The HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 offer a unique opportunity for early career scientists to engage in frontier, interdisciplinary research in the life sciences. These fully funded fellowships encourage applicants to broaden their research skills by moving into new areas of study while working in a new country, supporting high-risk projects that challenge existing paradigms with novel approaches.
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is an international funding organization that promotes innovative basic research focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms. HFSP emphasizes novel collaborations and interdisciplinary approaches to advance the life sciences, providing fellowships that enable postdoctoral researchers to work in member countries worldwide.
Benefits
- Fellowship awarded for 3 years (36 months)
- Living Allowance provided
- Research & Travel Allowance included
- Child Allowance available for eligible fellows
- Parental Leave Allowance offered
- Relocation allowance provided based on the situation
- Allowances differ depending on the host country
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants may be from any country and of any nationality
- Candidates cannot apply for a fellowship to work in the country of their nationality
- Applicants must propose a change in country
- Applicants must not propose to take up the fellowship in the country where they obtained their PhD
- Applicants must not have studied or worked in the proposed host country for more than 12 months by the fellowship activation date
- PhD must have been conferred by the fellowship activation date (between 1 April 2027 and 1 January 2028)
- Doctoral degree must have been conferred no more than 3 years prior to 24 September 2026
- Applicants must have at least one lead author original research publication in English
- Proposed research must be within the life sciences and distinctly different from the applicant’s PhD or previous postdoctoral work
- Research must be basic, fundamental research; applied projects are not supported
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.
How to Apply?
- Initiate a Letter of Intent via ProposalCentral before May 5, 2026 at 9:00 am Eastern US Time
- Submit the Letter of Intent by May 12, 2026 at 9:00 am Eastern US Time via ProposalCentral
- If selected, submit a Full Proposal by September 24, 2026 at 9:00 am Eastern US Time via ProposalCentral
- Ensure the host supervisor(s) and host institution are aware of the application
- Check the host institution’s policies for postdoctoral fellows and visa requirements
- Read the Application Guidelines thoroughly before applying
- Register for the Fellowships Information Webinar on March 25, 2026 for guidance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 support early-career researchers conducting innovative life-science research in a new country. The three-year fellowship provides financial support, promotes interdisciplinary research, and encourages scientists to explore new research directions.
What are the HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 support early-career scientists pursuing innovative research in the life sciences. The program encourages interdisciplinary ideas and high-risk projects that challenge existing scientific approaches and explore fundamental biological questions.
What types of HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 are available?
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 offer two categories: Long-Term Fellowships for applicants with a PhD in a biological field and Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships for researchers from non-biological disciplines entering the life sciences for the first time.
How long does the HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 program last?
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 are awarded for three years, or 36 months. The fellowship is not renewable, and fellows are expected to dedicate their full time to their research project at the host institution during this period.
What financial support is provided by HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 provide a living allowance and a research and travel allowance. Depending on personal circumstances, fellows may also receive relocation support, child allowance, or parental leave allowance during the fellowship.
Who can apply for HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?
Applicants of any nationality can apply for HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027. However, candidates cannot conduct their fellowship in the country of their nationality and must meet all eligibility requirements regarding host country and research institution.
What research fields are supported by HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 support basic research addressing fundamental problems in the life sciences. Projects may explore topics ranging from genes and molecular systems to complex biological networks, organisms, populations, and ecosystems.
What is the application process for HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 use a two-step application process. Applicants first submit a Letter of Intent. Selected candidates are then invited to submit a Full Proposal for further scientific evaluation by reviewers and the fellowship committee.
When do HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 begin?
Successful applicants for HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 must start their fellowship between 1 April 2027 and 1 January 2028. The PhD must be completed before the fellowship is activated.
Can HFSP Postdoctoral Fellows hold other jobs during the fellowship?
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to work full time on their research project at the host institution. They cannot hold another salaried position or fellowship at the same time without prior approval from the program administrators.
What happens in the third year of HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027?
In the third year of HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027, fellows may continue in the same laboratory, return to their home country, or move to another member country, provided they receive approval for any change in research location.
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