If you are considering pursuing postdoctoral research abroad, this article will provide detailed information about the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowships, including its benefits and the step-by-step application process.
The HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2025-2026 are fully funded scholarships for international students. These fellowships offer a living allowance, as well as funding for research and travel. Depending on their individual circumstances, fellows may also be eligible for a child allowance, parental leave allowance, and relocation allowance.
The HFSP fellowship program supports innovative research proposals in the life sciences that have the potential to be transformative. Applications for high-risk projects are particularly welcomed. Projects should be interdisciplinary and aimed at challenging existing paradigms through novel techniques and approaches. They must scientifically address significant issues or barriers to advancement in the field.
HFSP postdoctoral fellowships encourage early-career scientists to expand their research skills by exploring new areas of study in a different country.
There are two types of fellowships available:
- Long-Term Fellowships (LTF): Designed for applicants with a PhD in a biological discipline who wish to broaden their expertise by proposing a project in the life sciences that is significantly distinct from their previous PhD or postdoctoral research.
- Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF): Intended for applicants with a PhD in fields outside the life sciences, such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or computer sciences.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Postdoctoral
- Institution: Human Frontier Science Program
- Study Locations: See the list of host countries below
- Focus Areas: Life sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, or Computer Sciences
Deadlines:
- Submission of a Letter of Intent due by 1 PM (Eastern Time, US) on May 07, 2025. The registration portal will open in April.
- Final submission of a Letter of Intent by 1 PM (Eastern Time, US) on May 15, 2025.
- Applicants will be notified between mid-August and late August regarding the selection of their Letter of Intent for a Full Proposal.
- Submission of Full Proposals for invited applicants is due by 1 PM (Eastern Time, US) on September 25, 2025, via ProposalCentral.
Host Countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus (EU part), the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, the Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of 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 of America.
Scholarship Coverage
The Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships offer a living stipend, along with allowances for research and travel. Depending on individual circumstances, fellows may also be eligible for a child allowance, parental leave allowance, and relocation assistance.
Eligibility Criteria for HFSP Fellowships
To be considered for the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide
- Candidates must propose to conduct their research in a country different from where they completed their Ph.D. or their first postdoctoral study. For institutions classified as international or extraterritorial (such as EMBL, ICPT, or ICGEB), the host country will be considered where the laboratory is located.
- An applicant must possess a research doctorate (Ph.D.) or an equivalent doctoral-level degree with comparable basic research experience (such as a research-based MD or medical Ph.D.), which must be awarded by the start of the fellowship; it is not required at the time of application submission.
- Applicants must have at least one publication as the lead author of a full-length research paper that is either accepted for publication, in press, or published in an international peer-reviewed journal, or available on a preprint server.
- Only publications in English will be considered. Review articles and patents are not included in this assessment.
- Electronic copies of lead author publications must be uploaded during the application preparation; they cannot be added after submission.
How to Apply for Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships
To apply for the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, please follow these application instructions:
- Letter of Intent (to be submitted by May 07, 2025)
Applicants must submit a ‘Letter of Intent’ (LOI) by clicking here, which should include the following information:
- Title of the proposal
- Keywords related to the proposed research plan
- A brief summary of the proposed research plan (this summary can serve as the abstract for the full application if invited, as noted below)
- Personal information
- Curriculum Vitae
- Field and title of PhD
- Details about the proposed host supervisor and host institution
- Disclosure of any previous collaborations and publications with the host supervisor (if applicable) along with confirmation that the host supervisor is aware of and supports the application
- Preliminary publication list (with an option for updates)
(2) The Letter of Intent will undergo a peer review, and the results will be communicated as promptly as possible.
(3) Full Application (to be submitted by September 25, 2025)
Please note that HFSP will contact you if you are invited to proceed to this second stage.
- A summary of previous work (same as the short summary of the Letter of Intent)
- An abstract of the proposed research project (same as the short summary of the Letter of Intent)
- A detailed research plan for the proposed project
- Information on how the proposed project represents a significant shift from previous work
- Rationale for why and how the proposed project is groundbreaking
- Explanation of why the selected host lab is a suitable match
- Information on how the applicant will benefit from being in the host lab (e.g., access to unique infrastructure, mentorship, exposure to new techniques, etc.)
- An updated publication list
- Recommendation letters from two referees
- A recommendation letter from the host supervisor detailing how the proposed research plan marks a new direction for the host lab and represents a significant change from the applicant’s previous work (whether during their PhD or postdoctoral training). The host supervisor should also describe how their lab is well-equipped to support the goals and missions of HFSP, enabling talented young researchers to undertake a pioneering research project that will influence their career paths. Additionally, the host supervisor should outline a mentorship plan for the applicant.
- PDF files of lead-author publications
Website
To know more about Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, please visit official website: