HFSP
Postdoctoral Fellowships
2027 cycle application guidelines available; LOI and full proposal instructions published on proposalcentral.com
Last updated:
No deadline is on file for this call. Check HFSP's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships fund early-career researchers to pursue two to three years of independent postdoctoral research in an HFSPO member country, offered through two tracks: Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) for single-lab placements and Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) for collaborative, multi-institution projects. Applicants must not have previously worked or studied in the proposed host country or with the host supervisor, ensuring genuine international mobility. Eligibility is restricted to basic biological research; clinical, pharmaceutical, applied engineering, and agricultural projects are not supported.
Details
| Funder | HFSP |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | 2-stage: Letter of Intent → Full Proposal |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
Eligibility & scope
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships (Long-Term and Cross-Disciplinary) support early-career researchers to pursue frontier research in the life sciences at a host institution abroad. Applicants must hold a PhD and move to a new country/lab. Open to researchers from HFSP member countries.
Who Should Apply
- •Postdoctoral researchers (typically within 3-5 years of PhD)
- •Applicants planning to work in an HFSPO member country (not where they previously studied or worked)
- •Researchers committed to basic biological research outside clinical or applied domains
- •Candidates seeking cross-disciplinary collaboration (especially suited to the CDF track)
- •Scientists establishing research independence distinct from their PhD training
Key Dates
- •One application round per year; verify exact deadline in current application guidelines
- •Two-stage process: Letter of Intent followed by full proposal evaluation and interview
- •Fellowship duration typically 2-3 years
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Mobility is a gating criterion, clearly document why the host country and supervisor are new to you; reviewers actively screen for this.
- ✓If applying to the Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship track, emphasise the scientific integration across disciplines, not just the participation of collaborators.
- ✓Frame your project as hypothesis-driven basic research; HFSP rejects applications framed primarily as clinical translation, drug development, or applied outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an HFSP postdoctoral fellowship?
Fellowships typically last 2 to 3 years, depending on the research plan and host institution arrangements.
Can I apply for an HFSP fellowship if I have already worked with my proposed supervisor?
No; HFSP requires that applicants have not previously worked or studied with the host supervisor or in the proposed host country.
What is the difference between LTF and CDF in HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) support single-lab postdoctoral positions, while Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) require collaboration across multiple institutions and research disciplines.
Are clinical or applied projects eligible for HFSP postdoctoral fellowships?
No; HFSP funds only basic biological research and excludes primarily clinical, pharmaceutical, applied engineering, and agricultural projects.
Where can I undertake an HFSP postdoctoral fellowship?
Fellowships must be undertaken in an HFSPO member country (a list is available on the HFSP website), and in a country where you have not previously studied or worked.
Related on Grantsby
- HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship, full programme guide
Eligibility, budget, success rates, application timeline, FAQ.
- HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship past winners & funded projects
Recent recipients, host institutions, and funded project titles. See who tends to win before you apply.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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