Choose Europe for Science

01WHAT’S UP

02INTRODUCTION

The "Choose Europe for Science" initiative, launched by the European Commission, is a strategy aimed at attracting and retaining top global research talent by promoting Europe as a leading destination for scientific research and innovation. It offers a package of measures, including funding, mobility schemes, and support for researchers, to make Europe a more attractive place to conduct research.

The package of initiatives with a volume of around € 500 million from 2025 to 2027 includes:

  • ERC: Specifically for the Advanced grant, researchers moving from non-EU countries can apply for an additional € 2 million to cover eligible start-up costs, including personnel expenses, equipment, and access to large facilities.
    Moreover, under the new “ERC Super Grant initiative”, the grant duration will be extended to seven years.
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA): Launching in 2025, the “Choose Europe for Science” initiative aims to attract and retain top research talent globally. With a budget of € 22.5 million, this pilot under MSCA seeks to address brain drain and enhance research career prospects in Europe. It offers extended postdoctoral fellowships and encourages institutions to provide longer-term employment opportunities. A second call is planned for 2027.
  • ERA Chairs: A € 230 million ERA Chairs call, part of the WIDERA Work Programme 2026-2027 to be adopted at the end of 2025, aims to attract top researchers and research managers to universities or research centres in Widening countries, as defined by Horizon Europe. It supports the creation of around 120 research teams, built around ERA Chairs and fully integrated into the host institutions, with the goal of significantly improving research performance in a chosen scientific field.

Comprehensive information on EU level and national activities can be found at Choose Europe: advance your research career in the EU or on the EURAXESS platform that also includes national level activities - in Austria for example at Research & Innovation in Austria: Focus USA | EURAXESS.