ICGEB Arturo Falaschi SMART Fellowships September 2026: Fully Funded International Research Mobility Fellowship for Early-Career Scientists

The ICGEB Arturo Falaschi SMART Fellowship Programme 2026 is now accepting applications from eligible researchers in ICGEB Member States. Offered by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), this prestigious fellowship promotes international scientific mobility by supporting researchers to undertake advanced research training in another ICGEB Member State.

The fellowship is designed to strengthen scientific cooperation, develop technical expertise, and encourage long-term collaboration between research institutions. Successful applicants will spend between 3 and 9 months at a host laboratory, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies while contributing to collaborative research projects in the life sciences.

Whether you are a PhD student, postdoctoral researcher, or an early-career scientist, this fellowship offers a valuable opportunity to expand your research skills, build international collaborations, and advance your scientific career.

About the ICGEB Arturo Falaschi SMART Fellowship Programme

The Scientific Mobility for Advanced Research Training (SMART) Fellowship Programme was established to promote research collaboration between laboratories located in different ICGEB Member States. The programme enables scientists to receive practical training in technologies and methodologies that may not be available in their home institutions.

A major objective of the programme is to strengthen scientific partnerships. Therefore, applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong collaborative research project jointly prepared by both the home and receiving laboratories. Supervisors from both institutions are strongly encouraged to work together during the proposal development stage to ensure a high-quality application.

Applications are welcome in all areas of the Life Sciences, making this fellowship suitable for researchers from diverse scientific disciplines.

 Fellowship Duration

Successful applicants will receive funding for research visits lasting:

Minimum duration: 3 months
Maximum duration: 9 months

The fellowship supports temporary scientific mobility and is not intended for long-term degree programmes or extensions of existing fellowships.

Fellowship Benefits

The ICGEB SMART Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support to selected fellows, including:

•  International economy-class return airfare
•  Monthly living stipend
• Health insurance
•  Research mobility support
•  Access to internationally recognized laboratories
•  Hands-on training using advanced technologies
•  Opportunities to establish long-term international scientific collaborations

 Monthly Stipend

Selected fellows receive:

USD 1,500 per month for PhD fellows
USD 2,000 per month for Postdoctoral fellows

In addition, a USD 500 monthly bench fee may be provided directly to the receiving laboratory to support research consumables required for the approved research project.

Eligible Research Areas

Applications are accepted in any area of the Life Sciences, including but not limited to:

•  Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
•  Biomedical Sciences
•  Agricultural Biotechnology
•  Environmental Sciences
•  Cell Biology
•  Microbiology
•  Biochemistry
•  Bioinformatics

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

•  Be nationals of an ICGEB Member State.
• Be actively working in a recognized research institution.
•  Be registered for a PhD or have obtained a PhD within the last five years.
•  Young scientists holding an MSc or an equivalent qualification are also encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrate a clear research collaboration between their home and receiving laboratories
•  Apply to undertake research in another ICGEB Member State (not their own).

There is no age limit for applicants. However, preference is given to scientists at the early stages of their research careers.

SMART Fellowships are not intended to:

•  Support attendance at conferences or workshops.
•  Extend previous fellowship visits.
•  Provide bridge funding before or after another fellowship programme.

New Two-Stage Application Process

ICGEB has introduced a new application procedure consisting of two stages.

Stage 1: Fellowship Expression of Interest

Application Period: 1 July – 14 August 2026

Applicants must:

• Select their preferred host laboratory.
•  Identify a prospective supervisor.
•  Submit an online Expression of Interest through the ICGEB Service Gateway.

Only applicants who complete this stage successfully will proceed to the next phase.

Stage 2: Full Fellowship Application

Application Period: 16 – 30 September 2026

Applicants selected by their prospective supervisors will receive an invitation to submit the complete fellowship application through the ICGEB Service Gateway.

Required Documents

Applicants will need to upload the following documents:

•  Full Curriculum Vitae (CV)
•  CV of the Head of the Receiving Laboratory (including publications)
•  Valid passport or national identity card

Applicants should also ensure that both the Home Laboratory and Receiving Laboratory complete their respective sections before the application deadline. Applications lacking confirmation from both laboratories will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by the ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee based on:

•  Scientific excellence of the proposed project
• Applicant’s academic and research achievements
•  Expected career impact
•  Benefits to both home and host institution
• Suitability of the host laboratory
• Availability of expertise and research facilities
•  Strength of the collaboration between institutions

Additional institutional support from the host laboratory, such as accommodation or supplementary living support, may positively influence the evaluation.

Bench Fee Support

A monthly **USD 500 bench fee** may be awarded to the host laboratory for laboratory consumables directly related to the approved research project.

Eligible expenses include:

• Laboratory reagents
•  Chemicals
•  Cell culture materials
•  PCR and qPCR consumables
•  Laboratory plastics and glassware
•  Pipettes and laboratory consumables

The funding cannot be used for equipment purchases, travel expenses, administrative costs, office supplies, software, or institutional overheads.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to allow both laboratories sufficient

How to Apply

Interested applicant time to complete the required confirmations.

Applicants should carefully read the official application guidelines before beginning the online application process through the ICGEB Service Gateway. For detailed guidelines, application forms, FAQs, and additional fellowship resources, visit the official ICGEB fellowship 

Conclusion

The ICGEB Arturo Falaschi SMART Fellowship Programme 2026 offers an outstanding opportunity for early-career researchers to gain international research experience while strengthening scientific collaboration across ICGEB Member States. Through generous financial support, advanced laboratory training, and international networking opportunities, the fellowship enables researchers to enhance their expertise and contribute meaningfully to scientific innovation in the life sciences. Eligible scientists are encouraged to prepare their applications early and take advantage of this prestigious international research opportunity.

Discover more fellowship opportunities like this on the OFY Webpage.