Deadline Date: March 31, 2026
The ICGEB SMART Fellowship Programme promotes the mobility of researchers between ICGEB Member States as a way of enhancing skill development, acquisition of specific hands-on training in new technologies, increasing cooperation in science and technology and should provide clear evidence of strong collaboration between the two laboratories.
The fellowship is designed for scientists at an early stage of their career who wish to spend a defined research period in a laboratory located in an ICGEB Member State other than their own.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate how the proposed mobility will positively impact their career trajectory, contribute to the advancement of their home laboratory and align with the expertise and facilities of the receiving laboratory.
Close coordination between the supervisors of the home and host laboratories is strongly encouraged during the preparation of the research project to ensure meaningful scientific collaboration.
The fellowship provides financial support covering international economy return travel, health insurance and a monthly subsistence allowance for the fellow. PhD fellows receive a monthly stipend of USD 1,500, while postdoctoral fellows receive USD 2,000 per month.
In addition, a monthly bench fee of USD 500 may be allocated to the receiving laboratory to support research-related consumables, subject to the recommendation of the ICGEB Fellowships Committee. The receiving laboratory is responsible for managing these funds strictly in line with the approved research-training programme.
Eligibility for the programme extends to nationals of ICGEB Member States, with no age restriction, although preference is given to young scientists at the beginning of their research careers. Applicants should be registered for a PhD or have obtained their PhD degree within the last five years and must be actively working in a research institution.
Young scientists holding an MSc or equivalent qualification are also eligible to apply. The fellowship supports research stays of a minimum of three months and a maximum of nine months and is not intended to extend existing visits, support participation in courses or workshops, or act as a bridge to longer-term fellowships.
Applications are evaluated by the ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee based on scientific excellence, the quality of the applicant’s curriculum vitae, the anticipated impact on the fellow’s career and the potential benefits for both the home and host institutions.
The competence, skills and infrastructure available in the receiving laboratory are also key considerations, along with any additional support offered to assist the fellow’s living expenses. The application process requires submission through the ICGEB Service Gateway, with only one application permitted per call.
Applicants must upload their full CV, the full CV of the Head of the Receiving Laboratory, and a valid identification document. Both the home and receiving laboratories must confirm and complete their respective sections of the application by the stated deadline for the application to be considered valid.
