Q: I am a doctoral student defending my PhD thesis soon. Am I eligible for this programme?
A: You need to have a doctoral degree in a relevant field to be eligible for the programme. Applicants who have successfully defended their PhD thesis but do not yet have the official doctoral degree certificate are eligible if they submit proof of successful defense. Please note that you must have the official doctoral degree certificate at the beginning of employment.
Q: If I am selected for this programme, do I need to relocate to Tampere?
A: Yes, the postdoctoral fellows selected for the programme are required to relocate to Tampere, Finland.
Q: What is the MSCA mobility rule?
A: The MSCA mobility rule states that the applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country where the fellowship is carried out for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline. For FutureChips, that means the applicants must not have lived, worked, or studied in Finland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the 31st of August 2026.
Q: Can I submit an application by email?
A: No. All applications must be submitted through the Laura recruitment system. Applications sent by email are not accepted.
Q: Is it possible to send additional information or update my application after the submission?
A: No, after your application is received you cannot modify it or send any additional materials.
Q: What evaluation criteria will be used to assess my application?
A: The evaluation criteria are explained in the Guide for Applicants (to be published in June 2026).
Q: When will I be informed about the selection results?
A: Applicants who pass the eligibility check will be informed of the outcome after the external evaluation and interview phases have concluded (January 2027). Applicants who do not pass the eligibility check will be informed about the outcome after the call closes and the eligibility checks are conducted in September 2026.
Q: I am not happy with the result of my evaluation, what can I do?
A: Applicants may appeal within 1 week of being informed of the application outcome via a redress procedure based on procedural errors or factual inaccuracies.
Q: If my application is successful, when am I expected to start the fellowship?
A: You should be available to start the fellowship in July 2027.
Q: Will relocation services be available?
A: Yes, Tampere University and the City of Tampere offer relocation services, see the Guide for Applicants (to be published in June 2026).