystems for attractive early research careers supports training providers and researcher employers in building partnerships to improve researchers’ skills, well-being, and career development.
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Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: December 8, 2026 (Opening) | March 11, 2027 (Application deadline, 17:00 Brussels time)
Funding Amounts: Around €2 million per project, normally up to 3 years; €29 million total topic budget
Summary: Supports cross-sector talent ecosystems that improve researchers’ skills, career development, well-being, and mobility, particularly early in their careers.
Key Information: Requires at least three independent beneficiaries in different EU Member States or Associated Countries, including two in Member States.
Description
The European Commission funds this Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action to build lasting cooperation between education and training providers and employers of researchers, especially non-academic employers. Talent ecosystems connect public research organisations, higher education institutions, industrial actors, and research-intensive businesses to improve employability, working conditions, career development, well-being, and movement between sectors and countries.
Supported activities include labour-market-informed training, upskilling, mentoring, career services, institutional reform, networking, and international talent outreach. Projects should embed the European framework for research careers and the European Charter for Researchers in participating organisations. Cooperation is expected to continue beyond the grant and benefit researchers and other research and innovation staff both inside and outside the consortium, while attracting international talent and European diaspora scientists.
