HFSP Long-Term Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

HFSP Long-Term Fellowships 2026 – Fully Funded Postdoctoral Program

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is now inviting applications for its prestigious Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) for the 2026 award year. These fully funded fellowships support postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences, enabling them to undertake high-impact, interdisciplinary research at top institutions abroad.

Managed by the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO), the fellowship fosters novel, fundamental research that challenges traditional scientific boundaries.

Program Highlights

• Focus: Basic, exploratory life science research

• Duration: 3 years

• Support: Living, child, research, travel, and relocation allowances

• Mobility: Research must be conducted outside the applicant’s home country

• Innovation: Projects must differ significantly from previous PhD or postdoctoral work

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Strongly encouraged

Note: This LTF is distinct from the Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (CDF), which is for researchers with non-biological academic backgrounds.

Eligible Fields of Study

• Life Sciences

Fellowship Benefits

• Living Allowance: Varies by country (e.g., approx. $59,460/year in the USA)

• Child Allowance: 10% of living allowance per child (Year 1 only)

• Research & Travel Allowance: Up to $7,200/year (country-dependent)

• Relocation Support: Up to $4,000 for the fellow and immediate family

• Third-Year Flexibility: Return to home country or join a new lab

• No Preliminary Data Required: Apply even without experimental results

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be nationals of HFSP member countries, which include:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus (EU part only), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and more.

Applicants from non-member countries can only apply to host institutions located within HFSP member countries.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Academic Qualifications

   • PhD (or equivalent) in life sciences

   • Degree must be awarded between September 25, 2022 and September 25, 2025
     (extensions for career breaks are possible)

2. Research Project

   • Must be fundamental (non-applied) research in life sciences

   • Should differ from prior PhD/postdoctoral work

   • Projects involving drug development, diagnostics, or clinical trials are ineligible

3. Host Institution

   • Must be in a different country than the applicant’s nationality

   • Applicants must not have worked or studied in that country for more than 12 months prior to activation

   • Host supervisor must not be a past collaborator or mentor

4. Publications

   • At least one first-author research article accepted, in press, or published in a peer-reviewed journal by the full proposal deadline

How to Apply for HFSP Long-Term Fellowship 2026

Application Timeline

Application Steps

Step 1: Submit Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Deadline: May 15, 2025

• Platform: ProposalCentral.com

• Includes: Research summary, host details, CV, publication list

Step 2: Submit Full Proposal (By Invitation)

• Deadline: September 25, 2025

• Includes: Detailed research plan, recommendation letter from host, two additional references

Important: Use of AI in preparing applications must be fully disclosed. Proposals should address ethical, privacy, and data protection considerations.

Official Website

For full details and updates, visit the official HFSP website:
www.hfsp.org

Application Guidelines