How to apply

The first call for applications offering 12 postdoctoral fellowships will be open from July 1 to August 31, 2026.

The target group of FutureChips are international researchers holding a doctoral degree in fields related to photonics, advanced materials, future electronics and chip design. This includes both researchers working in academia and professionals holding a doctoral degree in industry interested to return to academia to advance their career.

Guide for Applicants will be published in June 2026.

To be eligible, applicants must:

be in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the co-funded programme’s call (1st call: August 31, 2026). Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered as postdoctoral researchers and will be considered eligible to apply.
meet MSCA Mobility Rule requirements, i.e., not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline. However, to promote fairness and equal opportunity, any documented career breaks such as compulsory national service, maternity or paternity leave, and short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention will not be taken into account when assessing mobility (for fellows returning to academia after a career break).

Applications must be based on individual-driven mobility.

In addition, to be admissible, applicants must submit a complete application package as single pdf by the call deadline, including:

Completed online application, including applicant personal details and commitment to comply with rules.
a. Self-declaration on commitment to compile with the TAU policies as given in the call documentation, with the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK guidelines.
b. Ethics self-assessment.
Research Plan Abstract (maximum 2,500 characters excluding spaces using the provided template, no listing of references).
Research Plan within any of the four research areas of FutureChips (see Table 3), including considerations of ethical issues and references (maximum 25,000 characters excluding spaces using the provided template).
Identification of at least one potential research group and supervisor from the list published in the call text.
Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages) based on the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK Template for researcher’s curriculum vitae, detailing the full scientific track record and career breaks (e.g. parental leave, compulsory military service, long-term sick leave).
List of publications, indicating the 5 most significant ones. Non-English titles must be translated into English.
Initial Data Management Plan (maximum 1 page, see 1.2.2) based on the Horizon Europe DMP template.
Copy of Doctoral Certificate (if unavailable, a copy of official confirmation of successful PhD defence).
Mandatory Motivation letter (maximum 1 page) addressing career plans and consideration of the benefits of international and inter-sectorial mobility (secondments/research visits).

Fellows are expected to participate in non-academic secondments (2-6 months ) between months 3 and 34 of the fellowship.