About
FutureChips is a new postdoctoral programme designed to build an elite research community in next-generation semiconductor technologies. This 60-month postdoctoral programme offers 20 excellent researchers a 36-month fellowship in the field of next-generation semiconductor technologies. The fellows are given the opportunity to design their own research project addressing the programme’s four interconnected semiconductor research areas: 1. Advanced materials, 2. Novel architectures, 3. Chip design, 4. Advanced packaging.
Calls
The 20 fellows are recruited in two calls through a transparent, open, merit-based and international selection process.
The first call for applications (12 fellowships) will be open from July 1 to August 31, 2026. Fellows are expected to relocate to Tampere and to start their fellowship in July 2027.
Fellows will benefit from interdisciplinary supervision, mentoring, and tailored career development. The programme offers advanced research training, intersectoral secondments, and international mobility.
You can find more information about eligibility and admissibility on our How to apply -page.
Background
FutureChips is a new postdoctoral programme hosted by the Tampere University in Finland, co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) COFUND under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. The programme’s duration is 1.5.2026 – 30.4.2031.
The research will be carried out at Tampere University, Finland’s second-largest and most industry-engaged university, known internationally for excellence in photonics and chip design. Situated in one of Europe’s top 5 semiconductor hubs, the university offers a unique ecosystem where research organisations, start-ups, and established industry players collaborate closely. The programme offers world-class research infrastructure, state-of-the-art chip design tools, extensive training resources, strategic industrial collaborations and attractive career development opportunities in key semiconductor domains. The Tampere region is among the world’s top 5 semiconductor hubs.
Tampere University (TAU) is Finland’s second-largest university with 2.300 researchers. The FutureChips programme is implemented at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (ENS) and at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences (ITC).
Goal
FutureChips will promote scientific excellence and will attract top talent to grow the existing semiconductor research community at Tampere University. FutureChips will prepare the 20 postdoctoral researchers to become leaders in semiconductor science and technology.
Impact
FutureChips is directly aligned with the EU Chips Act, which aims to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem, reduce strategic dependencies, and address the skills gap in microelectronics. By attracting global talent and fostering world-class research, the programme will reinforce Tampere University’s position as a hub for semiconductor excellence and boost Europe’s capacity for innovation, technological sovereignty, and leadership in semiconductor design and manufacturing.
Funding
FutureChips is co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) COFUND under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.
Associated partners
The postdoctoral fellows are expected to undertake at least 1 secondment in the private sector (2-6 months). To this end, and to include the semiconductor sector’s perspectives and experiences in trainings, the programme collaborates with following associated partners:
- Tuotekehitys Oy Tamlink (Tamlink/FiCCC)
- Business Tampere Oy
- Silicon Austria Labs GmbH
- Institute SiNANO Association
- Solinide Photonics Ab
- Continental Automotive Romania SRL
- SisuSemi Ltd.