Fully Funded EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships in Europe 2027

Applications are now open for the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships, which support internationally mobile postdoctoral researchers in Europe and around the world. These fellowships provide full funding to exceptional early-career researchers who have recently completed their PhD, enabling them to conduct independent research projects in world-class laboratories across Europe and globally.

The programme is fully funded and open to all nationalities without any application fee. It accepts applications twice a year with no fixed application deadlines applications may be submitted at any time through the online system, but they enter one of two evaluation rounds depending on the submission date. You can check out more Internships, BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key details:

• Degree Level: Postdoctoral
• Host Country: Europe
• Application Deadline: Friday 22 January 2027
• Open for: All nationalities
• Nationality Restrictions: None

What This Scholarship Offers:

The EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship is a highly prestigious, fully funded opportunity that enables postdoctoral researchers to gain advanced research experience in leading international laboratories while building a strong foundation for a successful independent career.

Participants receive:

• A generous stipend or net salary (depending on the host country) that covers living costs in the chosen location
• Travel and relocation allowance to move to the host institution (including for family members)
• Access to extensive professional development through the EMBO Fellows’ Network and free online Laboratory Leadership Courses
• Support for parental leave and extensions (fully covered in host countries)
• Child daycare allowance (in non-EMBC countries) and dependent child allowance
• Opportunities to participate in the annual EMBO Fellows’ Meeting in Heidelberg
• Membership in the global EMBO Fellows’ Online Network platform for career advice, networking, and job opportunities

The scholarship stands out because it is fully funded, flexible in duration and location, and designed to promote genuine international mobility.

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Eligibility Criteria:

Main eligibility criteria

• Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent at the start of the fellowship.
• Applicants who already hold a PhD at the time of application are eligible to apply only if they obtained it during the two years prior to the date the application is submitted.
• Applicants must have at least one first author publication (research paper) accepted in or published in an international peer reviewed journal at the time of application. A first author preprint with public in-depth peer reviews from an independent service (e.g., Peer Community In or Review Commons) is also accepted.
• All applications must involve movement between countries.
• Applications to the country where the PhD was obtained, or to return to a laboratory where the candidate has worked for more than six months, or to work again with the PhD supervisor are not eligible.
• Candidates who have already started working in the host laboratory can apply only if they have been living in the host country for less than six months at the time of application.
• Candidates can submit only one application per selection round and at one host laboratory.
• Projects that are a direct continuation of the PhD work are not eligible.
• Reapplication is permitted only once (effective from Autumn 2027, only one application is allowed).

Exceptions

Exceptions to the eligibility rules are made on a case-by-case basis for applicants with extraordinary personal circumstances (e.g., parental leave, severe illness, or military service). The Fellowship Office must be contacted before submission.

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Important notes:

• One of the reference letters must be from the PhD co-supervisor or supervisor and none from referees at the receiving institute.
• Applications are only considered complete when all required documents are submitted and the candidate confirms completion.
• Registration alone is not enough the full application must be submitted to enter the selection process.
• For the latest version of the guidelines and to start the application, visit the official EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships page.

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Selection Process:

All applications first undergo pre-screening by the EMBO Fellowship Office for eligibility. Eligible applications are then assessed by the Fellowship Committee.

The selection process includes:

• Pre-screening: Review of a condensed application form (summary of achievements, proposed work, host lab justification, and reference letters).
• Interview: Top-ranked applicants (approximately 20–25%) are invited for a 90-minute video interview with an expert in their field.
• Final Committee Meeting: Applications are discussed and ranked, with final funding decisions made by the full Fellowship Committee.

No individual feedback is provided. All applicants are informed of the outcome by email within two weeks of the committee meeting.

Research Integrity:

EMBO expects responsible conduct of research from all awardees. All research activities must comply with national and institutional ethical standards. In line with this, every EMBO Postdoctoral Fellow is required to complete an online course on research integrity.

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How to Apply:

The application is submitted entirely online through the EMBO application system.

Step-by-step process

1. Register for an EMBO online account.
2. Complete the application form (scientific summary, proposed research, host laboratory justification, publication list, etc.).
3. Submit two reference letters (one must be from the PhD supervisor) and the acceptance letter from the host institute.
4. Review all information carefully and submit.

Applications must be written in English. Figures and tables are not allowed. No application fee is charged.

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