Sustain-FIT
Sustain-FIT is an innovative career development programme that enables talented, international researchers to work on industrially focused sustainability research projects. Through Sustain-FIT, host research organisations recruit and employ the postdoctoral researcher – a Sustain-FIT Fellow – who undertakes a 36-month applied research programme, including a 6–12 month secondment in an Irish company.
Call 2 of the Sustain- FIT programme is currently open. The project formation phase runs until Thursday 30th April 2026, with the application portal (submit.com) open from 1st - 29th May 2026.
Funded by Enterprise Ireland and the EU’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the programme strengthens Ireland’s research excellence and helps companies accelerate their sustainability ambitions.
Following a competitive application process, 25 fellowships were granted under Call 1, with a further 25 to be awarded under Call 2. Sustain-FIT supports applied research to help solve real-world sustainability challenges aligned with the EU Green Deal. Strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration between academic and industry, Sustain-FIT projects deliver measurable impact while supporting career development for the researcher.
Benefits of the Sustain-FIT programme
Benefits of the Sustain-FIT programme to participating companies are wide-ranging, strengthening their competitive advantage in an economic environment increasingly concerned with sustainable practices. Not only does Sustain-FIT provide access to high-calibre international research talent, but it also enables companies to explore new ideas, technologies and processes with structured support and reduced risk. Sustain-FIT also presents a practical approach to problem-solving, with research projects tailored to specific company needs.
The Host Organisations (HEIs and RPOs) also stand to gain from this innovative programme. Sustain-FIT enables Host Organisations to build strategic partnerships with Irish industry while delivering cutting-edge sustainability research aligned with global priorities. This enhances their reputation on an international stage, helping to attract competitive EU-level funding to support research teams.
Central to the Sustain-FIT programme is the international postdoctoral researcher. The interdisciplinary training and industry secondment undertaken as part of the programme provide Sustain-FIT Fellows with a holistic research experience, allowing them to see first-hand the real-world impact of their efforts in working towards a more sustainable future.
Integrating leading experts into the Irish research ecosystem, Sustain-FIT will position Ireland as a hub for industrially focused sustainability research while contributing to global climate solutions and addressing the European Green Deal strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050.
The project formation phase is open until 30th April 2026, during which time prospective parties are encouraged to identify suitable projects and partners. The application portal (submit.com) will be open from 1st and 29th May 2026, and applications are to be submitted by the international applicant.
For more information on the Sustain-FIT programme, visit Sustain-FIT | Horizon Europe, or get in touch via email at [email protected].