The Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025–2026 offer an exceptional opportunity for early-career scientists worldwide to pursue cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in the life sciences. Fully funded and internationally competitive, the HFSP Fellowships are designed to support innovative, high-risk research that challenges existing scientific paradigms. With a strong emphasis on international collaboration and academic exploration beyond conventional disciplines, the program significantly empowers scientists to broaden their research capabilities. By working in a new country, fellows gain valuable exposure to diverse scientific cultures and methodologies, enhancing their personal and professional growth. This global experience fosters a deeper understanding of various research approaches and encourages innovative thinking.
In addition, fellows selected for this prestigious program will receive a comprehensive package that includes a living allowance, research and travel support, and, depending on individual circumstances, additional benefits such as child allowance, parental leave, and relocation expenses. HFSP strongly encourages proposals that are both frontier in nature and interdisciplinary in their approach, capable of transforming our understanding of the life sciences. As such, the fellowship plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of research leaders by promoting cross-disciplinary learning and supporting global scientific exchange, ultimately leading to groundbreaking advancements in various fields.
Summary
- Host Organization: Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)
- Fellowship Location: HFSP member countries
- Category: Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: All nationalities
- Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Details of the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025
The HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships are prestigious awards aimed at nurturing early-career scientists who are eager to expand their research expertise by exploring new areas within the life sciences. Funded by the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), these fellowships emphasize innovation, interdisciplinarity, and global collaboration. They are designed to support research that takes bold and creative approaches to fundamental questions in the life sciences, encouraging scientists to go beyond traditional boundaries and work on high-risk, high-reward projects.
There are two main types of fellowships available under this program. The Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) are specifically for applicants with a Ph.D. in life sciences who propose research projects that differ significantly from their previous work. On the other hand, the Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) are targeted at applicants from non-biological backgrounds, such as physics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, or computer science, who aim to transition into research in the life sciences. Both fellowship types aim to foster cross-pollination of knowledge and methodologies across scientific disciplines, making the program uniquely supportive of groundbreaking research.
The fellowship can be hosted in institutions located in any of the HFSP member countries, promoting international mobility and cooperation. Eligible host countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus (EU part), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. By facilitating research across a wide range of global institutions, HFSP ensures that fellows have access to cutting-edge facilities and a vibrant international research community.
Benefits of the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025
HFSP provides a generous and comprehensive funding package, which includes:
- A living allowance
- Research and travel allowance
- Child allowance, parental leave allowance, and relocation allowance (where applicable)
- Access to high-level international research environments
Eligibility for the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025
To be eligible for the HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025-2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Applicants from any country may apply. However, they cannot apply to work in a country where they hold citizenship.
- Academic Qualification: Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree). The degree must be awarded before the fellowship starts, but not necessarily at the time of application.
- Research Publications: Must have at least one lead author full-length research paper published or accepted in a peer-reviewed journal (or preprint server). Reviews and patents are not accepted.
- Host Institution: Applicants must choose a host lab in a country other than the one where they earned their Ph.D. or conducted their first postdoc.
Required Documents
To apply, you must prepare and submit the following:
- Title and summary of your proposed research
- Research keywords
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Field and title of your Ph.D.
- Information about your proposed host supervisor and host institution
- Disclosure of any prior collaborations/publications with the host
- Confirmation that your host supports the application
- Preliminary publication list
How to Apply for the Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025
Step 1: Initiate a Letter of Intent (LOI)
Applicants must initiate the Letter of Intent on the ProposalCentral platform by May 7, 2025 (1:00 PM Eastern Time US).
Step 2: Submit the Letter of Intent (LOI)
Submit the completed LOI before the deadline: May 15, 2025 (1:00 PM Eastern Time US).
Step 3: Wait for Shortlisting Notification
HFSP will review submitted LOIs and notify shortlisted candidates between mid-August and the end of August 2025.
Step 4: Submit Full Proposal
Only invited applicants will be eligible to submit a full application.
Application Deadline
The deadline for full proposal submission is September 25, 2025 (1:00 PM Eastern Time US).
For complete information and application guidelines, visit the official HFSP website at the link below.
