Global Fellowships support an outgoing research phase of 12–24 months in a non-associated Third Country, followed by a mandatory 12-month return phase in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
Within this structure, Otago participates as an Outgoing Phase Host (Associated Partner), contributing to high-quality supervision, training, and collaborative research during the international mobility period in Aotearoa New Zealand.
OUR ROLE IN MSCA GLOBAL FELLOWSHIPS
- Provide co-supervision during the outgoing phase in New Zealand
- Contribute to project development and refinement, particularly where Otago offers distinctive expertise
- Support delivery of a high-quality training and research environment
- Enable knowledge exchange and international collaboration
Proposals are submitted by the fellow together with a host institution in Europe (the beneficiary). In this context, Otago researchers act as partner supervisors, contributing to both the scientific and training dimensions of the outgoing phase.
RESEARCH STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Applicants are encouraged to align projects with Otago’s strengths, including:
- Health and Biomedical Sciences – clinical research, public health, neuroscience, and Māori health
- Sciences and Data-intensive Research – AI, climate science, genomics, energy systems
- Humanities and Social Sciences – policy, global development, culture and society
- Māori and Indigenous Research Excellence, grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles
Otago offers distinctive research advantages, including:
- Access to well-characterised population and longitudinal datasets
- Integrated health and translational research environments
- Strong partnerships with government, health systems, iwi, and communities
WHY INCLUDE OTAGO IN YOUR MSCA GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP
- Access to globally recognised expertise and supervision
- Opportunities for high-impact, internationally relevant research
- Exposure to a unique Aotearoa New Zealand research context
- Leadership in Indigenous and equity-focused research approaches
- Strong culture of international collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement
Otago provides a globally distinctive outgoing phase environment, particularly for projects requiring access to unique population health data, Indigenous research expertise, or Southern Hemisphere research contexts not available in Europe.
HOW TO ENGAGE WITH OTAGO
Prospective applicants should:
- Identify and contact a potential Otago-based supervisor aligned with their research area
- Engage jointly with:
- A European host institution (beneficiary)
- An Otago outgoing phase supervisor (associated partner)
- Develop a proposal that clearly demonstrates:
- The added value of the outgoing phase in New Zealand
- A strong inter-institutional collaboration and training plan
JOIN US
At the University of Otago, you will engage with a globally connected research community committed to excellence, collaboration, and real-world impact. We welcome partnerships that strengthen international mobility, knowledge exchange, and research innovation through the MSCA Global Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme.
