The Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships are now open for the 2026-2027 school year. These fully funded HFSP fellowships give early career scientists the chance to do research abroad in the life sciences. Fellows get a living allowance, research and travel support and may also get child parental leave or moving allowances. HFSP encourages bold cross field projects that use new methods to solve important science problems. The program helps researchers grow their skills by moving into new study areas in a different country.
Types:
- Long-Term Fellowship (LTF): For PhDs in biology moving into new life science areas
- Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (CDF): For PhDs in physics, chemistry, math, engineering, or computer science entering life sciences
Also See: Monash University Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded | Australia
Quick Details About HFSP Fellowship
| Host Country | Any (over 60 countries) |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Any top lab |
| Degree Level | Postdoc |
| Eligible For | International PhD in science |
| Benefits | Fully Funded |
| Number of Awards | About 60 every year |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Application Fee | Free |
| Deadline | 15 May 2026 (letter) |
| Official Website | www.hfsp.org |
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship Overview 2026-2027
The Human Frontier Science Program Fellowship started to help young scientists do bold research in life sciences. It wants projects that mix different fields like biology with physics or chemistry. You work at top labs in countries like Australia, USA, France or Japan. The program picks people who take risks and try new ideas. You can do Long-Term Fellowship if you have a biology PhD or Cross-Disciplinary if from physics, math or engineering. The fellowship makes sure you learn new skills and make big discoveries. Many winners become famous scientists. It is for people who want to solve hard problems in science.
Scholarship Benefits
The HFSP fellowship helps you live and work. It includes:
- A monthly living allowance.
- Research and travel funds.
Depending on your situation, you might also get extra support for:
- Child allowance
- Parental leave allowance
- Relocation allowance (to help you move to your new country)
See Also: Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 2026 For Internationals
Eligibility Requirements for 2026 Intake
You can apply if you meet all of these rules:
The Main Criteria:
- You must plan to do your fellowship in a different country from where you got your PhD or did your first postdoc.
- If your host lab is in an international institution (like EMBL, ICPT, or ICGEB), the country where that lab is located will count as the host country.
Your Qualifications:
- You must have a PhD (or a similar doctoral degree) by the time the fellowship starts. You do not need the degree in hand when you apply.
- You must have at least one research paper where you are the lead author (first author, or shared first author).
- The paper must be accepted, in press, published, or posted on a recognized preprint server.
- Only full research articles in English are accepted. Review papers and patents do not count.
- The working language is English.
Application Must-Do:
- You must upload electronic copies of your lead-author paper(s) while you are filling out the online application.
- You cannot add them later after you submit your application.
List of Host Countries
- Portugal
- Japan
- Sweden
- India
- Luxembourg
- Canada
- Slovenia
- Germany
- Cyprus (EU part)
- United States of America
- Romania
- Belgium
- Latvia
- Australia
- Hungary
- Singapore
- France
- Croatia
- New Zealand
- Israel
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Malta
- Austria
- Denmark
- Republic of Korea
- Poland
- Estonia
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- Lithuania
- Slovakia
- Finland
- Czech Republic
- Greece
- Republic of Ireland
- Netherlands
- Bulgaria
HFSP Fellowship 2026 Application Deadline
Letter of intent by May 15 2026. Full app by September 25, 2026 if invited. Portal opens in April 2026.
Also See: Harvard University Scholarship 2026
Required Documents
- Online form with your details.
- CV with your education and papers.
- Research plan (short for letter, full for app).
- Two recommendation letters from scientists.
- List of your published papers.
- Proof of PhD degree.
All in English.
How to Apply For HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Make account on HFSP website when it opens in April. This lets you start letter.
- Write short summary of your project with title and keywords. This is first check.
- Add your CV, PhD info and host lab details. This shows your fit.
- Send letter of intent by May 15. The team reviews fast.
- If invited, write full research plan with methods and goals. This is main part.
- Get recommendation letters from your referees. They send direct.
- Send full app by September 25. Winners told in March 2027.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Acceptance
- Choose project that mixes fields like biology and physics.
- Find host lab that fits your new idea.
- Write clear plan with why it is important.
- Get recommendation from famous scientists.
- Show your one main paper is strong.
- Apply only if ready to move.
Official Website
For more details and deadlines visit the official Human Frontier Science Program Fellowship website.