The European Space Agency offers annual fellowship opportunities to support early career scientists from ESA Member States who would like to conduct research in space science. The fellowships are for two years, with a possible third year extension, and can be held in either of the ESA research centres of ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology Centre) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, ESAC (European Space Astronomy Centre) in Villafranca del Castillo near Madrid, Spain or the ESA office at Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Approximately 8-10 ESA Fellowships are offered, joining the pool of about 25 Research Fellows. Typical net monthly remuneration varies between circa €3,200 and €4,100 depending on the local purchasing power at duty station (ESAC or ESTEC) and years of experience after the PhD.

Applications are invited from citizens of one of the ESA Member States (currently Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) or a citizen of one of the co-operating states (Canada, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia).

The programme is open to applicants with the means to perform research in space science, who have completed their PhD (or equivalent) or will have completed it by the start of the fellowship. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD.