EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–27: Open Year-Round

EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026–27

EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed for excellent early-career researchers who want to undertake postdoctoral research through international mobility. The fellowship can support research for up to two years and connects awardees to the wider EMBO Fellows network and leadership-development activities.

This CareerAidHub page now focuses on the currently open Postdoctoral Fellowship rather than mixing unrelated EMBO grants with different eligibility rules and deadlines.

Eligibility

• Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent by the start of the fellowship.
• If the PhD has already been awarded at the time of application, it must normally have been obtained within the previous two years.
• Applicants need at least one first-author research paper accepted or published in an international peer-reviewed journal; EMBO also accepts a qualifying first-author refereed preprint under its stated rules.
• International mobility is mandatory.
• Applications to return to the country where the PhD was obtained are not considered under the standard rules.
• Applicants generally cannot return to the PhD laboratory or work again with the PhD supervisor.
• Researchers who have already started in the proposed host laboratory must satisfy EMBO’s host-country residence limits.

Host-lab and reapplication rules

A host laboratory may support only one candidate per selection round. Agree the lab’s support before investing in a full proposal.

EMBO will no longer permit reapplications for submissions after 22 January 2027 at 14:00 CET. This change takes effect from the Autumn 2027 selection round. Check the current rules if you have applied before.

Funding and Fellowship Benefits

EMBO does not publish one universal cash amount for every host country. The applicable stipend or salary framework depends on the fellowship location and current EMBO rates.

How to Apply

1. Identify a suitable host laboratory and supervisor in a country that satisfies EMBO’s mobility rules.
2. Read the current fellowship guidelines and complete the eligibility check.
3. Prepare the research proposal and application information in the EMBO online system.
4. Arrange the required two references and receiving-institute acceptance.
5. Submit a fully completed application and confirm completion before the relevant cutoff.

Complete the application before the cutoff

Creating an account does not enter you into an evaluation round. EMBO requires the online information, two references and receiving-institute acceptance. You must also confirm that the application is complete.

The completion date is the reference date for eligibility and evaluation. Applications completed after the cutoff move to the next round.

• Check your degree and residence dates.
• Confirm the host lab can support your application.
• Ask referees early and monitor their submissions.
• Check that host acceptance is complete.
• Review the form and retain confirmation.

The checklist is CareerAidHub preparation advice. The live EMBO system and guidelines control submission.

Prepare a focused research proposal

CareerAidHub advice: Explain the question you want to answer and why it matters. Then describe your methods, likely risks and the resources you need.

Show how the host adds skills or expertise to your development. Make your own contribution clear, especially where the project links to existing work. Also, explain how the plan differs from your doctorate.

Use specific evidence rather than broad claims of novelty. Distinguish pilot results from expected outcomes. Finally, check that the proposed work is feasible within the funding period.

Career Accelerator support

For profile review, career mapping, academic CVs, cover letters and research statements, explore the Career Accelerator Program. You can also email coaxialedu@gmail.com.

CareerAidHub is independent of EMBO. Support does not guarantee funding.