Application Deadline: 14 August 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Expression Of Interest; 30 September 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Full Application
LOCATION: Multiple Regions
The ICGEB SMART Fellowship Programme promotes the Scientific Mobility for Advanced Research Training of researchers between ICGEB Member States as a way of enhancing skill development, acquisition of specific hands-on training in new technologies, and increasing cooperation in science and technology and should provide clear evidence of strong collaboration between the two laboratories.
ELIGIBILITY:
Subject area: Applications are welcome in any area of the Life Sciences.
The call is open to nationals of ICGEB Member States and provides fellowships to scientists in the early stage of their career wishing to spend between 3 and 9 months at a research institution in an ICGEB Member State other than their own. SMART Fellowships are intended to promote collaboration among researchers in ICGEB Member Countries. Mobility support to laboratories located in Italy, India and South Africa can be considered under exceptional circumstances and only if the research activity proposed is not covered by one of the ICGEB laboratories in Trieste, New Delhi or Cape Town. If the latter case applies, please refer to the ICGEB Arturo Falaschi Short-term fellowships programme.
There is no age limit. However, preference is given to young scientists at the beginning of their research career. Applicants should be either registered for a PhD or have obtained their PhD degree within the last 5 years and be actively working in a research Institution.
Young scientists holding an MSc or equivalent can apply. SMART Fellowships support mobility between laboratories located in Member States. Awards are not intended to prolong visits begun under other auspices, to support participation in courses, workshops or symposia or as bridging fellowships between, or prior to, long term stays funded by ICGEB or other organisations.
Documents to be uploaded:
Please note that you will be requested to upload the following documents (pdf files):
Your full CV;
The full CV of the Head of the Receiving Laboratory (complete with list of publications);
A valid identification document (passport or identity card). Recommended passport validity should be 12 months at least.
BENEFIT:
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.
