The project "BIENVENÜE - Welcoming highly-talented international post-docs in Brittany" has been selected by the European Commission within the framework of the Marie Sklodowska Curie grants of the Horizon 2020 programme, a very selective fellowship program for young researchers.

The Breton laboratories will be able to recruit 3 groups of 25 high-level post-doctoral researchers with international profiles between now and 2025. Candidates will be selected via 3 annual calls for projects launched respectively in the first quarter of 2021, in the fall of 2021 and in 2022 to award 75 two-year fellowships.  The project aims to develop the individual careers of the recruited researchers and their expertise while consolidating the European Research Area, through strong involvement by local funders and employers, says the Region.

The project benefited from the assistance of the Platform for European Projects - 2PE and is led by the Region of Brittany, with European aid of 5.5 million euros (out of a total of 10.5 million euros). Co-financing is provided by the Region of Brittany alongside 8 Breton universities and research institutes. The project also relies on the Bretagne Développement Innovation Agency to facilitate exchanges with companies in the various research fields. 

Applicants' research projects must focus on priority themes identified for Brittany, in line with the strategic innovation areas identified in the Stratégie régionale de spécialisation intelligente (known as "S3"), which includes: maritime activities, digital technologies, the agricultural economy or social transition.

The BIENVENÜE project will be punctuated by regular meetings between young researchers and R&D and innovation players in order to exchange and promote the results of their work, encourage technology transfers and anticipate the next steps in their career paths.