ESO DEADLINES

EC Timeline for successful applications

STEPS FOR APPLICANTS

1. Confirm eligibility

Before contacting a potential ESO Faculty supervisor, applicants should verify that they meet the MSCA PF eligibility criteria, including the requirements regarding research experience and mobility. Eligibility should be assessed using the Guidelines on the Calculation of the 8-Years Research Experience and the corresponding Self-Assessment Tool for Calculating the 8-Years Research Experience.

2. Identify a supervisor

Review the broad range of ESO research areas and identify a suitable Faculty supervisor through the ESO Garching Science webpage here.

3. Prepare your internal application forms

Core documents

• Research project concept (PDF | Word)
• Letter of commitment from ESO Faculty supervisor (PDF | Word)
• Eligibility self-assessment from candidate (PDF | Word)
• CV & Track Record (PDF | Word)
• PhD certificate or defence confirmation

Conditional documents (if applicable)

• Proof of eligible periods outside research, career breaks, or research in third countries (i.e. countries that are neither EU Member States nor Horizon Europe Associated Countries)
• Family allowance documentation (marriage certificate, registered partnership certificate, birth certificate of the children)

4. Internal submission

Submit application forms by the internal deadline to:

• ESO Director for Science, Dr. Jarle Brinchmann
• ESO Garching Head of the Office for Science, Dr. Michael Hilker
• Proposed ESO Faculty supervisor
• ESO Grants Officer, Stella Chasiotis-Klingner

5. Proposal preparation

Successful applicants will prepare their full MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal (Parts A and B) jointly with their ESO Faculty supervisor. The above-mentioned internal deadlines apply.

6. EU Portal draft submission

Successful applicants are asked to upload their MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship draft proposal (Parts A and B), jointly developed with their ESO Faculty supervisor, by 19 August 2026, ahead of the EC official deadline.

7. EU Portal proposal submission

Successful applicants are asked to submit their MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal, jointly developed with their ESO Faculty supervisor, prior to the offiical EC deadline of 9 September 2026 at 17:00 CEST.

HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01

CONTACTS

SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT

• ESO Faculty supervisor
• Head of the Office for Science Garching, Dr. Michael Hilker

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• Grants Officer, Stella Chasiotis-Klingner

ESO APPLICATION FORMS

• Research project concept (PDF | Word)
• Letter of commitment from ESO Faculty supervisor (PDF | Word)
• Eligibility self-assessment from candidate (PDF | Word)
• CV & Track Record (PDF | Word)
• PhD certificate or defence confirmation