From 26 to 28 May, the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano will host the 2026 edition of the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Days, the annual initiative supporting researchers interested in applying for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA PF) with unibz as Host Institution.

Organised across unibz main campus and NOI Techpark, the programme brings together future candidates, unibz supervisors and international experts to foster high-quality project development and strengthen international research collaborations. The three-day workshop combines technical training, individual mentoring and opportunities for exchange with researchers who have direct experience with European excellence programmes. Through presentations, practical sessions and networking activities, participants will receive guidance on proposal drafting, evaluation criteria and career development within the European research landscape.

The opening day began with institutional greetings from unibz Vice-Rector for Studies Marco Baratieri, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Tanja Mimmo and Manuel Gatto, Head of the Scientific Research Office at the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Bozen. Candidates then introduced themselves and their research interests through short elevator pitches before attending sessions dedicated to the main features of the 2026 MSCA PF call and the development of projects within the unibz context.

The afternoon programme will include discussions with former MSCA fellows and Seal of Excellence recipients, as well as exchanges with unibz professors involved in European excellence programmes such as the ERC and MSCA. Participants will also receive practical advice from experienced MSCA evaluators on how to strengthen their proposals. 

The second day will focus on proposal writing and project development. Alongside technical sessions hold by the National Contact Point APRE on proposal templates, best practices and common submission mistakes, candidates will work directly with supervisors to refine their project ideas, visit laboratories and infrastructures and meet collaborators and stakeholders.

On the final day, participants will present their preliminary project concepts and receive feedback from unibz experts. The programme will conclude with a visit to NOI Techpark, offering participants an overview of the regional innovation ecosystem and opportunities for future collaboration, outreach activities and secondments and the participation to unibz’s Dies academicus.

By bringing together candidates, supervisors, evaluators and institutional partners, the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Days aim to strengthen the quality of research proposals while fostering an international, interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.