Call for applications opens on November 3, 2025

The AToUT Programme (Attractiveness of Toulouse University for Transitions) is a postdoctoral fellowship initiative coordinated by the University of Toulouse and a core component of the TIRIS initiative (Toulouse Initiative for Research Impact on Society).

It is co-funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe (MSCA-COFUND, Grant Agreement No. 101216810), and aims to strengthen the university’s international attractiveness by supporting researchers in mobility tackling major societal transitions.

Research areas

AToUT aims to support high-level postdoctoral research in three strategic areas (thematic priorities of the TIRIS project) :

1. Health and well-being: personalised medicine, healthy ageing, artificial intelligence and the social/environmental impact on health.
2. Global changes and its impact on society: adapting to climate change, sustainable public policies and economic models, social transformation and technologies.
3. Sustainable transitions: green energy, intelligent mobility, circular economy, innovative materials and responsible industrialisation.

With 140+ research units and strong academic/socio-economic partnerships, AToUT promotes excellence, interdisciplinarity, and international mobility.

Find out more about the 143 research laboratories and 16 international partners of the Toulouse Community of Universities: https://www.univ-toulouse.fr/guide-de-recherche

Fellowship Offer

• 44 fellowships of 24 months (three calls)
• Full employment contract (French hosting institution)
• Competitive monthly allowance (including mobility and social security)
• Access to top research infrastructure
• Personalised training & mentoring

Who Can Apply ?

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Submit a full-time project not already funded by the EU
• Hold a PhD by the call deadline
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule:
• Not have resided or worked in France >12 months in the 36 months before the deadline
• Not be permanently employed by the future host institution

Scientific Scope

Postdoctoral projects must align with one of the following interdisciplinary themes of TIRIS:

• Understanding and promoting good health and well-being
• Understanding global changes and their impact on societies
• Accelerating sustainable transitions

AND be rooted within one of the disciplinary clusters of the University of Toulouse :

• BABS (Biology, Agronomy, Biotechnology, Health)
• DSPEG (Law, Political Science, Economics, Finance)
• H-SHS (Humanities and Social Sciences)
• MST2I (Mathematics, science and information technology and engineering)
• SDM (Chemistry, Matter Sciences)
• UPEE (Universe, planet, space, environment)

Applicants must identify at least one host research unit affiliated with AToUT, using :

• Lab Connect
• The list of Universty of Toulouse research Units

How to Apply ?

Applications must be submitted online via the AToUT platform.

Required documents (PDF only):

• Application form
• PhD certificate / defense proof
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Research proposal (max. 10 pages)
• Previous research experience
• Ethics self-assessment template
• Career Development Plan (CDP) template
• Data Management Plan (DMP) template

Selection Procedure

Three-phase process :

1. Eligibility & ethical check by the executive team

The applicants will be informed of their eligibility (completeness, compliance, ethical issues) by e- mail after the call closure. Only eligible applicants will be evaluated at the 1st selection round.

• External peer review (Excellence, Impact, Implementation)

Each application will be evaluated by 2 international / independent experts. They will evaluate both the profile of the candidate and the research project. An independent Selection Committee will rank the applications. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for the 2nd selection round (interviews).

• Interview with interdisciplinary panel (communication, motivation, coherence)

The online interview will consist of a 10-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute discussion between the candidate and the Interview Evaluation Panel members composed of national and international experts.

• Funding Decision

The interview committee will formally approve the final list of selected candidates.

• Feedback & redress procedure

All candidates will be informed of the results and next steps by e-mail. Redress/appeal possibility is available at all stages of the procedure by contacting atout@univ-toulouse.fr

Key Dates

The winners will receive :

• Call opens : 3 November 2025
• Deadline : 28 February 2026
• Results : 1 July 2026
• Fellowship starts : Between September 2026 and December 2026

Download the full project calendar

Documents and Resources

Useful Downloads

• Short Guide 2025 – 2026 (Tool Box)
• Guide for Applicants (PDF)
• Research Proposal Template (DOCX)
• Career Development Plan Template
• Ethics & CDP Guidelines
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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Contact us

Mail : atout@univ-toulouse.fr
Localisation : Toulouse Community of Institutions and Universities – 41 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse in France