The Euraxess short contract program

Building on the experience gained in the BRiDGE II project under the Horizon 2020 Framework Program, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” (SU) is launching the EURAXESS Short Contract Program for refugee and displaced researchers in Europe, integrated into the ERA Talent project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Framework Program.

This program is initiated and piloted in partnership with three renowned European institutions

l'Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea (APRE) in Italy;
the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) in Greece;
and France Universités (CPU) in France.

Objective and expected impact

The main aim of this program is to promote the integration of refugee and displaced researchers into the European labor market, with a focus on cross-sector mobility.
- Between 25 and 35 researchers are expected to benefit from the program, which offers paid short contract in industrial and public organizations across Europe.
Particular attention is paid to gender equality in this program, with a strict policy whereby 50% of reimbursements will go to female researchers. This measure aims to encourage the equitable participation of researchers of all genders and to promote diversity in European research.

Financial support:

With a budget of EUR 200,000 as part of the ERA Talent project, this program offers reimbursements to researchers for contracts ranging from 1 to 6 months, on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the needs of the host organization.

Attention

Reimbursement will be based on the average monthly wage in the country concerned for the month preceding the start of the contract.
Reimbursement will not depend on the remuneration awarded to the researcher by the host organization.

Having identified a suitable candidate for a specific position in a host organization, Sofia University, as program coordinator, will enter into a tripartite contract with the researcher and the host organization. On the basis of this legal framework, it will then start paying monthly reimbursements to the organization.

Eligibility criteria Researchers and Companies

Eligibility criteria for exile researchers

Any displaced researcher is eligible if:

is based in an EU member state or associated country;
has legal status in the host country;
is a PhD candidate or PhD holder.

Application evaluation criteria Apply as a researcher

Organization eligibility criteria

Any company, startup, SME or NGO is eligible if:

is based in an EU member state or associated country;
legally operates in the country;
and has published its job offer on the EURAXESS job portal.

The host organization decides on the level of remuneration for the internship/contract. This will not affect the reimbursement the researcher will receive under the EURAXESS internship program. More details are available in the Financial support section.

Everything hosting organizations need to know Apply as a host organization

ABG commits to supporting and accompanying researchers in exile

The Association Bernard Gregory (ABG), accredited as a Euraxess Career Development Center since 2017, is actively committed to supporting and accompanying refugee and exile researchers. As part of its leading partnership with the PAUSE program, supported by the French Ministry of Education and Research, ABG plays a key role in facilitating the professional integration of refugee researchers in France, notably through a training and coaching program and the organization of network events. The aim is to strengthen the integration process for these researchers by enabling them to explore the socio-economic sector, discover professions and familiarize themselves with corporate codes.

This EURAXESS internship program, also supported by the ABG, represents a concrete step towards integrating and valorizing the skills of refugee and relocated researchers in Europe, while strengthening international collaboration and promoting excellence in European research.