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InterACT: International postdoctoral fellowships build bridges between science and policy
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 Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The initiative is managed by the European Research and Innovation Support (ERIS) team of the Vice Rectorate Innovation and Valorization. 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.
Contact
More information on eligibility criteria, funding conditions, and the application process will be disclosed soon. In the meantime, you can contact Alessandra Rossetti (Alessandra.rossetti@vub.be) for more information.
About Vice-Rectorate Innovation & Industry Relations, VUB
The mission of the Vice-Rectorate Innovation & Industry Relations of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is to create a positive impact on society through the valorization of scientific research. Its operational and multidisciplinary team, VUB TechTransfer, aims to connect the university’s innovative research expertise with society and industry, together with its partners VUB Foundation, the philanthropic fundraising team, and Crosstalks, the interdisciplinary networking platform.
https://www.vub.be/en/innovating-together-for-better-world-vub/innovation-vub
About VUB
Vrije Universiteit Brussel is an internationally oriented university in Brussels, the heart of Europe. By providing excellent research and education on a human scale, VUB wants to make an active and committed contribution to a better society.
EU funding acknowledgment
This project is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 101260463.
Koen Stein
