Apply for a short-term research stay within Circle U.
The programme supports short research stays for postdocs currently employed at a Circle U. university.* It enables researchers to visit another Circle U. partner institution to establish connections to form research groups and prepare future fellowship applications.
Funding details
Funding covers stays between five and 20 workdays, with a fixed 250-euro travel grant and daily allowance of 110 euros for first ten days, and 90 euros thereafter. Days spent exclusively travelling or on weekends are not funded, grantees make their own travel arrangements.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible, applicants must hold a PhD, be employed during the stay, and secure approval from their institution. They must also have existing contacts at the host university and provide a letter of invitation from a senior academic there. In their application, candidates must present concrete plans for research-oriented activities at the hosting Circle U. university. The evaluation committee will consider applications which include a motivation letter, CV, invitation letter, and support letter from a current supervisor.
Selection process
Up to 18 fellowships are awarded per call, based on academic merit, career potential, and strength of the proposal.
*Please note that while King’s College London can host, postdocs employed at King’s are not eligible for funding.
The call is open!
Latest news about the Postdoc Mobility Programme
Learn more about the Postdoc Mobility Programme through the testimonies of two researchers who got the opportunity to take their research abroad and start collaborations.
Selection details
Grants will be awarded to the most suitable applicants on the following criteria:
- Eligibility of the application
- Scientific quality and feasibility of the proposed activities.
- Potential for career development and impact on the applicant’s field.
- Strength of the support letters from both the current and host institutions.
- Overall fit with the objectives of the mobility scheme.
The selection procedure stipulates that applications from each university are first evaluated separately, i.e. the best-evaluated application from each university will be considered. Subsequently, the best applications from all other applications (regardless of the applicant's home university) will be considered up to the maximum number of grants per call.
Grantees will be selected by an evaluation committee, consisting of members from all Circle U. universities, approximately four weeks after the respective deadline. Each application will undergo double peer-review by senior academics from the respective fields. Applicants will receive a notification by e-mail within two weeks after the final decision has been made.
Frequently asked questions
Extensions may be considered on own costs, but the funding will not be increased.
Yes, mobility in this scheme is only possible within the CU network.
No. Applicants must have been awarded their PhD by the time of application. Those who have not yet completed their PhD are not eligible and are encouraged to use mobility schemes for PhD candidates.
The payment will be done by the central Circle U. office based in Brussels according to the procedures as published on the website. It is paid as lump sum additionally to the usual salary.
The funding is intended to cover travel, subsistence and accommodation costs. The funding is awarded as lump sum, not according to actual receipts, but the mobility itself must be proven.
No, health insurance coverage must be covered by other sources. It is assumed that applicants are and remain employed by their current institutions during their research stay abroad.
This depends on your local laws. It is the applicant’s responsibility to clarify.
Yes, however the mobility scheme is intended to cover only the expenses for the researcher. Additional costs for family members must be borne by the researcher or other means.
Double funding is not permitted. However, additional funding can be used to extend the stay.
Applicants are encouraged to use their academic networks and reach out to potential mentors and institutions directly.
The letter should include an expression of willingness to host the postdoctoral researcher and the interest to support the submission of a funding application together with the postdoc. It should indicate at least some familiarity with the postdoc’s prior research and should reflect on how the postdoc fits to the host’s research agenda.
Yes, previous participation in other mobility schemes does not disqualify you from applying, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
All application materials must be submitted in English.
No. Changes of the host require a new application.
Yes, after the mobility. Participants must submit a short report on their mobility with information on the next steps and answer a short questionnaire.
The mobility period is intended to be continuous, but in exceptional cases, split stays may be considered. However, the funding will not increase.
Every applicant can apply only once per call. There are no other limitations foreseen.
No, mentors can receive as many postdocs as they want if they are also committed to support all respective funding applications of all the hosted postdocs.
The letter should be written and signed by a senior researcher or PI, who has in depth knowledge of the applicant’s qualities and achievements to be able to provide concrete recommendations in her/his letter.
The lump sum will be paid directly to the applicant's private bank account.
The lump sum will in any case be paid four weeks before the start of mobility.
As employment status can vary and funding programmes have different rules for mobility or stays abroad, this needs to be checked carefully. Please check with your current PI whether mobility is allowed before submitting your application.
The host must commit to exploring opportunities for future collaboration with the applicant, ideally through the acquisition of third-party funding. After the mobility, the host will be asked to complete a short questionnaire.
