Research Talent Attraction Initiative - MSCA-PF
The Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) in Seville is offering positions for postdoctoral researchers interested in carrying out a 2-3 year project based in Spain within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowships programme (MSCA-PF), which is part of Pillar I of the European R&I Framework Programme, Horizon Europe (HE).
> Info fact sheet MSCA-PF 2025.
The Research Talent Attraction Initiative is a Proposal Support Programme specifically designed to enhance the success rate of MSCA-PF applications hosted by UPO, covering both European and Global Fellowships. Through structured support aligned with the main proposal sections (Parts B1 and B2), the Initiative supports competitive researchers in developing stronger applications. Candidates with a confirmed UPO Supervisor are invited to express their participation interest.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THIS INITIATIVE?
Candidates are eligible for this initiative if they meet the following requirements by the MSCA-PF submission deadline (September 09, 2026):
- POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (Candidate): Candidates must hold a PhD and have no more than 8 years of full-time research experience since obtaining their degree. For details on calculating research experience, see Guidelines on calculation of 8-year research experience.
- SUPERVISOR: Candidates must secure a commitment from a Principal Investigator at UPO to act as their Supervisor. A list of researchers currently seeking candidates is provided below; however, any eligible UPO researcher may supervise your application, regardless of whether they appear on this list.
- HOST INSTITUTION: Candidates must formally confirm the Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) as their Host Institution where the research project will be implemented.
- MOBILITY RULE: Candidates must comply with the MSCA-PF mobility rule. Specifically, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain (for MSCA-PF-European) or in the host country for the Outgoing Phase (for MSCA-PF-Global) for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
- NATIONALITY of the candidate:
- For MSCA-PF-European: Candidates from any nationality can apply.
- For MSCA-PF-Global: Only nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or HE Associated Countries can apply to this modality.
- RESTRICTION: Proposals previously submitted with UPO as the HI are only eligible for resubmission if they achieved a score of 70% or higher in the preceding call.
We will be happy to support highly qualified candidates interested in any area of our research and eligible for MSCA funding (MSCA-PF elegibility conditions). Applicants are expected to submit a proposal with great potential to succeed and to be willing to collaborate and work on improving their drafts.
HOW TO APPLY TO THE UPO's INITIATIVE?
Please refer to the following document, which contains a list of Principal Investigators at the UPO:
NOTE: This list compiles the interest of UPO Principal Investigators who have expressed their willingness to receive offers to participate as Supervisors in MSCA-PF proposals.
Once the candidate has contacted and obtained the supervisor’s acceptance to support their application, and wishes to benefit from our Initiative, we invite them to submit the Expression of Interest by May 11th, 2025, at the latest.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI):
In order to express your intention to apply for the Initiative, the candidate needs to prepare the following documentation (1) and complete the information required (2):
(1) >> Supervisor's acceptance letter.
(2) >> Online application form / Candidate's information.
NOTE: The call to admit and connect potential MSCA-PF candidates with supervisors will remain open until June 30, after the EoI deadline. However, candidates will no longer benefit from the Initiative but will have the support of the EU R&D project office at UPO.
MSCA-PF 2025 - Procedure and the Proposal Support Programme
HOW DOES THE INITIATIVE WORK?
A) Firstly, uploaded documents and information will be thoroughly revised to ensure they have been completed accurately. This includes both the Supervisor's Acceptance Letter and the Online Application Form.
B) In the second step, to verify the candidate's eligibility, evidence and/or supporting documents will be required, such as:
- A digital copy of your PhD title (maximum 8 years of experience in research)
- Certificate of employment/residence, etc. (to comply with the Mobility rule)
- Certificate of marriage or equivalent (for the top-up allowance), etc.
Once points A) and B) are fulfilled, the proposal support programme will commence according to the established schedule (see pictures above).
1) Part B1 - Section: 1.Excellence (deadline: Jun, 01) - [Candidate with the support of the Supervisor(s)]
This is the most important section of the proposal, accounting for 50% of the overall evaluation. Therefore, take the time to complete it carefully, consult with your supervisor(s), and follow the tips and advice provided by the EU R&D Project Office.
Please make sure this section is fully completed before submitting it to proyectosEU_OTRI@upo.es. After submission, you will receive feedback with suggestions and tips to help you improve this part of your proposal.
2) Part B1 - Sections: 2. Impact + Section: 3. Implementation (deadline: Jun, 12) - [Candidate with the support of the Supervisor(s)]
Follow the same procedure as in the previous step 1). You need to send both sections of Part B1 — Sections 2 and 3 — to proyectosEU_OTRI@upo.es. Afterward, you will receive further feedback on these sections.
3) Part B1 + Part B2 - Final Draft (deadline: Jun, 26) - [Candidate with the support of the Supervisor(s)]
Part B1 should now be completed and revised. It is time to make the necessary adjustments to refine the proposal as much as possible and send it back to proyectosEU_OTRI@upo.es along with Part B2.
Upon completion of step 3), and with a consolidated draft of the proposal, you will receive a final review.
4) The possibility of a proposal final draft review by a consulting firm (deadline: Jun, 30) - [Supervisor at UPO]
The main objective of the Initiative is to have a proposal draft ready by July and refine it with the Supervisor(s) and other colleagues during August and the first days of September.
Additionally, there is the possibility of external supervision by an expert consultancy firm. This matter should be discussed with your Supervisor.
Through an internal call, the Supervisor has the opportunity to request internal funding from the University for a specialized consultancy firm to review the final draft of the proposal resulting from your participation in the Initiative.
Therefore, only candidates who have successfully completed the proposal support programme of the Initiative are eligible to apply.
