AToUT Program University of Toulouse: 44 Postdoctoral Fellowships in France (2025–2028)

The AToUT Program University of Toulouse 44 postdoctoral fellowships in France is a structured route into high-impact research at one of France’s strongest multi-institution ecosystems. Run by University of Toulouse and embedded in TIRIS (Toulouse Initiative for Research Impact on Society), the programme supports two-year, full-time postdoctoral contracts designed for internationally mobile researchers working on health, society, and sustainability transitions.

In this guide, you will learn what AToUT funds, who is eligible, how selection works, and how to build an application that reads like a clear, fundable plan—without wasting weeks on avoidable mistakes.

What is the AToUT postdoctoral fellowship programme?

AToUT (Attractiveness of Toulouse University for Transitions) is a postdoctoral fellowship scheme offering 44 fellowships across three calls (2025–2028). The current call is open until 28 February 2026.

Importantly, AToUT is co-funded under Horizon Europe via Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND (Grant Agreement No. 101216810). As a result, the programme follows MSCA-style expectations around mobility, training, and transparent evaluation.

Why this call is attracting global postdoc talent

Unlike many “postdoc openings” that depend on a single PI’s grant, AToUT is designed as a cohort-based programme. Therefore, it combines salary support, training, mentoring, and structured selection in a single pathway.

Why AToUT matters: key benefits for postdocs

AToUT is built for researchers who want more than a lab bench and a publication target. Instead, it is structured around career acceleration.

1) Two-year employment contract in France

Selected fellows receive a 24-month, full-time employment contract in France, with social security coverage. That employment model can be a practical advantage if you want stable payroll, formal benefits, and a clear contract period.

2) MSCA-aligned training and career development

The programme emphasises a Career Development Plan, mentoring, and training in open science, research integrity, project management, communication, and innovation. Consequently, AToUT can strengthen your long-term profile for faculty recruitment, industry R&D, or future MSCA-style grants.

3) A large host ecosystem in Toulouse

AToUT highlights an ecosystem of 140+ research units and encourages applicants to identify a relevant host unit within that network. This matters because interdisciplinary proposals often fail when the host environment looks thin or misaligned.

Eligibility: who should apply?

AToUT eligibility is straightforward, but you must respect the details.

Core eligibility rules

Applicants must:

• • Hold a PhD by the deadline (28 February 2026).

  • Meet the MSCA mobility rule: you must not have lived or worked in France for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the deadline.

  • Not hold a permanent position at the intended host institution.

  • Submit a full-time project that is not already funded by the EU.

Language expectations

The application process runs in English, and the applicant guidance notes a B2 level in English or French (with training support if needed).

A practical note for international and Indian applicants

For many India-based applicants, the mobility rule is usually easy to satisfy. However, you still need to document mobility clearly and avoid ambiguous timelines. In addition, you should plan early for host engagement, as busy labs rarely build strong supervision plans in the final week.

Key features, funding, and what “44 fellowships” means in practice

AToUT offers 44 fellowships of 24 months across three calls. For the first call, the guidance indicates up to 15 positions will be awarded, with start dates in September–December 2026.

Financial support and research/training budget

The programme guidance lists MSCA-style monthly amounts, including:

• • Living allowance: €5,200/month

  • Mobility allowance: €350/month

  • Family allowance (if applicable): €350/month

  • Research, training, and mobility costs: €1,250/month

It also notes a minimum gross salary of €3,800, and clarifies that allowances form part of the overall salary package rather than being “extra” on top. Because taxes and payroll deductions vary, focus on what you can control: the project quality, fit, and evaluation readiness.

Step-by-step: how to apply for the AToUT postdoc in Toulouse

AToUT applications must be submitted via the programme’s online platform, and late or incomplete files are not considered.

Step 1: Map your idea to the programme themes

Your project must align with one of AToUT’s strategic areas:

• • Health and well-being

  • Global changes and their impact on society

  • Sustainable transitions

Then, anchor it within one disciplinary cluster (for example BABS, MST2I, SDM, UPEE, and others).

Step 2: Identify a host unit and supervision setup

You must identify at least one eligible host research unit. A supervisor is strongly recommended, and in practice it improves proposal credibility. Reviewers will notice if the host plan is generic.

Step 3: Prepare the required documents

Typical requirements include:

• • Online application form

  • CV and motivation letter

  • Research proposal (objectives, methodology, feasibility, impact)

  • Proof of PhD by the deadline

  • Host and supervision details

  • Ethics self-assessment and approvals where needed

Step 4: Submit early and keep evidence

Since eligibility checks include completeness, ethics, and integrity screening, submit before the final days. Also, keep a PDF copy of your final submission for interview preparation.

Selection process: how reviewers score AToUT proposals

AToUT uses a staged process that mirrors MSCA logic.

Stage 1: Eligibility and ethics screening

The programme team checks completeness, compliance, and ethical issues after call closure.

Stage 2: External peer review and ranking

Each eligible application is reviewed by two international independent experts, and applications are ranked by a selection committee. The scoring typically follows MSCA-aligned weights: Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), and Implementation/Feasibility (20%).

Stage 3: Interview

Shortlisted candidates interview online with a 10-minute presentation and a 15-minute discussion. Therefore, you must design your written proposal so it converts cleanly into a short talk.

Official timeline for the current call

The published schedule includes: call opens 3 November 2025, closes 28 February 2026, eligibility results 13 March 2026, scientific pre-selection 22 May 2026, interviews 15–17 June 2026, and final notification 1 July 2026.

Tips, common mistakes, and expert advice

What strong AToUT applications do differently

• • Write for interdisciplinary reviewers. Define terms, but keep the science sharp.

  • Show credible feasibility. Add milestones, risks, and fallback options.

  • Prove host readiness. Mention facilities, datasets, cohorts, partners, or methods the host already runs.

  • Make impact concrete. Link outputs to people, policy, industry, or clinical practice—without hype.

Common mistakes that silently kill applications

• • Mobility rule errors. Applicants often miscount “months in France.” Be precise and conservative.

  • A generic motivation letter. Reviewers want a “why Toulouse, why now” narrative.

  • Weak ethics handling. If you use human data, animals, or sensitive datasets, address compliance early.

  • Overpromised deliverables. Ambition helps, but only if the plan matches 24 months.

A short scenario: positioning as an Indian applicant

Imagine you work in computational health or sustainable materials in India. First, choose one AToUT pillar and build a tight hypothesis. Next, find a Toulouse host with a method you cannot access locally (specific infrastructure, cohort access, or industrial partners). Finally, design a two-year plan that outputs at least one strong paper, one transferable asset (code, dataset, protocol), and one public-facing impact activity.

Final thoughts

If you want a structured postdoctoral pathway in Toulouse that rewards interdisciplinary research and international mobility, AToUT deserves serious attention. The programme combines a clear 24-month contract, MSCA-aligned evaluation, and a large host ecosystem that can support ambitious work. At the same time, competition will favour applicants who plan early, choose a strong host fit, and write for both scientific depth and cross-disciplinary clarity.

Next steps are simple. Review the official programme guidelines, shortlist two host labs, and start drafting your proposal weeks—not days—before the deadline. Finally, bookmark the official page and monitor updates through the application portal.

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