Overview of the SMART Fellowship Programme
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) launched the Scientific Mobility for Advanced Research Training (SMART) Fellowship as an international initiative in 2014. This competitive program supports short-term research visits by early-career scientists from ICGEB Member States to laboratories in other participating countries. Emphasizing scientific advancement through knowledge exchange, SMART is a cornerstone program promoting South-South mobility.
The ICGEB SMART Fellowship enables early-career researchers from Member States to access cutting-edge research training in fellow laboratories abroad. Designed to enhance South-South collaboration, this prestigious program supports mobility, scientific excellence, and institutional capacity building across life sciences.
The fellowship’s primary research is within the life sciences, which includes areas such as molecular biology, biomedicine, biotechnology (industrial, agricultural, and environmental), and related translational sciences. The aim is to foster skill development, enhance institutional capabilities, and facilitate long-term collaborations between the sending and host institutions (ICGEB Official Website).
Eligibility Criteria
To consider applicants for the SMART Fellowship, the selection committee requires them to meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: The selection committee accepts only those applicants who are nationals of an ICGEB Member State.
- Academic Background: Applicants must hold at least an MSc degree. They should either be pursuing a Ph.D. program or have completed a Ph.D. withinthe last five years.
- Employment: Applicants must currently work at a research institution within their home country when they apply.
- Host Laboratory: Applicants must choose a host laboratory located in a different ICGEB Member State. The committee allows mobility to Italy, India, or South Africa only if applicants intend to use techniques unavailable in ICGEB labs in those countries.
- Career Stage: Although the program targets early-career researchers, the committee does not enforce any formal age limit.
Financial Support and Benefits
Selected fellows under the SMART programme are entitled to a comprehensive funding package designed to support research and living expenses:
- Monthly Stipend: Fellows receive between USD 800 and USD 1,500 per month, depending on seniority and the cost of living in the host country.
- Travel Support: Round-trip economy-class airfare between the home and host countries will be covered.
- Health Insurance: Fellows are provided with medical insurance during the fellowship period.
- Bench Fee: The host institution receives up to USD 500 per month to cover laboratory consumables. This amount should be used for reagents, disposables, and related materials. It cannot be spent on equipment, administrative costs, or travel.
Note: The program does
Duration and Application Timeline
The fellowship supports research visits ranging from three to nine months. Fellows should coordinate their start dates with host laboratories, considering logistical and administrative preparations, especially for visa applications.
- Application Deadline (2025 Call): September 2025
- Recommended Start Date: Ideally four months post-submission to accommodate visa processing.
- Next Cycle: Applications for the following cycle are expected to open in September 2026. Updates will be posted as new calls are announced.
Application Requirements: Document Checklist
Applicants must submit a complete application package through the ICGEB Service Gateway. Required documents include:
- Completed Online Application (via ICGEB portal)
- Curriculum Vitae should including a list of publications
- CV of the Host Laboratory Supervisor
- Scanned Copy of Passport or National ID
- Contact Details of home and host supervisors
- Two Reference Letters, submitted online directly by referees
You must finalize all components, including the sections to be completed by supervisors, before the deadline. The committee will reject incomplete applications as ineligible.
Evaluation and Selection
Process
Applications are assessed by the ICGEB Fellowships Committee based on several parameters:
- Scientific Merit: Quality and feasibility of the proposed research.
- Academic Track Record: Prior academic achievements, publications, and experience.
- Institutional Impact: Expected benefit of the fellowship to both the sending and host institutions.
- Host Laboratory Support: Preference is given to hosts that offer additional support, such as local accommodation or laboratory assistance.
The selection process is transparent and merit-based. Only one application per candidate is permitted per cycle.
Obligations Upon Completion
Once the fellowship period concludes, awardees are required to:
- Submit a Scientific Report: Co-authored by the fellow and the host supervisor, summarizing the research conducted.
- Provide a Financial Report: Detailing how the bench fee was utilized by the host institution.
This ensures accountability and promotes documentation of knowledge transfer.
Unique Features of the SMART Fellowship
What distinguishes SMART from other mobility fellowships is its strategic focus on South-South collaboration. The program has funded 28 fellowships to date, including:
- Brazil to Uruguay: Training in redox biochemistry techniques.
- Nigeria to Côted’Ivoire: Studies on antimicrobial resistance.
- Nigeria to Pakistan: Postdoctoral research on bacterial bioplastics.
- Argentina to Slovakia: Development of live-cell fluorescence microscopy for plant studies.
- Tunisia to South Africa: Forensic genetics involving Y-chromosome analysis.
- Argentina to Cuba: Investigations in plant-pathogen interactions.
These examples highlight the programme’s broad geographical reach and thematic diversity. Fellows often report substantial benefits for both career progression and institutional innovation.
Step-by-Step Application Instructions
- Create an Account: Register on the ICGEB Service Gateway. Ensure personal details match your identification documents.
- Initiate Application: Select the SMART Fellowship and complete the eight core sections: personal data, academic background, research proposal, motivation, supervisor details, attachments, and confirmations.
- Prepare Project Documents:
- Project Abstract (max 200 words)
- Detailed Research Proposal (max 1,000 words)
- Specific Aims (max 200 words)
- Short Literature Review (max 200 words)
- Motivation Statement (max 200 words)
- Upload Attachments: All documents must be in PDF format.
- Confirm Supervisor Submissions: Both the home and host supervisors must complete their assigned online sections.
- Submit: Once all sections are finalized, submit the application before the stated deadline.
Applicants will receive acknowledgment of submission. Selection notifications follow post-review.
Best Practices for a Successful Application
To strengthen your application:
- Start Early: Give referees and supervisors ample time to submit their inputs.
- Tailor Your Research: Align your project goals with the host lab’s expertise and infrastructure.
- Highlight Transferable Skills: Emphasize how new techniques will benefit your home institution.
- Choose Experienced Referees: Referees should be familiar with your academic and research background.
- Observe Word Limits: Concise and well-structured writing is critical.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The ICGEB SMART Fellowship is an impactful mobility scheme fostering scientific capacity and cross-border cooperation among developing countries. By targeting early-career researchers and emphasizing skills transfer, the program builds lasting institutional linkages and enhances regional innovation ecosystems.
As global challenges demand localized scientific solutions, programs like SMART serve as vital instruments for inclusive development and capacity building. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare their proposals well in advance of the September 2025 deadline.
Program Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
| Program Name | ICGEB SMART Fellowship (Scientific Mobility for Advanced Research Training) |
| Host Country | ICGEB Member States (excluding home country) |
| Funded By | International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) |
| Duration | 3 to 9 months |
| Study Mode | Full-time, in-person research training |
| Eligibility | Early-career researchers (MSc, PhD, or postdoc within 5 years) |
| Financial Support | Monthly stipend, travel, insurance, bench fee |
| Fields of Study | Life sciences, biotechnology, biomedicine, agriculture, environment |
| Deadline | 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 |
| Official Website | Click here |
Reference Links:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The ICGEB SMART Fellowship supports early-career researchers from Member States who seek short-term training in life science laboratories abroad.
Apply through the ICGEB Service Gateway with all required documents, including CVs, project proposal, and reference letters submitted online.
The fellowship duration ranges from 3 to 9 months, depending on the project scope and host institution agreement.
It covers a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a bench fee for laboratory consumables.
Yes, PhD students and recent PhD graduates within five years of completion are eligible to apply.
Only nationals of ICGEB Member States can apply, with placements at labs in other eligible Member States.
The next expected application deadline is in September; updated timelines will be published on the official website.
ICGEB evaluates scientific merit, research impact, collaboration strength, and institutional capacity before selecting candidates.
Applicants must submit an online form, CVs, passport copy, research plan, and two reference letters directly through the portal.
No, each applicant can submit only one application per cycle for the SMART Fellowship program.
