IRB Barcelona is an independent, non-profit research institution engaged in basic and applied biomedical science at the interface between biology, chemistry and medicine. One of the main missions of IRB Barcelona is to provide young life scientists with the opportunity to do training and research in a unique and multidisciplinary scientific environment. The Institute has a young but well-established international PhD fellowship programme. After having consolidated our PhD Programme and achieved excellent results, our aim now is to draw on the strength of this example and enhance structures and resources for researchers at the next stage of their careers. Our goal is to offer postdoctoral fellows an optimal scientific environment at this critical time in their career and to prepare them on their journey to take up positions as independent scientists. With this objective, the contribution from the COFUND action will create a new fellowship programme for postdoctoral fellows. The IRB Barcelona International Postdoctoral Programme will offer 8 two-year competitive fellowships in the first call (2010-2011) and 10 two-year fellowship in the second call (2011-2012), based on the Incoming mobility trans-national element. The programme aims to highlight the attractiveness of our Institute to high-talented scientists, increasing European-wide mobility possibilities for training and career development of experienced researchers. Fellows will be selected through an international committee of experts, ensuring transparency and equal treatment of all applications. The programme will be promoted internationally. Applicants will receive support throughout the selection process and awardees will be helped and mentored for the duration of the fellowship period. Postdoctoral fellows under the COFUND contribution can carry out their research projects in any of IRB Barcelona’s research programmes, and they will work on a research project of their choice. The programme will make significant contributions to the development of highly talented scientists' career and to the biomedical sciences in general.