Deadline Date: March 31, 2026
The ICGEB PhD Fellowships Programme offers eligible international students the opportunity to pursue doctoral research at ICGEB laboratories in Trieste, New Delhi or Cape Town with comprehensive academic and financial support.
The fellowship provides a monthly stipend of Euro 1,500 for candidates based in Trieste, Italy, US$ 1,122 for those in New Delhi, India, and ZAR 16,500 for fellows in Cape Town, South Africa, and supports a three-year PhD course with the possibility of a one-year extension.
It also covers university tuition fees for the full PhD registration period and includes medical health insurance for the duration of the programme. Travel expenses from the fellow’s home country to the host ICGEB laboratory at the start of the fellowship and return travel upon completion are included, along with reimbursement of visa or permit of stay application and renewal costs. The standard duration of the programme is three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
To be eligible, applicants must be nationals of an ICGEB Member State. Candidates applying to ICGEB Trieste must hold a BSc (Honours) degree, while those applying to ICGEB New Delhi and Cape Town must hold an MSc degree.
Applicants must demonstrate a good working knowledge of English through an accepted proficiency certificate unless English was the medium of instruction, in which case an official university certificate is required. An age limit of below 32 years applies only to applicants for Trieste, while there is no age limit for New Delhi and Cape Town.
The main criteria for selection include scientific excellence of the project, the qualities of the candidate’s CV and potential benefit for the home country. Applications must be submitted online, with only one application permitted per call.
Required documents include a full CV, official academic records with certified English translations where applicable, the written statement from the supporting ICGEB Group Leader, a valid identification document, and proof of English language proficiency where required. All complete applications are forwarded to the relevant ICGEB Liaison Officer for endorsement, which is a mandatory step in the selection process.
Accommodation arrangements vary by location, with limited on-campus or supported options available in New Delhi and Cape Town, while fellows in Trieste are provided with guidance on external housing options. The expected starting dates are 1 October 2026 for Trieste, 1 August 2026 for New Delhi and 15 January 2027 for Cape Town.
