Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) will launch the InterACT COFUND postdoctoral fellowship programme in September 2026, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions. The initiative is managed by the European Research and Innovation Support (ERIS) team of the Vice Rectorate Innovation and Industry Relations. Over a period of five years, the postdoctoral programme will recruit 14 international researchers through two competitive calls.
In today’s world of geopolitical tensions and complex global challenges, scientific innovation increasingly depends on collaboration that crosses disciplinary, sectoral, and national boundaries. Yet research too often remains in silo’s, limiting its potential to inform policy and deliver broader societal impact. Postdoctoral researchers play a central role in generating knowledge that supports public decision-making, but they are rarely supported in working across disciplines or engaging directly with policy actors. Strengthening the science-policy interface and equipping researchers with the skills to translate research into actionable insights are therefore essential to advancing evidence-based policymaking in Europe and beyond.
To meet these challenges, VUB is establishing InterAct, an international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral postdoctoral research and training programme, designed to equip researchers in translating scientific excellence into meaningful societal and policy-relevant impact.
The first call, opening in September 2026, will select seven postdoctoral researchers for a three-year fellowship, with a strong focus on societal impact and active engagement with stakeholders across disciplines and sectors. Applications from all fields of science are welcome.
