ICGEB SMART Fellowships 2025 are now open for early-career researchers from ICGEB Member States who are ready to expand their scientific expertise and collaborate internationally. This prestigious program offers fully funded research opportunities lasting 3 to 9 months at top laboratories in other member countries. Participants will gain hands-on experience with advanced life sciences techniques while engaging in meaningful cross-border scientific exchange.
The SMART Fellowships aim to empower young scientists by enhancing their research skills and fostering partnerships between home and host institutions. Whether you’re focusing on molecular biology, biotechnology, or biomedical research, this fellowship is your chance to strengthen your academic profile, contribute to global scientific progress, and accelerate your career on an international stage.
Fellowship Summary
- Location: Any ICGEB Member Country
- Target group: Life‑sciences researchers at early career stage (MSc–early post‑PhD)
- Fields of study: All areas of Life Sciences
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Duration: 3–9 months
- Application deadline: 30 September 2025
Benefits of ICGEB SMART Fellowships 2025
- Financial support:
- Monthly stipend (US $800–1,500)
- Up to US $500/month bench fee transferred to host lab
- Economy return travel and health insurance
- Professional development: Immersive training in state-of-the-art lab settings
- Institutional support: Host labs often provide additional perks like guest-house accommodation or partial living expense subsidies
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be nationals of an ICGEB Member State
- Be early-stage scientists:
- MSc holders or PhD candidates
- PhD graduates from within the last 5 years
- Be actively employed in a research institution
- Plan to undertake a 3–9 month research stay in another Member State, not their own
- Preferably be early-career researchers (though no age limit applies)
Note: Labs in Italy, India, and South Africa are excluded unless no equivalent ICGEB lab exists, in which case, apply via Arturo Falaschi Short-Term Fellowships.
How to Apply
- Visit the ICGEB Fellowships Portal
- Register or log in to your account
- Complete the application form
- Upload all required documents
- Add supervisor details
- Submit the application
✔️ Make sure your lab confirms participation before the deadline
📄 Don’t forget to read the online submission guidelines carefully
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
SMART Fellowships target early‑career researchers from Member States for 3–9 month visits. They fund travel, insurance, stipend (US $800–1,500), plus a US $500 bench fee. Life‑science fields only. Must upload CVs and ID; both labs must confirm via emailed links.
What is the aim of the SMART Fellowship?
The SMART Fellowship supports the mobility of researchers between ICGEB Member States. It’s designed to boost hands‑on training, enhance technical skills, and foster lasting bilateral scientific ties by requiring clear collaboration between host and home labs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Nationals of ICGEB Member States in early career stages qualify. Applicants can be PhD candidates or holders (within five years), or MSc holders. There’s no age limit, but priority goes to younger scientists looking for a 3–9 month research visit.
How long can fellowships last?
Fellowships run from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 9 months. This duration allows meaningful research training and collaboration while ensuring lab mobility fits within that timeframe. Research visits beyond nine months aren’t supported.
What exact costs are covered?
The fellowship covers economy‑class return travel, health insurance, and a monthly stipend of US$ 800–1,500 (based on local costs and seniority). Host labs may also receive a US$ 500 monthly bench fee if recommended by ICGEB’s committee.
What is the bench fee?
Bench fee is a monthly allowance (US$ 500) provided to the receiving lab for consumables directly tied to the fellow’s research: glassware, reagents, pipette tips, etc. Funds cannot be spent on equipment, overhead, travel, or unrelated administrative costs.
Can family members be funded?
No. The fellowship only supports the fellow. There is no financial or administrative support available for accompanying family members during the fellowship period.
Are any research areas excluded?
No. Applications are welcome in the area of Life Sciences. The goal is broad promotion of scientific mobility, skill sharing and bilateral collaboration across all life‑science disciplines.
How are applications selected?
A committee evaluates based on scientific excellence, the candidate’s CV, career impact, benefit for home and host institutions, and lab resources. Extra support from the host lab, such as accommodation or living‑cost contributions, is also a plus.
What application materials are required?
Applicants upload their full CV, the receiving lab head’s CV with publication list, and ID documents (passport or ID card). Passport validity should exceed 12 months. These documents must accompany the online application submission.
What’s the host and home lab confirmation process?
After providing lab details, both home and receiving lab heads must confirm their roles via emailed links before the deadline. Applications missing confirmation from either lab are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.
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