MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships support young researchers in any discipline to carry out their research abroad. For European Fellowship (EF) the period of research must be in EU (CH included). For Global Fellowship (GF) the research must be in a Third Country with a mandatory return phase (EU-CH).
As of 2025, Swiss universities and profit or not-for-profit organizations can host researchers for a EF or act as the return host in a GF one. In case of approval, if the association agreement is not in place, SERI will fund the projects. CH citizens may not be eligible for Global call.
The calls foster researchers’ careers and excellence in research. They help researchers acquire new skills and gain experience in other countries. During the fellowship, you grantees may do a secondment outside academia.
The MSCA grant covers, according to EU flat rates, the following costs: • living (adjusted through the country correction coefficient), • relocation (“mobility”) • family costs (if applicable) • project related & training costs. The grant includes overheads (€650 per month).
For both calls, proposals will be evaluated by experts based on 'excellence', 'impact', and ‘implementation'. Resubmission is allowed for proposals rated above 70%. Seals of Excellence will be awarded to proposals with a total score equal to or higher than 85%, but which cannot be funded.
EF is open to applicants of any nationality, moving within EU Member State (MS) or Associated Country (AC) or coming to MS/AC from another part of the world to pursue their research projects for 12-24 months in a selected beneficiary institution.
For applicants who have a PhD at the call deadline & have no more than 8 yr. of research experience after PhD. Applicants must not have lived, worked, or studied in the country of the future beneficiary institution for more than 12 months during the 3 yr. prior to call deadline (Mobility Rule).
Applicants, who have identified a USI professor who is willing to host them and their project at USI, must send the following documents to servizio.ricerca@usi.ch by 15 July 2025:• USI eligibility form• CV • a confirmation of support from USI supervisor.
GF is open to applicants, nationals or EU MS/AC long-term residents, moving outside EU to pursue their projects for 2-3 yr. The first 1-2 yr. will be spent in a non-associated Third Country. A return phase of 1 yr. to an MS/AC institution is mandatory. CH entities can host the return phase only.
For applicants who have a PhD at the call deadline & have no more than 8 yr. of research experience after PhD. Eligible researchers must comply with the Mobility Rule with reference to the country of the future host institution for the outgoing phase. CH citizens might not be eligible.
Applicants must send the following documents to servizio.ricerca@usi.ch by 15 July 2025:• USI eligibility form • CV • a confirmation of support from both USI (for return phase) and host supervisor abroad (for the outgoing phase).
Curious to learn more about MSCA PF opportunities? Euresearch held a webinar on 15 April, presenting the key aspects & providing practical guidance for applicants. The recording is now available! Contact us to access the Online Tutorial by Euresearch, tailored for CH based applicants.
