The AToUT programme is an initiative for excellence in post-doctoral research supported by the Communauté d’universités et d’établissements and co-financed by the European Commission via the MSCA-COFUND scheme.

Why choose AToUT?
This programme offers fully-funded two-year postdoctoral contracts, with a competitive salary and structured career development support. Researchers join an interdisciplinary research environment, with access to over 140 internationally renowned laboratories at the heart of Toulouse’s university campus.

This programme is aimed at researchers from all over the world who are ready to develop projects with a high scientific and societal impact.

What is AToUT?
AToUT is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND programme designed to recruit 44 postdoctoral fellows over three campaigns (2025, 2026 and 2027). The selected researchers will carry out an independent, innovative research project and will benefit from a stimulating interdisciplinary and intersectoral environment.

Research areas

AToUT is structured around three main strategic themes:

1. Health and well-being: personalised medicine, healthy ageing, artificial intelligence and the social/environmental impact on health.
2. Global change 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.

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

Candidate profile

The programme is open:

• Holders of a doctorate, whatever their nationality.
• Those who have not lived in France for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
• A wide range of profiles, including atypical or cross-sector careers.

Application calendar

Applications are organised in three cohorts, with an annual call for projects:

1st cohort:

• Call opens: November 2025
• Applications close: 28 February 2026
• Contracts begin: July 2026

2nd cohort:

• Call opens: November 2026
• Applications close: end of February 2027
• Contracts start: July 2027

3rd cohort:

• Call opens: November 2027
• Applications close: end of February 2028
• Auditions: July 2028
• Contracts begin: September 2028

Application procedure

To apply : Prepare the following documents:

1. CV (5 pages max)
2. Letter of motivation Research project (20 pages max)
3. PhD diploma Ethics review (if necessary)
4. Submit the application via the online application portal.

Submit the application via the online application portal.

Selection criteria

Entries will be assessed in three categories:

• Scientific excellence (50%): originality of project, methodology, quality of career path.
• Impact (30%): scientific and societal spin-offs, career prospects.
• Feasibility (20%): research environment, resources, supervision.

There are two stages to the selection process:

1. Pre-selection by external assessment
2. Final interview

Coaching & professional development

The winners will receive :

• A mentoring programme supervised by experienced researchers and professionals.
• International mobility opportunities in academia or industry.
• Dedicated training (ethics, AI, project writing, entrepreneurship, etc.).
• Privileged access to Toulouse’s scientific infrastructure.

Open science and social commitment

AToUT is committed to open, transparent and responsible science. Researchers will be invited to :

• Publish their results in open access.
• Participate in scientific outreach activities (Fête de la science, Researchers’ Night, etc.).
• Collaborate with public decision-makers and the private sector.

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Contact

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