KAUST GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS, 2026

Application Deadline: January 15th, 2026

LOCATION: Saudi Arabia

The KAUST Global Fellowship Program aims to attract and support outstanding emerging research leaders and scientists from around the world to build their path towards a fully independent career. The program inspires the young generation of scientists and engineers to address global challenges and explore opportunities that benefit humanity. 

ELIGIBILITY:

For an applicant to be eligible for this Fellowship:

Must have been awarded a Ph.D. degree, within four calendar years (i.e., those applying in January 2026, must have received their Ph.D. after January 2022 inclusive);

Must expect to complete their Ph.D. before the start of their Fellowship;

Must be ready to move to KAUST to undertake their proposed three-year research project*;

Must identify in their application a KAUST faculty member who has confirmed and agreed to host them and their research project, if successful.

People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. They encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance in science and engineering.

Candidates must satisfy all Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requirements to obtain resident status.

Proposal Eligibility:

Focus on one or more of the KAUST research priorities: Health & Wellness, Sustainable Environment & Essential Needs, Energy & Industrial Leadership, and Economies of the Future;

Have an outline for a three-year duration;

Follow the budget and financial guidelines of the call;

Use the provided template.

The KAUST Global Fellowship Program supports research projects under the programs of the three KAUST academic divisions: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE)Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE), and Physical Science and Engineering (PSE).

BENEFIT:

Each successful fellow receives up to $40,000 of funding for their research proposal, along with a yearly living stipend of $75,000 plus benefits, including medical insurance, accommodation, schooling for up to 2 children, relocation allowance, and annual travel allowance. The funding allows researchers to prioritize their research on a full-time basis with financial security.

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TWAS-SISSA-LINCEI RESEARCH COOPERATION VISITS PROGRAMME

Application Deadline: 15 October 2025

LOCATION: Italy

Young scientists from least developed countries who hold an MSc (or higher degree) can visit research laboratories in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region of Italy for three months to carry out collaborative research projects and/or training internships in the fields that fall under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must be a maximum age of 40 years on 31 December of the application year

Applicants must hold an MSc (or higher degree)

Applicants must be nationals of a least developed country. (See list at: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/least-developed-country-category/ldcs-…)

Applicants must hold a research position in a least developed country

Particular attention will be given to research projects that fall under the umbrella of sustainability science

Women scientists are encouraged to apply

Applicants already on-site in the host country are not eligible

Only applications in the scientific fields specified below and listed in the application form will be considered.

Eligible host institutions are the following:

International School for Advanced Studies – SISSA

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology – ICGEB

National Institute for Nuclear Physics – INFN (only one host supervisor available: Prof. Andrea Vacchi)

National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS

University of Trieste – www.units.it/en

University of Udine – www.uniud.it/en

Materials Foundry-National Research Council – IOM-CNR

Area Science Park – en.areasciencepark.it/

Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste – www.elettra.eu/

BENEFIT:

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, through UNESCO-TWAS, will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Italy. The administration and financial operation of TWAS is undertaken by UNESCO in accordance with an agreement signed by the two organizations.

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