HFSP
Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships
Full Proposal deadline (by invitation only); LOI deadline was May 12, 2026 at 09:00 Eastern US Time. LOI outcome notifications mid-August to end of August 2026.
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The HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship funds postdoctoral researchers with PhDs in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or computer science to transition into life-sciences research over three years. Applicants must move to a different country and have conferred their doctorate after September 2023, with no more than 12 months prior residence in the host country. This is a selective, two-stage programme designed to build a pipeline of quantitative scientists into biology.
Details
| Funder | HFSP |
| Deadline | 24 September 2026 |
| Duration | 3 years (36 months) |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | 2-stage: Letter of Intent (May 2026) → Full Proposal (24 September 2026, invited applicants only) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
Eligibility & scope
For postdoctoral researchers holding a doctoral degree from a non-biological discipline (physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer sciences) with no or little life sciences experience, moving to a new country. PhD must be conferred after 24 Sep 2023. Applicants must change country, cannot work in country of nationality or PhD country. 100% FTE commitment required. At least one lead-author publication required.
Who Should Apply
- •Postdoctoral researchers with PhD conferred after 24 September 2023
- •Doctorate holders in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or computer science with minimal life-sciences background
- •Researchers willing and able to relocate to a different country (not their country of nationality or PhD institution location)
- •Applicants planning full-time (100% FTE) engagement in a life-sciences research environment
Key Dates
- •Letter of Intent deadline: 12 May 2026 (passed); Full Proposal deadline by invitation: 24 September 2026 at 09:00 Eastern US Time
- •Two-stage process: LOI screening, then full proposal submission by invited applicants only
- •Three-year fellowship duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The LOI stage is gatekeeping, clarity on your specific transition goal and host lab fit matters more than preliminary data.
- ✓The 12-month residency rule is strict: if you have spent more than 12 months in the host country in the past, you are ineligible regardless of PhD location.
- ✓Host institution must be non-profit; check the HFSP-eligible organisation list before proposing a host lab.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship?
Three years (36 months) of postdoctoral support.
Who is eligible for the HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship?
Postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in a non-biological discipline (physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) conferred after 24 September 2023, transitioning into life sciences.
Do I have to move countries for the HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship?
Yes, you must conduct your fellowship in a country different from your nationality and PhD institution, and you cannot have spent more than 12 months in the host country previously.
What is the HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship application process?
Two-stage: Letter of Intent (LOI) submission by 12 May 2026, followed by full proposal submission by invitation only by 24 September 2026.
Can I do the HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship at a for-profit institution?
No, host institutions must be non-profit research organisations.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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