Human Frontier Science Program
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship
3-year fellowship for postdocs pursuing bold interdisciplinary life-science research with international mobility.
About the HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship
The HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship supports exceptional postdoctoral researchers pursuing bold, interdisciplinary research in the life sciences. Two tracks: Long-Term Fellowships (for life scientists in host labs outside the life sciences, e.g., physics, chemistry, engineering) and Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (for non-life-scientists moving into life-science labs). Funding is 3 years, with a generous stipend (~US$65K+ depending on country), research allowance, travel, and family allowances. Eligibility: PhD within the last 3 years at the call deadline, with host labs in any HFSP member country (most OECD countries plus India, Singapore, etc.) and the host country differing from both the PhD and nationality country. HFSP is unusually international — applicants and hosts can be anywhere in the HFSP network. Highly selective, with emphasis on interdisciplinarity and intellectual ambition beyond the applicant's previous training.
Key facts
- Tracks
- Long-Term / Cross-Disciplinary
- Duration
- 3 years
- Mobility
- Out of both PhD and nationality country
- Key criterion
- Genuine interdisciplinarity
- Success rate
- ~10–15%
Who is eligible?
- •PhD awarded within the last 3 years at the call deadline
- •Host lab must be in an HFSP member country different from PhD country AND nationality country
- •Research must be interdisciplinary (crossing life-science / physical-science boundary)
- •Strong track record demonstrating scientific ambition and rigour
Frequently asked questions
+What is the difference between HFSP Long-Term and Cross-Disciplinary?
Long-Term is for life-science PhDs moving to a physical-science/engineering lab. Cross-Disciplinary is for physical-science/math/engineering PhDs moving to a life-science lab. Both require genuine crossing of disciplinary boundaries.
+Can I do an HFSP Fellowship in my home country?
No. HFSP's mobility rule is among the strictest of any fellowship: your host country must differ from both your PhD country and your nationality country. This makes it one of the most internationally mobile schemes.
+How selective is HFSP compared to EMBO or MSCA?
HFSP is generally considered the most selective of the three globally, with success rates around 10–15%. The interdisciplinary requirement and strict mobility rule narrow the eligible pool significantly.
+Can HFSP fellowship be taken to a non-academic host?
Academic and non-profit research institutions are the standard hosts. Some industrial research labs can qualify if they meet HFSP's criteria for open publication and independent research — check with HFSP before applying.
Related programmes
European Molecular Biology Organization
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship
2-year fellowship for postdocs in the life sciences moving internationally to conduct research in Europe.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship
Monthly stipend of €5,080+ for 12–36 months of international mobility for postdoctoral researchers.
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