Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027: Up to €10,000 for International Research, Internships and Scientific Exchange

The fellowship program is designed to support promising students who want to gain international research experience, develop new scientific skills, work with researchers in another country and strengthen their academic and professional networks. According to Bayer Foundation, successful applicants can receive up to €10,000 in funding.

The 2027 fellowship announcement highlights four major areas: Drug Discovery Sciences, Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Climate & Health. These areas cover a broad range of scientific research, including pharmaceutical research, medicine, public health, natural sciences, data science, agriculture and research examining the relationship between climate change and human or animal health.

For students planning an international research experience in 2027, the announcement provides an early opportunity to begin preparing before applications officially open.

Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027 Overview

The Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships are intended to help students undertake specific international research and learning experiences connected to their current or future scientific studies.

The program is not designed to finance an entire Master’s or PhD degree. Instead, the fellowship supports a defined research stay, internship, scientific project or similar activity that complements an existing academic program. Bayer Foundation’s current fellowship guidelines state that students enrolled outside Germany undertake their placement in Germany, while students enrolled at German universities undertake their placement outside Germany.

Key details

• Program: Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027
• Application opening date: 10 November 2026
• Funding: Up to €10,000
• Fellowship duration: Up to six months under the current fellowship guidelines
• Study levels: Master’s, PhD and medical students
• Main areas: Drug Discovery Sciences, Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Climate & Health
• Purpose: International research projects, internships and scientific exchange
• Application language: English under the current guidelines
• Application method: Online application portal
• Closing deadline: Not yet announced for the 2027 application round

The €10,000 maximum and six-month duration are based on the current Bayer Foundation fellowship framework; applicants should check the final 2027 guidelines when the application portal opens because requirements, dates and conditions can be updated for each application cycle.

What Are the Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships?

The Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships are part of the foundation’s work supporting scientific research and the next generation of researchers.

The fellowships are intended to give students opportunities that may not be available through their home institutions. This can include gaining access to specialist research facilities, learning new scientific techniques, completing a research project abroad, undertaking an internship between academic stages, or working collaboratively with researchers at another institution.

Under the current guidelines, eligible activities can include:

1. Research projects abroad
   Students can use the fellowship for a clearly defined research project that complements their academic studies.
2. International research stays
   Funding can support a temporary research placement at an appropriate host institution in another country.
3. Internships
   The fellowship may support certain internships, including internships between Master’s and PhD studies where the applicant can provide evidence of a PhD offer.
4. Specialist scientific training
   Students can undertake research stays designed to acquire specific scientific skills or techniques relevant to their current research.
5. Access to specialist facilities
   Funding may support activities requiring facilities or expertise that are not available at the student’s home institution.
6. Interdisciplinary research
   Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. For example, the current guidelines mention situations where researchers work outside their core field to develop expertise in another related discipline.

The fellowship therefore goes beyond simply providing financial assistance. It is intended to create opportunities for students to gain practical research experience, develop scientific skills and establish connections across institutions and countries.

Areas Supported by the 2027 Fellowship

The 2027 announcement identifies four principal areas of support.

1. Drug Discovery Sciences

The Drug Discovery Sciences fellowship is intended for students whose research has relevance to pharmaceutical or consumer healthcare research.

Under the current eligibility framework, Master’s and PhD students in natural sciences, pharmacy and data science may qualify where their fundamental or applied research is relevant to the pharmaceutical or consumer healthcare industries.

Potentially relevant research areas can include subjects such as:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular and cell biology
• Pharmacology
• Chemistry
• Chemical biology
• Drug formulation
• Bioinformatics
• Data science
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Related natural science disciplines

The exact interpretation of eligible fields should be confirmed using the 2027 guidelines once they are released.

2. Medical Sciences

The Medical Sciences fellowship focuses on research connected to human and veterinary medicine and related medical disciplines.

The current guidelines include:

• Human medicine
• Veterinary medicine
• Medical engineering
• Applied medical sciences
• Public health
• Data science in medicine
• Similar relevant medical fields

The foundation also encourages projects that have particular relevance to health challenges in low- and middle-income countries, as well as research relating to rare or orphan diseases.

This makes the fellowship potentially relevant to researchers working across areas such as infectious diseases, public health, medical technology, epidemiology and other health-related scientific disciplines.

3. Agricultural Sciences

The Agricultural Sciences fellowship supports research with relevance to the Crop Science industry.

The current framework allows Master’s and PhD students whose research in areas such as natural sciences, pharmacy or data science has relevance to crop science.

Relevant research can potentially involve areas such as:

• Crop science
• Plant biology
• Plant physiology
• Plant pathology
• Genetics
• Agricultural engineering
• Digital farming
• Data science
• Biotechnology
• Related natural sciences

Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed project and the relevant agricultural or crop science field.

4. Climate & Health

The Climate & Health fellowship focuses on scientific work examining the effects of climate change on health.

Under the current guidelines, eligible areas include human or veterinary medicine and Master’s or PhD studies in natural sciences, pharmacy, public health or epidemiology where the research is relevant to the impact of climate change on health.

The foundation particularly encourages projects connected to:

• Women’s health and other vulnerable populations
• Cardio-renal health
• Neglected tropical diseases
• Respiratory health
• The wider health effects of climate change

This area may therefore appeal to researchers studying how changing environmental conditions affect disease patterns, healthcare systems, vulnerable populations and public health.

Who Can Apply for the Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships?

The 2027 announcement specifically refers to Master’s, PhD and medical students.

The current Bayer Foundation guidelines provide more detail about eligibility. Applicants generally need to be currently enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, medical degree or equivalent program. Bachelor students, postdoctoral researchers and medical doctors who have already completed their relevant degree are not eligible under the current rules.

Applicants are also expected to demonstrate strong academic performance in their previous or current studies.

A particularly important condition is that the fellowship supports an existing academic program or a clearly connected scientific activity, rather than funding an entire degree program.

Click HERE for application information.

International applicants

The fellowship is international in scope. Eligibility is not limited to a particular race, nationality or continent.

However, the location of the applicant’s university or academic enrollment matters. Under the current rules:

• Students enrolled at universities outside Germany must undertake their fellowship placement in Germany.
• Students enrolled at universities in Germany must undertake their placement outside Germany.
• Students enrolled in multinational study programs cannot undertake the fellowship at either of their home institutes.

This means that students from African, Asian, European, North American, South American, Middle Eastern and other regions may potentially apply, provided they meet the academic and fellowship-specific requirements.

The current Bayer Foundation FAQ likewise states that students based outside Germany undertake fellowships in Germany, while students studying in Germany undertake placements outside Germany.

What Can the €10,000 Funding Be Used For?

The fellowship provides up to €10,000 under the current framework, with funding available for activities lasting up to six months.

Eligible expenses can include costs associated with carrying out the approved international fellowship activity, such as:

• Travel costs
• Visa costs
• Living expenses
• Childcare in qualifying circumstances
• Certain justified exceptional costs

The current guidelines state that exceptional costs may be requested where they are essential to completing the project and cannot reasonably be covered through the normal fellowship budget.

There is also additional childcare support under the current rules for applicants whose children accompany them during the fellowship. The current framework provides €500 per month, subject to its stated conditions and limits.

What Expenses Are Not Covered?

Applicants should carefully distinguish between expenses that support their international placement and expenses that fall outside the fellowship’s funding rules.

Under the current guidelines, Bayer Foundation funding cannot be used for items such as:

• Laboratory consumables
• Laboratory equipment
• Laptops or tablets
• Conferences and workshops
• Costs associated with writing papers, books or reviews
• Guest lectures or visiting professorships
• Course fees for studying in another country

The foundation also states that it will not provide administrative assistance for arranging visas, housing, travel or the research placement itself. Applicants are responsible for arranging their host institution and the practical aspects of their international stay.

Applicants Must Arrange Their Host Institution

One of the important aspects of the fellowship is that applicants are expected to identify and arrange their own host institution before applying.

The current guidelines require a support or acceptance letter from the selected host institution. Bayer Foundation does not find the research project or host university for applicants.

Students interested in applying should therefore begin contacting potential universities, research institutes, laboratories, hospitals or other eligible academic research environments well before the application deadline.

Starting early can give applicants enough time to:

• Identify an appropriate host researcher.
• Discuss a possible research project.
• Develop a project proposal.
• Obtain confirmation from the host institution.
• Request recommendation letters.
• Prepare an appropriate budget.
• Gather academic documents.
• Complete the application materials in English.

Application Documents

The exact requirements for the 2027 cycle should be confirmed when Bayer Foundation publishes the new guidelines. However, the current application framework gives prospective applicants a useful indication of what they may need to prepare.

The current guidelines require or request materials including:

• A personal statement explaining motivation and professional aspirations.
• A research or project proposal.
• An explanation of the project’s scientific and societal relevance.
• A proposed budget.
• A support or acceptance letter from the selected host institution.
• Two recommendation letters.
• Certificates for completed studies.
• Academic transcripts.
• A one-minute video explaining the applicant’s motivation and how the fellowship would support their career development.
• An acceptance letter for a subsequent study program, where relevant.

Applications and supporting documents are currently required in English.

Because these requirements are based on the current fellowship guidelines rather than the yet-to-be-released 2027 guidelines, applicants should check the official 2027 documentation before submitting an application.

How Applications Are Evaluated

The current Bayer Foundation guidelines indicate that applications first undergo an initial eligibility and completeness check. Eligible applications are then evaluated by an independent jury of scientists.

The principal evaluation areas include:

• The fundamental quality and relevance of the proposed application.
• The applicant’s motivation and potential.
• The value of the fellowship to the applicant.

The foundation also places a strong emphasis on collaborative and interdisciplinary research projects. Projects that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are encouraged as well.

Applicants should therefore think beyond simply describing what they want to research. A strong application should clearly explain why the international experience is needed, what the applicant hopes to learn, how the host institution contributes something unavailable at the home institution, and how the experience can contribute to the applicant’s longer-term scientific development.

International Research and Scientific Networking

One of the major advantages of the Bayer Foundation fellowship is the international dimension.

Students can gain experience working in a different academic and research environment while developing connections with scientists and institutions outside their home country.

The Bayer Foundation also states that fellowship awardees are invited to join and contribute to the Bayer Foundation Science Network, which includes scientific lectures, award celebrations involving renowned researchers and networking events.

This can extend the value of the fellowship beyond the funded research period itself.

Why Students Should Start Preparing Early

Although applications will not open until 10 November 2026, prospective applicants can begin preparing well before the application portal becomes available.

A good preparation process could include:

1. Identify the most suitable fellowship

Review the four announced areas and determine whether your research fits Drug Discovery Sciences, Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences or Climate & Health.

2. Identify a potential host institution

Look for universities, research institutes, hospitals and laboratories whose expertise matches your proposed project.

3. Contact potential supervisors

Reach out to researchers whose work aligns with your research interests. Give them enough information about your proposed project and explain why you are interested in working with their group.

4. Develop your research proposal

Prepare a clear description of the research question, methodology, expected outcomes and relevance of the project.

5. Prepare academic documents

Begin gathering transcripts, degree certificates and other documents that may be required.

6. Arrange recommendation letters

Identify suitable academic supervisors or other eligible referees who can provide meaningful recommendations.

7. Prepare a realistic budget

The current fellowship framework requires applicants to provide a detailed budget. Costs should be reasonable and connected directly to the proposed fellowship activity.

8. Monitor the official announcement

The 2027 application requirements and closing date should be confirmed when the new application round opens.

Deadline for the Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027

The application opening date is 10 November 2026.

At the time of the announcement provided, Bayer Foundation has not announced the closing deadline for the 2027 application round. Therefore, applicants should not assume that the deadline from a previous year will apply to the 2027 program.

For reference, the 2026 application phase ran from February to April, but the foundation has specifically announced that the 2027 applications will open earlier, on 10 November 2026.

Applicants should check the official Bayer Foundation fellowship page and the 2027 guidelines once the application portal opens for the final deadline and updated eligibility conditions.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The fellowship may be particularly relevant to students who:

• Are currently pursuing a Master’s, PhD or medical degree.
• Want to undertake an international research experience.
• Have a clearly defined scientific research project.
• Need access to expertise, facilities or techniques available at another institution.
• Want to develop international academic connections.
• Are working in one of the four announced fellowship areas.
• Can identify and arrange an appropriate host institution.
• Have strong academic performance and a clear motivation for the proposed fellowship.

Students from countries outside Germany should pay particular attention to the placement rules because the current program requires students enrolled outside Germany to undertake their fellowship in Germany.

For more fellowship programs visit OFY website HERE

Conclusion

The Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2027 offer Master’s, PhD and medical students an opportunity to gain international research experience while receiving financial support of up to €10,000 under the current fellowship framework.

The four announced areas — Drug Discovery Sciences, Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Climate & Health — cover a wide range of research interests across life sciences, medicine, agriculture, public health, data science and climate-related health research.

With applications scheduled to open on 10 November 2026, prospective applicants have an opportunity to prepare their research ideas, identify potential host institutions, contact supervisors and organize their supporting documents in advance. Since the 2027 closing date and final guidelines have not yet been published, applicants should monitor Bayer Foundation’s official fellowship information for the confirmed application requirements and deadline.