The programme promotes the mobility of researchers between ICGEB Member States as a way of enhancing skill development, acquisition of specific hands-on training in technologies available in the receiving laboratory and increasing bilateral cooperation in science and technology, and should provide clear evidence of strong collaboration between the two laboratories. 

Applicants should focus on the impact for the fellow’s career, the benefit to the applicant’s home laboratory and the suitability of the receiving laboratory. As a major aspect of this programme is the promotion of scientific collaboration, applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure that the Supervisors in the two laboratories liaise closely in the preparation of the research project.

A new procedure has been introduced for submitting your application for an ICGEB fellowship. We therefore recommend that you carefully read the instructions provided on this webpage, as well as the related guidelines. 

1 July – 14 August 2026 
FELLOWSHIP EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 
The first stage is the submission of the Fellowship Expression of Interest through the ICGEB Service Gateway. In this phase, the candidate selects the laboratory and the prospective supervisor and completes the online form with basic information. 
Please refer to the guidelines: “Fellowship Expression of Interest – Online Submission Guidelines”

It is very important to submit your Expression of Interest by the indicated deadline in order to proceed to the next stage. This will be followed by a review phase by the Principal Investigators. 

16 – 30 September 2026 
FELLOWSHIP FULL APPLICATION 
If you are selected by your prospective supervisor, you will receive a notification confirming that you can proceed with the submission of your full application through the ICGEB Service Gateway by the deadline of 30 September 2026. 
Please refer to the guidelines: “Fellowships Application – Online Submission of Full Application Guidelines”.  

Subject area

Applications are welcome in any area of the Life Sciences.

Terms and Benefits

Awards are for a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 9 months. The fellowship covers international economy return travel, health insurance plus subsistence of the fellow only. The stipend for PhD fellowships is USD 1,500 (one thousand five hundred) per month, while the stipend for Postdoctoral fellowships is USD 2,000 (two thousand). Additionally, a USD 500 monthly bench fee can be paid directly to the receiving laboratory based on the recommendation of the ICGEB Fellowships Committee. The fellowship stipend will be paid by bank transfer directly to the fellow’s bank account. Upon joining the receiving laboratory, ICGEB will transfer the bench fee allocation to the receiving laboratory, which will be responsible for the management of the funds and the certification of expenditures to ICGEB. The receiving laboratory is expected to ensure that adequate provisions are in place for the specific research project and to make the bench fee allocation available to the ICGEB SMART Fellow immediately, free from any administrative overhead costs. ICGEB makes no financial provision, nor can it provide administrative support for family members of participants in the programme.

Bench fee

The bench fee allowance paid in the framework of the ICGEB SMART fellowship is a contribution to the implementation of the research project proposal presented by the candidate. The receiving laboratory is expected to use the entire bench fee allocation to the benefit of the approved research-training programme.

Any unspent balance left will have to be returned to ICGEB. Funds can only be used to cover the purchase of laboratory consumables that are directly related to the SMART Fellow’s research activities including:  general labware, cryoware, glassware and plasticware, chemicals and reagents, cell culture consumables, pipettes and pipette tips, microplates PCR and qPCR consumables. The following items are not considered eligible costs: costs of maintenance, repair, running or insurance of existing assets belonging to the Host Institute; purchase of equipment, office furniture or fittings; computer hardware or software; office stationary; travel costs; literature; administrative costs and overhead expenses of the Institute; bank charges.

Selection

The ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee will evaluate complete applications received by the closing date. The candidates will be notified of the outcome by e-mail as soon as possible following the closing date for applications. Please note that the selection might take several weeks according to the amount of applications received. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback to all applicants at the end of the selection process. The main criteria for selection include scientific excellence of the project, the qualities of the candidate’s CV and the impact on his/her career, the potential benefit for the home and the host country, competence, skills and equipment available in the receiving laboratory. ICGEB will positively value any additional support provided by the receiving institute to the fellow’s living expenses (i.e. a direct contribution for living expenses, guest house accommodation, etc.).

Submission

Please complete this application online in the ICGEB Service Gateway by following the related guidelines: 

1 July – 14 August 2026 
FELLOWSHIP EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 
“Fellowship Expression of Interest – Online Submission Guidelines” 

16 – 30 September 2026 
FELLOWSHIP FULL APPLICATION 

“Fellowships Application – Online Submission of Full Application Guidelines” 

Only one application per call is accepted for each candidate.

Documents to be uploaded

Please note that you will be requested to upload the following documents (pdf files):
(i) Your full CV;
(ii) The full CV of the Head of the Receiving Laboratory (complete with list of publications);
(iii) A valid identification document (passport or identity card). Recommended passport validity should be 12 months at least.

Note on Home and Receiving Laboratories

Please note that after you provide the requested details on the Home and Receiving laboratories in the dedicated section on the online application form, an automatic notification with a dedicated link will be sent to the Head of the Home lab and to the Head of the Receiving lab asking them to confirm and complete the data you entered by the closing date of the call.
Please note that applications without this section completed by both labs by the set deadline will not be considered for the selection. Therefore, we strongly suggest you submit your application well in advance to allow timely completion form both Home and Receiving laboratories.

Final report

Successful candidates will jointly prepare a final scientific report with the host supervisor highlighting the achievements attained during the period of the Fellowship. The host Institute will submit a signed financial statement reporting the expenditures covered by the bench fee allowance received.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Scientific relevance to life sciences and biotechnology (highest predictor)

This is the primary requirement.

Competitive proposals should address important questions in:

• Molecular biology
• Genetic engineering
• Biotechnology
• Human health
• Infectious diseases
• Non-communicable diseases
• Agricultural biotechnology
• Plant biotechnology
• Industrial biotechnology
• Bioenergy
• Basic life sciences

Projects outside these areas are generally not competitive.

2. Original, hypothesis-driven research (very high predictor)

ICGEB explicitly states that successful proposals should:

• Address a clear scientific question
• Present a well-defined hypothesis
• Be original and novel
• Avoid purely descriptive studies

Projects should advance knowledge rather than simply generate observational data.

3. Relevance to the host country and regional priorities (very high and distinctive predictor)

One of the most distinctive features of the CRP is its emphasis on local and regional impact.

Competitive proposals address scientific problems of:

• Particular importance to the host country
• Regional public health priorities
• Regional agriculture
• Food security
• Biotechnology development
• Sustainable development

Applications demonstrating direct benefit to the applicant's country or region receive special consideration.

4. Strong international collaboration (very high predictor)

International collaboration is an essential feature of all ICGEB Research Grants.

Competitive proposals should include:

• Collaborators from different countries
• Clearly defined roles for each partner
• Integrated research activities
• Shared expertise
• Joint implementation of the project

ICGEB emphasizes that collaboration should be substantive and fully integrated—not merely an exchange of reagents or occasional advice. Collaboration with ICGEB laboratories (Trieste, New Delhi, or Cape Town) is encouraged but not mandatory.

5. Scientific excellence and innovation (very high predictor)

Competitive proposals demonstrate:

• High scientific quality
• Innovative methodology
• Novel concepts
• Significant expected impact
• Strong rationale

Incremental or poorly justified studies are less competitive.

6. Feasibility and realistic project design (very high predictor)

ICGEB explicitly states that projects should:

• Have achievable objectives
• Be feasible within the project period (up to 36 months for CRP grants)
• Include realistic milestones
• Present appropriate methodology
• Demonstrate practical implementation

Unrealistic objectives or overly ambitious timelines are common reasons for rejection.

7. Training and capacity building (very high and distinctive predictor)

Training young scientists is a core objective of the ICGEB CRP.

Strong applications clearly describe:

• Training plans
• Student involvement
• Capacity development
• Technology transfer
• Skills development
• Long-term strengthening of local research capability

Applications that build sustainable scientific capacity are particularly well aligned with ICGEB's mission.

8. Strong investigator and institutional capability (high predictor)

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Appropriate expertise
• Publication record
• Institutional support
• Laboratory infrastructure
• Experience managing research projects

Principal Investigators must hold positions at universities or research institutes in ICGEB Member States.

9. Clear milestones and measurable outcomes (high predictor)

Competitive proposals include:

• Clearly defined aims
• Measurable deliverables
• Logical work packages
• Well-structured timelines
• Expected scientific outputs

Projects should explain how success will be evaluated throughout the grant period.

10. Appropriate budget and efficient use of funds (high predictor)

ICGEB Research Grants provide up to €25,000 per year for a maximum of 36 months.

Competitive budgets focus on eligible expenses such as:

• Consumables
• Small laboratory equipment
• Scientific literature
• Training
• Travel directly related to the project

Funds cannot be used for PI salaries, institutional overheads, or major infrastructure. A realistic, well-justified budget strengthens the application.