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Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Scholarship
Worldwide
On-site
Published Mar 16, 2026

Overview

Fellowship

Description

Fellowship

Eligibility

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) postdoctoral fellowships are open to highly qualified candidates who meet the following criteria:

Language proficiency: Fluency in English is required.
International research experience: You must propose research in a country different from where you obtained your Ph.D. or completed previous postdoctoral studies. For international research institutions (e.g., EMBL, ICPT, ICGEB), the country where the lab is located will be considered the host country.
Doctoral degree: A Ph.D. in a relevant field or a comparable doctoral-level research degree with equivalent basic research experience (e.g., research-based MD or medical Ph.D.) is required by the fellowship start date, but not necessarily at the application time.
Publication record: You must have at least one first-authored, full-length research publication (accepted, in press, or published) in an international peer-reviewed journal or a preprint server.
Publication language: Only English-language publications will be considered. Review articles and patents are not eligible.
Publication submission: Electronic copies of your first-authored publications must be uploaded during the application process. Uploads are not possible after submission.

Additional Information

Degree Level

Fellowship

Available Subjects

Biology
Chemistry
Engineering
Life Sciences
Mathematics
Physics

Benefits

Financial Support:

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) postdoctoral fellowships offer a comprehensive financial support package to fellows. This includes:

Living allowance: A stipend to cover your living expenses during the fellowship period.
Research and travel allowance: Funding to support your research activities and travel related to your project.

Additional allowances (if applicable): Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for:

Child allowance: To help with childcare costs.
Parental leave allowance: Financial support while on parental leave.
Relocation allowance: Assistance with covering costs associated with moving to your host lab.

Eligible Nationalities

HFSP Fellowships are open to international students of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) postdoctoral fellowships are open to highly qualified candidates who meet the following criteria:

Language proficiency: Fluency in English is required.
International research experience: You must propose research in a country different from where you obtained your Ph.D. or completed previous postdoctoral studies. For international research institutions (e.g., EMBL, ICPT, ICGEB), the country where the lab is located will be considered the host country.
Doctoral degree: A Ph.D. in a relevant field or a comparable doctoral-level research degree with equivalent basic research experience (e.g., research-based MD or medical Ph.D.) is required by the fellowship start date, but not necessarily at the application time.
Publication record: You must have at least one first-authored, full-length research publication (accepted, in press, or published) in an international peer-reviewed journal or a preprint server.
Publication language: Only English-language publications will be considered. Review articles and patents are not eligible.
Publication submission: Electronic copies of your first-authored publications must be uploaded during the application process. Uploads are not possible after submission.

Application Procedure

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) postdoctoral fellowship application follows a two-stage process:

1. Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission

Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the online portal. The LOI should include:

Proposal Title
Keywords describing your research plan
Concise Research Summary: Briefly outline your proposed research (this can be adapted for the full proposal abstract if selected).
Applicant Information: Personal details and CV.
Doctoral Background: Field and title of your Ph.D.
Host Lab Details: Information about your proposed host supervisor and institution.
Collaboration Disclosure: Disclose any previous collaborations or publications with the host supervisor. Confirm their awareness and support for your application.
Publication List: Provide a preliminary list of publications (with the option to update later).
The LOI will be peer-reviewed, and applicants will be notified of the results promptly.
2. Full Application

Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application. The full application should include:

Previous Work Summary: Briefly recap your past research (same as the LOI summary).
Research Project Abstract: Repurpose the concise LOI summary into a formal abstract.
Detailed Research Plan: Provide a comprehensive explanation of your proposed research.
Project Novelty: Explain how your project significantly deviates from your previous work and pushes the boundaries of scientific exploration (frontier nature).
Host Lab Suitability: Justify why the chosen lab is an ideal fit for your research.
Applicant Benefits: Explain how the host lab's resources (infrastructure, mentorship, new techniques) will contribute to your professional development.
Updated Publication List: Ensure your publication list is current.
Recommendation Letters: Two reference letters are required.

Host Supervisor Recommendation: The host supervisor must provide a letter outlining:

How your research aligns with a new direction for their lab and represents a significant shift from your past work.
Why their lab is well-equipped to support HFSP's mission of fostering groundbreaking research that shapes young researchers' careers.
A mentorship plan for your professional development.
Lead Author Publications: Upload PDF files of your lead-authored publications.
Note: Deadlines vary annually, visit official website for more information.
This is a remarkable opportunity for aspiring researchers to contribute to cutting-edge scientific discoveries and expand their horizons in an international research environment.

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

What is the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowship? The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early career scientists conducting innovative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research in the life sciences. The fellowship encourages researchers to work in a new country and explore frontier scientific questions that challenge existing paradigms using novel approaches and techniques.
What is the difference between HFSP Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) and Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF)? HFSP offers two types of postdoctoral fellowships. Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) are designed for applicants with a PhD in a biological field who wish to pursue advanced research in the life sciences. Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) are for researchers with doctoral degrees in non-biological disciplines—such as physics, engineering, mathematics, or computer science—who want to transition into life sciences research.
How does the HFSP fellowship application process work? The HFSP fellowship application follows a two-step process. Applicants first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is reviewed by an international selection committee. Shortlisted candidates are then invited to submit a Full Proposal. There is only one application cycle per year, and all submissions are completed online through the ProposalCentral platform.

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Funding

Fully Funded

Degree

Fellowship

Subjects

Chemistry, Life Sciences, All Subjects, Mathematics, Physics, Biology +1 More , Engineering

Nationality

International Students

Country

Worldwide

Source

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