If you’re planning to pursue postdoctoral research abroad, the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 present an incredible opportunity. This article provides a full breakdown of the fellowship — its benefits, eligibility requirements, and a complete guide on how to apply.
The HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–2027 are fully funded awards open to international researchers eager to undertake frontier-level projects in the life sciences. Fellows receive a living allowance, along with research and travel funding. Depending on personal circumstances, recipients may also qualify for childcare, parental leave, and relocation allowances.
HFSP encourages transformative and interdisciplinary scientific research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. The program welcomes high-risk, high-reward proposals that challenge traditional approaches by using innovative concepts and methods. Above all, it supports scientists looking to explore new research fields in a global setting.
Two types of fellowships are offered under this program:
- Long-Term Fellowships (LTF): For applicants with a PhD in a biological field who intend to expand their knowledge by exploring a project distinct from their prior PhD or postdoctoral research.
- Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF): For applicants with PhDs in non-biological disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or computer science who wish to transition into life-science research.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Postdoctoral
- Institution: Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)
- Study Location: Multiple eligible host countries (listed below)
- Research Fields: Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Sciences
- Deadlines:
- Letter of Intent (LOI) initiation: May 7, 2026 (1 PM Eastern Time, US)
- LOI submission: May 15, 2026 (1 PM Eastern Time, US)
- Notification of LOI results: Between mid- and late August 2026
- Full proposal submission (for selected applicants): September 25, 2026 (1 PM Eastern Time, US) via ProposalCentral
- Registration portal opens in April 2026.
Host Countries
Eligible host nations include:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus (EU part), the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Scholarship Coverage
The HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship offers comprehensive financial support, including:
- Living allowance
- Research and travel allowance
- Additional benefits such as relocation, parental leave, and child support (depending on circumstances)
Eligibility Criteria for HFSP Fellowships
To be considered for the HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Language: Proficiency in English.
- Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all nationalities.
- Mobility Requirement: Applicants must undertake research in a country different from where they completed their PhD or first postdoctoral studies.
- For international or extraterritorial institutions (e.g., EMBL, ICPT, ICGEB), the country where the lab is physically located will count as the host nation.
- Academic Qualification: Must hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research degree by the start of the fellowship.
- Publications: Applicants must have at least one lead-author, full-length research paper published, accepted, or in press in a peer-reviewed international journal or on a recognized preprint server.
- Only English-language research papers are accepted.
- Review articles and patents do not count.
- Electronic copies of these publications must be uploaded during the application process.
How to Apply for the HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships
Step 1: Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) — Deadline: May 7, 2026
Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (clicking here) including:
- Title and keywords of the proposed research
- A short summary of the research plan (used later as the project abstract)
- Personal details and CV
- Field and title of PhD
- Information on the host supervisor and host institution
- Disclosure of any prior collaborations or publications with the proposed supervisor
- Confirmation of the host supervisor’s support
- Preliminary publication list (can be updated later)
The LOIs are peer-reviewed, and applicants will be informed of results as soon as possible.
Step 2: Submit a Full Application — Deadline: September 25, 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit full proposals. These should include:
- Summary of previous and proposed research work
- Abstract and detailed research plan
- Explanation of how the project is innovative and differs from prior work
- Justification for choosing the host lab and expected benefits (e.g., mentoring, infrastructure, exposure to new techniques)
- Updated publication list
- Recommendation letters:
- Two from referees
- One from the host supervisor describing the project’s novelty, its alignment with HFSP’s mission, and the lab’s mentorship plan
- PDF copies of lead-author publications
Official Website
For further details and to begin your application, visit the official HFSP Fellowship website below: