Apply Now: 2025 ICGEB SMART Fellowships for Early-Career Researchers

The ICGEB SMART Fellowship programme is now open for applications, offering early-career scientists from ICGEB Member States the opportunity to enhance their skills and deepen international collaboration in the life sciences. This initiative supports research mobility between laboratories in different ICGEB Member States, fostering knowledge exchange, skill development, and innovation.

Deadline: 30 September 2025

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About the Programme

The SMART (Short-term Mobility And Research Training) Fellowship programme encourages collaborative research between institutions across ICGEB Member States. It promotes hands-on training in advanced technologies, skill acquisition, and international scientific partnerships that have a lasting impact on researchers’ careers and home institutions.

Subject Areas

Applications are welcome in all areas of the life sciences.

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 Eligibility

• Applicants must be nationals of an ICGEB Member State.

• Applicants must be registered PhD students or have obtained a PhD within the last 5 years. MSc holders are also eligible.

• Must be actively working in a research institution.

• Fellowships must involve mobility between two ICGEB Member States (except Italy, India, or South Africa unless the research isn’t available at ICGEB labs in those countries).

• There is no age limit, but preference is given to early-career researchers.

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Duration & Benefits

• Fellowship duration: 3 to 9 months

• Monthly stipend: Between USD 800 and USD 1,500, depending on location and seniority

• Health insurance and economy-class international travel covered

• A bench fee of USD 500/month may be provided to the host lab to support research costs

Note: Fellows are responsible for personal expenses for family members.

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Bench Fee Use

Bench fees must support the research project and may be used for lab consumables only (e.g., chemicals, plasticware, reagents). Costs such as equipment purchases, travel, or administration are not eligible.

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Application Requirements

You must submit:

• A completed online application

• CV and publications list

• CV of the Head of the Receiving Lab

• A valid passport copy

• Contact details of both your home and host laboratory supervisors

• Two reference letters submitted directly via email link

Only one application per candidate is accepted per call.

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Selection Criteria

The selection committee will evaluate:

• Scientific merit of the project

• The candidate’s academic background and potential

• The strength of collaboration between home and host labs

• The proposed project’s benefit to both institutions

Applicants will be notified via email after review.

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How to Apply

1. Create an account at: ICGEB Service Gateway

2. Access the SMART Fellowship application page:
   SMART Fellowship Guidelines & Form

3. Complete all 8 sections of the application

4. Upload required documents and submit

Ensure home and host lab supervisors complete their sections before the deadline.

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FAQs & Additional Info

• Visit the ICGEB SMART Fellowship FAQ page for answers to common questions.

• Download the “My SMART Experience” brochure to learn more about previous fellows’ experiences.

For more opportunities like this, visit opportunitiesforyouth.org.