[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

October 1, 2025 (opens) | December 3, 2025 (deadline)

Total call budget: €22,500,000; individual programme funding varies; EU funding covers 24–36 months of minimum gross salary per recruited researcher

Supports institutional programmes to recruit and develop postdoctoral researchers in Europe, enhancing career prospects and research excellence across all disciplines.

--- ## Description The MSCA Choose Europe for Science 2025 initiative is designed to counteract brain drain and precarious career conditions by making Europe a more attractive destination for emerging research talent. The programme funds institutional-level talent recruitment and development schemes for researchers holding a doctoral degree, offering a structured pathway to stable and rewarding research careers. Supported programmes are multidisciplinary, must use open and competitive selection, and are expected to provide excellent working and career development conditions, including training in both transferable and discipline-specific skills. Selected researchers benefit from two phases: an EU-funded phase (24–36 months) with a guaranteed minimum gross salary, followed by a second phase (24 months) in which the host institution continues employment with competitive national-level salaries and sustainable funding. Programmes must align with the European Charter for Researchers and the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, ensuring transparent, merit-based selection and long-term career prospects such as open-ended contracts. Career Development Plans are required throughout the fellowship, supporting skills development, research output, and career progression. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: October 1, 2025 - Application deadline: December 3, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total call budget: €22,500,000 (2025) - EU funding covers 24–36 months of minimum gross salary per recruited researcher during the first phase - Institutions are expected to fund a second phase (24 months) with attractive national-level salaries and continued employment - The number of grants and specific award sizes will depend on the scope of submitted recruitment programmes --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants: Academic and non-academic organisations established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries - Researchers recruited must hold a doctoral degree - Programmes may cover any research discipline - Selection procedures must be open, competitive, merit-based, and adhere to international peer-review standards - Alignment with the European Charter for Researchers and the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment is required - Additional eligibility and operational requirements are detailed in the [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf) and [Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2025-COFUND-02-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - Application forms and templates will be available in the Submission System when the call opens - Proposals must comply with page limits and formatting as described in the application instructions - Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are outlined in the [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf) - Guidance documents, FAQs, and support resources are provided on the portal --- ## Additional Information - Programmes must publish vacancy notices internationally (including on [EURAXESS](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/)), specifying gross salaries and selection criteria - Career Development Plans must be maintained and updated throughout the programme - Programmes should offer clear pathways to long-term career prospects (e.g., open-ended contracts) - For further details, consult the [MSCA part of the Work Programme](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf) --- ## External Links - [Call details and application portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2025-COFUND-02-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf) - [MSCA Work Programme](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [European Charter for Researchers](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/am509774cee_en_e4.pdf) - [Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment](https://coara.eu/app/uploads/2022/09/2022_07_19_rra_agreement_final.pdf) - [EURAXESS](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=lastModified&isExactMatch=true&type=ORGANISATION,PERSON&frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Contact Information | Resource | Link/Details | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder homepage | [European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) | | General enquiries | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | FAQ | [Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) |

MSCA Choose Europe for Science 2025

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